Getting Cooler

Tuesday, and still no significant rain, just barely a couple of incidents of brief light drizzle. Clouds reverted to altocumulus, winds in the west and north west. It's getting definitely cooler though. I've been going out in a teashirt and blouse up till now but yesterday dusk was cool enough for a sweater or jacket. I've only started wearing a jacket on our evening walks over the past week.

There's a trail leading from the cistern area, up through the eucalyptus grove, behind (east of) the old orchard, through a grove of cypress and then up to the top of windsurfer hill. Usually we don't take it, or take it part way to check out the east field and the little olive grove there by the security fence. Day before yesterday we saw adult male gazelle cross this trail and head east into the field where he soon vanished behind the dry stone walls there. Last couple of evenings (between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m.) we've noticed single gazelle in the woods right by the valley road, and crossing valley road from the west slope right behind the buildings. They probably head up there for damp grazing and water.

Yesterday we noticed a hornless but somewhat knobbly headed young gazelle actually on the valley road as early as 4.40 p.m. it crossed to the west side, then crossed back and headed into the pines, making its way with quickly alternating half walk/half trot gait, (nervous and ready to put on speed, but not wanting to move faster than necessary, conserving strength) It seemed a little lame, dragging its left hind hoof slightly. We saw it emerge a little later from the north valley pines and make its way to that favourite grazing spot in the middle of gazelle fields under the single trees by the dry stone walls.

No more wagtails heard or seen yet but the usual yellow vented bulbul calls, both harsh and melodious today, sunbird in the cape honeysuckle quite vocal and a senegal dove coo briefly this morning. House sparrows, Hooded crow (flocking on windsurfer hill). Greenfinches and collared doves in the thick pines by the bunker ruins relatively quiet. Calls of Syrian woodpeckers and Jackdaws. Blackbirds, some graceful warbler calls and feral pigeons about. Hoopoe perched middle and high eucalyptus look-out corner