10th August MERLIN

Afternoon out with DJS, a juv Sparrowhawk hunger calling and 2 Nuthatches and a Dipper were the best we had in the Hebden Bridge area. On the way back however we had incredible close up views of a juvenile Merlin sat on a road side fence post. The weather was terrible thick drizzle and bad light, but I managed to take over 60 photos. We had to move the car twice for traffic and return but the bird paid no attention, it sat there within 12 yards for some 10 minutes before departing. We followed it down the road but only found (wait for it) a covey of 40+ Red-legged Partridge, obviously released birds for shooting. On the way back over Fly Flats two Ravens gave good views. Not bad for a missrable day in Calderdale. On returning home I recieved a phone call about another unknown pair of Merlins which were seen yesterday at a different location with their 3 young all mobbing a Peregrine.