Magic on the Edge

An audience in Broomhill Hide was enthralled by the show put on, at 10.50am, by a Merlin as it pursued its' passerine prey over the eastern end of Wombwell Ings. Just as the LBJ seemed to make its' escape into cover another Merlin joined the chase but the end of this high drama was not seen as all three birds disappeared into the trees( the wings ?). The supporting cast on Broomhill Flash included 12 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 5  Mute Swan, 30 Gadwall, 28 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 3+ Snipe, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and a flock of c50 Fieldfare.

Bolton Ings Late AM- A flock of c500 Golden Plover flew overhead  as we walked onto the western end of Bolton Ings. On the open water were 18 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan+4 Juv, 80+ Greylag, 35 Pochard,  33 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Duck, 10 Shoveler, 1 Goldeneye, and 11 Common Gull. Also present were 3+ Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green  Woodpecker, several Fieldfare and Redwing flocks,1 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. As we walked off Bolton, a brief view of a Buzzard provided a fine end to a good raptor day.