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Steart Marshes - 2 May 2014

Steart Marshes - 2 May 2014 (early morning)

1 Merlin (adult female) - swept in, flushed and attacked an adult male Pied Wagtail from an island in the large lagoon. The Wagtail bounced around in the stiff breeze and managed to avoid repeated stoops by the falcon. Amazingly it was singing/calling throughout, perhaps a sign to show the Merlin how fit it was? The falcon was determined and dived at the Wagtail at least 15 times without success. The intended prey then dropped down into a Hawthorn tree and the Merlin landed very briefly on the top before dropping down just out of sight. The outcome of the chase was undetermined.

2 Peregrine (adult pair) - roosting close together on a pylon. Later the female was seen flying, stirring up a group of 15+ Jackdaws near Combwich and returning to perch on a pylon.

4 Kestrel (two pairs?) - one adult male displaying and chasing a female around over the marshes. Later, another male was seen displaying in the distance with a female hover-hunting nearby.

10 Common Buzzard - 4 on the ground or low perches and the rest soaring singles and pairs.

Also:

2 Greenshank
55 Dunlin
9 Ringed Plover
2 Lapwing
6 Curlew
80+ Barn Swallow
30+ Sand Martin
20+ House Martin
10 Swift - moved through in groups of 4, 2 and 4.
5 Raven
1 Reed Bunting
1 Whitethroat
2 Stock Dove
8+ Little Egret

NPW