7th October

Out and about with DJS today, 2 Ravens and two Wheatears were picked up on route to our destination. On arrival the first bird we saw was a Merlin hunting a Meadow Pipit, it must have had at least 40 attempts at catching its quarry before both birds disappeared into the distance. We then checked the woods for finches and had 35 Redpolls, a handful of Siskins and the usual Goldfinches and Chaffinches. At least 10 Kestrels were picked up today along with 3 sightings of Buzzard, 2 Sightings of Peregrine, another Merlin and another two Ravens. 6 LBBGs moved south and 2 Herring Gulls went west, 12 Grey Partridge and at least 30 Red Grouse were also present. It wasn’t until 6PM that we picked up the star bird, a ringtail Hen Harrier coming off one moor and travelling slowly on to another. A great afternoons birding.