I had a look around Astley moss 12.30 to 15.30 today but no sign of the Merlin. Plenty of ; Tree sparrows Goldfinches Greenfinches Yellowhammers all with young between Rindle road and the moss.
In Rindle woods 3 GSWoodpeckers 2 Treecreepers 1 Nuthatch 1 Kestrel sat in tree
On the moss Lots of Swallows over the pools Willow and Sedge Warblers Whitethroats Chiffchaff Reed buntings MPipits Pheasent Oystercatcher and Buzzard flying over
Also a very large Ginger tom cat sat in a silver birch tree in the centre of the moss, I think that he was birdwatching as well
An adult male merlin was sat on the telephone post in the small meadow on the left side of Moss lane just passed the first house near the junction of Rindle road. It stayed very still for about 5 minutes until a Kestrel sat on the telephone wires a little further down , it saw the merlin in seconds and quickly chased it off in the direction of Astley Moss.
