A winter bird survey at Castlemartin Corse this morning got off to a good start with a Merlin splitting off an individual from a flock of 70 or so Linnets. The ensuing chase with numerous twists and turns was a joy to watch (though perhaps not so enjoyable for the Linnet)! The end result of the chase was not seen.
Later I had a close view of another, or the same, Merlin and a Short-eared Owl was seen over the reed bed and marshy areas. Lapwing and Golden Plover numbers have been very low on the Corse this winter so it was good to see 900 Lapwing and 100 Golden Plover near the road to Castlemartin. Following the recent rain there is now plenty of water by the reed bed which has attracted wildfowl with good numbers of Wigeon, Shoveller, Teal and Mallard.
