Merlin

Driving down towards Llanthony from Hay Bluff, a male merlin flew ahead of us, low to the ground, sparrow hawk fashion. I slowed and was rewarded by the sight of the bird perched on top of the roadside hedge. Differentiated from the sparrow hawk by its size. this small bird was probably hoping to flush out a chaffinch or some similar prey.A lovely and sighting and unexpected at this time of year. This bird had clearly decided to over winter amongst the mountains but down in the valley rather than on the tops where it will spend the summer.