Birds around The Abingtons

Anne D-N has been watching Stock Doves in her garden recently.  A single bird was heard calling all through February, and Anne now reports that a pair have begun to visit her garden daily! Very dainty birds compared with the bolder and more chunky Woodpigeon.

Peter Dawson got this fabulous view of a female Sparrowhawk feeding on a Pigeon or Collared Dove in his garden recently.

Jennifer H spotted a Little Egret on the river behind the cricket club shed from the road bridge.

and Andy M reported what he believes to be a male Merlin - a small, slim falcon with a slate-grey back and narrow, sharply pointed wings - at the top of the hill south of the Land Settlements. Sadly there was no time to take a picture before it flew off.