I met up with Mark Penne, Fred Fearne, and Malc Curtin this afternoon and did some birding around Hale. We started off at Halebank and had a look through the masses of gulls, but nothing of note was seen; only a Peregrine perched up on the bridge briefly. Moving on to Hale Park, the firecrest was heard again in the overhanging canopy but was not seen and then departed after a good hour's search.
A visit to Carr Lane produced 7 Grey Partridge, and a stunning male Merlin sat out in a field.
No Water pipit could be found on the pools, and nothing of note was seen at Pickerings pastures on the way home. A quiet afternoon birding, but nice to catch up with the lads. #LOCALBIGYEAR