Merlin magic

Two tundra swans at Klarningen again this afternoon but no sign of the pink-footed goose.

The feeders in the garden produced two nice birds today in the form of a male redpoll and a brambling, the latter have been strangely scarce this month and this was my first. Driving back from Ängelholm I diverted to look at Brandsvig. This 'variably wet' wetland has had plenty of water this winter and levels are up. Conditions that had attracted a big flock of 95 whooper swans and two tundra swans. I checked the rocky stream above Margretetorp next picking up three dippers but no sign of any grey wagtails.

Klarningen was great, producing two year-ticks. It seemed quiet at the start but things kept popping up. Two tundra swans flew in, just after I arrived, along with 35 whooper swans. Duck numbers were well up with 160 teal stealing the show, but also 125 mallard, nine wigeon and eight shelduck. Whilst watching a hunting kestrel, the unmistakeable shape of a charging male merlin disappeared off into Laholm kommun. I prayed for it to return and ten minutes later it buzzed the tower. Smashing little bird, hopefully it will stay around and fatten up for a while on Klarningen's skylarks before heading north to breed. Being sure of covering this large site for waders during a short visit is never guaranteed and it took me some time to notice the green sandpiper in the back corner, my earliest by four days and maybe the first in NW Skåne this year? It did not hang around long before heading off. On the way home I dropped in to check Petersberg, still icy here but the first song thrush of the year was welcome indeed.