A distant photo, hard cropped and lightened as at first I thought this was a Kestrel and now after seeing the facial markings I'm not sure; is it wishful thinking for possible Merlin; I've not seen many before to compare it to ?
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Regards, Hazel
Google Lens comes up with Merlin as 1st suggestion Hazel :o)
And looks like pic in my book too... so a double thumbs up from me.... but then... as you know.... I'm rubbish (never seen one!)
Thanks PB, I checked with my birding friend who is a pretty experienced birder and he said it was definitely a Merlin so I'm pretty chuffed with this sighting today; don't see them very often ! Thanks again PB.
It is a female or juvenile Merlin.
Many thanks Cris, much appreciated