It might be worth spending a few minutes atleast, browsing the Manchester Birding website (which is not this forum), sections like the 'who's who' will give you an idea of who some of the people on this forum are
Steve, the county bird recorder is the one and only Judith Smith.
The county bird report can be obtained from a number of places in GM, Sale water park may still have some, and I believe a number of back issues are for sale on the main website.
This gives me the opportunity to reiterate the guidelines of this forum:
During this time of year, March onwards no locations of potential nesting locations of any raptors or owls should be posted, they are all very sought after by egg and chick thiefs, some of whom undoubtable read these posts.
Only the Manchester city centre and Bolton Town centre Peregrines should be discussed although the precise breeding location of the Manchester birds should not be revealed regardless.
No upland sightings of Merlins from March onwards should be posted although informing the county bird recorder would be adviseable and the same applies for any locations of owls.
Stuart, reading the bolton peregrine thread on the sightings page it would seem you have already visited Bolton to see Peregrines so I dont understand why you are asking?
And if you want to see Merlins get yourself to the coast in winter, Marshside RSPB is a good place.
Best place to see Peregrines is sat on the Arndale of the Arndale centre in Manchester city centre or in Bolton. Both have threads on the sightings page.
As for Merlin that will be more difficult as its the breeding season and the sites shouldnt be aired in public as you never know who could be reading, but the mosses are normally the best in winter.