Just returned from Etherow Country Park where at 3.15, unbelievably, a swift started to hawk over the water of Compstall mill lodges. I watched it for the next 15 minutes when it was almost continually in sight at ranges down to about 30 meters. I was waiting for it to drop low enough to be able to pick out any features, but if only did this as a large bird flew in to harrass it. I could then see it was light brown (something similar to sand martin). Unfortunately and tragically, the bird harrassing it was actually chasing it for a reason. It turned out to be a sparrowhawk which after ten seconds plucked it from the air and made off into the woods with it. To say the word 'b@*#ard'' passed my lips is putting it bluntly. What a wasted opportunity for everyone, I'm so sorry. Anyone interested in organising a search party in order to recover feathers for possible DNA analysis would be most welcomed.



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 21st of March 2009 04:43:45 PM