Merlin
Falco columbarius
Wingspan 60-65cm

Britain's smallest raptor. Male (A) has blue-grey upperparts and buffish, streaked and spotted underparts. Female (B) has brown upperparts and pale underparts showing large, brown spots. Seldom soars but more usually seen flying low over ground in dashing flight, in pursuit of prey such as meadow pipit. Perches on rocks and fencepost for long periods. Breeds on upland moors in Wales, N England, Scotland and Ireland. In winter, many birds move S to heaths and coastal marshes.