A Merlin hurtling overhead in pursuit of a party of Meadow Pipits on the outskirts of Penrhyncoch was a big surprise on my late afternoon dog walk. On the way back at dusk, a 15 minute watch at the edge of Allt Dderw, the woodland to the south of the Penrhyn road, was rewarded by 3 Woodcock flighting out to feed (about half an hour after sunset).