Linnets One, Kestrel Nil

I was at the Winsel Civic Amenity Site (we used to call them council tips) yesterday and saw a kestrel hovering nearby. A swallow took exception and harried the kestrel, to little effect. However, a passing flock of about 200 linnets noted the swallow's actions and decided to join in, individuals peeling away from the flock in the manner of Battle of Britain fighters peeling from a formation, until the whole flock was circling the kestrel at very close range: so close that it looked like one of those bait balls of fish one sees on TV nature programmes. The kestrel was so confused and discomfited by this that it almost fell out of the sky, driven down to hedge-top level it finally escaping by flying off down the hedge line. The linnets left jubilantly and noisily, followed by the swallow.