Date: 10/3/12 9:42 am
From: Warblerick <ricksussman1955...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Yard migrants, including Merlin


Afternoon all,
It was a rather quiet morning on my walk, with a Scarlet Tanager the only good migrant. But about 10:45 I stepped outside my shop to get some fresh air (was stripping chairs), exiting through the garage door rather than my usual side door. I always have my bins on when I take breaks, and today was lucky enough to see a dark falcon (MERLIN) whipping across the front yard, making for the treeline behind my neighbors. After a bit of chaos among the jays and flickers that were there, I saw the falcon perched in the top of a tree, being harrassed by the flickers and jays. It didn't stay there long, however, and took off heading towards my backyard. I went back in the shop and stepped out the back door, where I did not see the bird. But seconds later I saw it whipping across the treetops back towards where it came from. Really cool to watch its powered flight,speed and agility from my back steps, as it once again perched in a tree along back, alternating with quick stoops at the harassing flickers and jays. I managed to go in the house and grab my scope, since it seemed to be staying in the treetops, but soon it flew off behind the trees, where I lost sight of it. It must've headed further up the road behind us, as I saw lots of ruckus in the trees there, but couldn't relocate the bird. The whole episode lasted less than 15 minutes, and I felt very lucky to be in the right place at the right time!

Also had my FOS Golden-crowned Kinglet, lots of E. Phoebes, lots of both jays and flickers, plus a pair of Pileated WP's, many,many bluebirds, a single Sharp-shinned Hawk, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks, and a lingering male RT Hummingbird at the side feeder (yesterday too). 26 species in the yard so far today!

Gotta love migration...

Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD

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