Winter site fidelity in merlins
Warblerick@aol.com
Wed, 26 Nov 1997 22:40:26 -0500 (EST)
I had a Merlin perched in a tree across from my shop today (the exact same
tree where I had one all winter in '94-95). It was perched on a limb with two
crows in the same tree. The merlin took off, followed by one of the crows.
The merlin outdistanced the crow, then flew high above it, followed by a
quick stoop onto the crow. After that the merlin disappeared, until later in
the day when I saw it again.
Around 4:15 I was watching a group of starlings perched in another nearby
tree, when suddenly they flew out from it and around the tree in a tight
cluster before landing again in the tree. Just then the Merlin flew by in
pursuit of a Rock Dove. They flew behind a house , and I lost sight of them,
but shortly I again saw the Merlin as it headed off towards the west (without
the dove).
This (or another) Merlin spent the entire winter of 94-95 here, from early
November through late March, and gave me unique opportunities to watch its
behavior, feeding habits and flight style. I hope this one decides to spend
the winter too!