Merlin

[cairnstone]

When the birds in the backyard freeze like statues I look up, way up. Today the threat was a Merlin. More often than not it's a Cooper's Hawk. I get Merlins here sporadically through the year.

[Bird Brain]

Cool photo.    I've only ever sighted one a couple of years ago at Lake Wabukayne.

[cairnstone]

At least 2 Merlins have been fairly regular this summer. This one having it's dinner over my back fence less than an hour ago. They are not attracted to the feeder birds at this time of year since I don't feed the birds in July and August. On eBird Merlins are considered rare here in summer months. They occur in my area in every month of the year. Uncommon yes but rare no.

[cairnstone]

The Merlin(s) have been increasing their visits to the dead tree pictured above for the last 2 months. I notice this every year around this time. They have been visiting that tree very frequently the last week or so. There's one there now as I type happily preening the last hour or so much to the chagrin of some warblers that arrived this morning.

[cairnstone]

Thousands and thousands of grackles have been passing through in the last 5 weeks. The odd one doesn't make it any further. A Merlin was perched in the backyard this morning waiting for passing grackles. It went after a group of them like a bolt of lightning. I didn't see the outcome but I am guessing it's well fed these days. Also, a behemoth of an immature Cooper's Hawk has been hanging around preying on grackles as well. I'm guessing it's a female because of her huge size.