Female Merlin?

[gray]

I was out and about high park today and came across this beautiful bird. I think it is a female merlin - first time for me to see this bird and it was pretty exciting! can anyone confirm my suspicions? and do they ever over winter here? i thought they overwintered quite a bit south.

thanks

[BC]

Looks good for female Merlin. Possibly, the same bird I had in the north/central area of the park about three weeks ago. I'm not an expert on their migratory habits but, in my experience, there are a few around every winter.

[gray]

Thanks so much for the confirmation, and the knowledge that they sometimes lurk around in the winter. Such a pretty bird.