Yesterday, Steve a regular visitor at the Welcome Center
pointed out a Merlin in the hemlock tree off of the observation deck. I rushed out and got this photo. I was particularly excited as this is the first
Merlin of the season to be reported to eBird in Lincoln County. Merlin spent their summers up in the northern
reaches of Canada and Alaska, and then migrate to the lower 48 for the winter.
They were last reported to eBird in Lincoln County in April. As members of the Falcon Family they are
extremely fast and like to make their catch of smaller birds in mid-flight. I am hoping this female Merlin will find the bird feeders here at the Welcome Center
productive and stick around for a while.
Perfect merlin profile :)
ReplyDeleteWe spotted the Merlin for a second time yesterday while hiking the Beaver Marsh Loop Trail. She was being harassed by a couple of Steller's Jays.
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