Temperatures in the high 20's last night caused ice to form on our streets and sidewalks, and I was content to stay hold up in my den. But at 8:30 the sun burst out in full force, pulling me out to get in a walk and check out the birds. As I stepped out my front door this is the first bird I saw high in a tree across the street. What a lift to my dismal winter spirits. We saw him yesterday a few blocks away as well as a female in a nearby park. Making yesterday our first ever two Merlin day.
We enjoy watching Merlins every winter, and this marks the forth winter for us to watch them in Salemtowne where we live. Their seasonal presence is easy to notice because they are gone the rest of the year, traveling north to breed. They are a small member of the Falcon Family, and extremely fast in flight, which allows them to catch a small bird in flight. Salemtowne makes a good area to hang out in for the winter for a Merlin because of the numerous backyard feeders which provide a good supply of little song birds.
A spectacular treat!
ReplyDelete