Raptors

There are some trees that I always look at if I’m near them. I have my patch, the raptors have theirs. Standard small falcon silhouette above. I’ve never seen a Merlin on this tree, so I had to get closer to double-check. American Kestrel male, a regular up there.

Here he is again. On another perch this time, a linden. And not just any linden.

Not just the same tree, but the same spot. This is a favored tree of Merlins (it’s been at least two years now, is it more than one Merlin?).

The Merlin took off as this Red-tailed Hawk came into the tree. Earlier this month, the Merlin flew off as a Coopers landed in the tree.

Some more of this Merlin. Stropping bill on the branch right above.