Raptor Wednesday Thanksgiving Bonus

Stalking the wild raptor…

.. certainly is easier when it comes to Merlins. These small falcons (Falco columbarius) characteristically perch for long periods of time in prominent locations. I had time to close in on the odd shape in a distant tree and get around to have the sun behind me. The bird was unperturbed. It is much harder to sneak up on an Accipiter, so when I found a Sharp-shinned out in the open recently I was surprised.

Seeing this bird at this location made be wonder if my usual Merlin perch was barren. I kept my eye on the sky to see if this one, now behind me, flew ahead of me. It didn’t.

In fact, the topography of Green-Wood allowed me to see both Merlins at the same time. Above and below are pictures taken one right after the other. Two Merlins simultaneously visible from the same middle spot between them. They were about 600ft apart.

Here’s the second bird, and by now you should be recognizing this curved branch. This marks the third autumn I’ve seen Merlins atop this Linden tree.