Re: Merlin Falcon Mammoth Lakes


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Re: Merlin Falcon Mammoth Lakes

Observers: Donna Willey
Email: basina@verizon.net
Verification:
Remote Name: 71.118.25.52
Date: 02/03/2008
Time: 10:50 AM -0500

Sighting

Last year at this time I was sure we had a merlin (although not being an expert on Merlin's I could be wrong). It came after the small birds at my feeder and did catch one and landed on my driveway where I watched it from an upstairs window. It proprietarily held its' small catch and looked around as if checking for anything amiss and then with bird in talons took off. When I went down to look at spot where he had been all that was left was some blood and featherrs. I think this is one of the drawbacks of bird feeders d/t the congregation of small birds at feeders. However, though I watched for the return of the merlin I never did see him again. What I recall is he was a dark phase merlin almost black.