Merlins near Big Pine

Observers: Tom Heindel
Email: tjheindelataoldotcom
Verification: MONO
Remote Name: 207.200.116.69
Date: 10/08/2007
Time: 04:54 PM -0400

Sighting

On 8 Oct there was an adult male Merlin at Fish Springs and an immature on Steward Lane at the Owens River. These are the first of fall that we know of in Inyo County. They were small falcons,both of the nominate "columbarius" race, slightly larger than kestrels, with barred tails. The adult male was blue gray over the back and the immature was heavily streaked below and brown above. A Townsend's Warbler was seen at Tinemaha Reservoir as well. Based on more distinctive streaking on the flanks, it probably was an immature male.