Subject: Re: Possible merlin
Date: Dec 12 17:34:32 1994
From: Jim Elder - jime at eskimo.com




On Mon, 12 Dec 1994, Michelsen, Teresa wrote:

>
> At the top of our hemlock tree in Inglewood (NE end of Lake Washington) was
> a small falcon feeding on a smaller bird Saturday. After studying it for a
> long time in the scope, I believe it to have been a merlin.
>
> I would be interested in any comments on other merlins seen in the Seattle
> area or on my bird identification skills (or lack thereof). If I'm right,
> it would be a neat addition to my yard list!
>
> Teresa Michelsen
> King County, WA
> temi461 at ecy.wa.gov
>

This seems quite likely. I have seen Merlins quite a few times in
Seattle. In particular I have seen them in my neighborhood (Queen Anne)
and on the Aurora Bridge. I believe in every case they have been perched
on top of a tall conifer or, in the case of the bridge, a streetlight
pole. There is a larch tree on N. Garfield near 4th Ave. that they
particularly favor. Seems like the top of your hemlock would be an ideal
location.

Jim Elder (jime at eskimo.com)