Yesterday, about 7:30 PM, Scout (a dog) and I were heading out for a
walk. A flash of pointy wings and lightning speed above us, and then
perched in a tree - a Merlin! It stayed for less than 1 minute, and
during that time flew out twice to chase something. It was very restless,
the entire time twitching and moving while it was perched. We had one a
few times last winter (in my Madrona neighborhood, at 35th Ave. and
Columbia St. - the neighbors there have 2 huge redwoods in their yard
with dead tops to perch on), so maybe this means winter's just around the
corner again (better get your skis out).

Mike Smith
whimbrel at u.washington.edu