Subject: Re: Falcon Research Group
Date: Oct 07 00:20:59 1995
From: Jack Bowling - jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca


Dennis Paulson said -

>From what I have heard, there are a lot of breeding Merlins in southern BC
>(see Birds of BC for whatever has been published).

They are quite common...and also quite urbanized. About four or five pairs in old crow nests here in Prince George and in other major centres farther south.

>"Taiga" Merlins (Falco c. columbarius) should breed in the high mountains
>along the northern border of the state. Roger Lake looks like just the
>sort of place. "Black" Merlins (Falco columbarius suckleyi) should breed
>in the forests of the western WA lowlands. There's no doubt they are quite
>rare as breeding birds, but they're also very quiet around the nest and
>could be missed.

A couple of points here. 1) "Black" Merlins are just as likely to be seen around Prince George as "Taigas", at odds with commonly accepted wisdom that _suckleyi_ is coastal. 2) Merlins are only quiet up until the chicks have developed the strength to scream for food. Then a Merlin nest is one of the noisiest displays of birdlife you are wont to see anywhere.

- Jack





Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
CANADA
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca