Greetings Tweetsters,

This past Wednesday (September 18) I noticed for the first time this
post-summer season, a large Merlin perched in a tree in our neighborhood
(north end Seattle, just south of Green Lake). A tree frequented by a Merlin
last winter as well. Yesterday (September 20) witnessed a large Merlin at
Green Lake Park. Perched in a cottonwood. A crow came in and screamed at it.
The Merlin spent the next three minutes chasing various crows around and in
between trees, before returning to the same perch. This time no crows showed
up.
Don't know if the Merlin at both locales was one and the same, I'll have to
take a much better look at it in order to rule it out or keep the possibility
open.
Nice to see these "winter birds" back though.
Last winter at some point someone asked about numbers of wintering Merlins. I
don't remember who asked. If he or she reads this post; are you still
interested and would you like me to pass on sightings?

Respond either on Tweeters or personally.

Martin Muller, Seattle
martinmuller at msn.com