A message on Tweeters over a week ago asked about information
regarding (wintering) Merlins in Bellingham. Since that posting,
I encountered a "Black Merlin" here in Bellingham.

Date/Time: Wed, Feb 19 at about 4:30 p.m.

Place: 12th and McKenzie in the Fairhaven District

Weather: lightly overcast with a rather strong, steady wind.

Comments (I ramble): When I came out of Win's Drive-In to catch a bus,
a few crows were gyrating by over the large condo building diagonally
across the street. At first glance, it appeared that one of them
remained behind, perched on the edge of a ledge. But the silhouette
(sp?) was different, and it was soon apparent that some other species was
present. I observed it (unfortunately without binoculars) for about five
minutes until my bus arrived.

Its back and tail was facing the street (me). Upperparts and tail were a
brownish-black, no noticeable light bars on its tail, which it flicked a
few times. Its large head turned this way and that attentively, but it
did not fly. The wind may have grounded its intended prey (starlings?).
>From its robust dimensions (for a small falcon), I judge it to be
(well fed) female. Needless to say, thoughts of it being a Perigrine F.
crossed my mind, but I just couldn't make it into one (e.g. no sharp face
pattern).

Open tide water areas are nearby, as is the sewage treatment plant at the
bottom of the hill, where I once saw a Merlin flying low to the ground on
another occassion a few years ago.

Phil Hotlen <n8540420 at henson.cc.wwu.edu>
Bellingham, Washington