On Mon, 30 Nov 1998, Joe Mackie wrote:

> and two minutes later had her come right over the van at about 10 ft.
> with fresh kill. She perched for lunch in a birch tree immediately off
> the road. Interesting how what had first appeared to be such a "cute"
> little falcon was transformed into an efficient and ferocious predator.

On November 2, a Merlin landed on a rootwad about 20 meters from my
blind at the mouth of the Duckabush River. I had an outstanding
close-up view through my spotting scope. I was thrilled since I have
always been impressed by these speedy and spirited falcons. What
surprised me as I looked through the scope was a good-sized blotch
of blood on the bird's lower breast. The falcon was quite perky and
healthy looking so I can only conclude that it had killed something,
probably finished eating just before flying to my location. I would
not have thought that this much blood in this location was likely to
result from normal Merlin feeding behavior.

Kelly McAllister