As a relatively new birder I think I know what I saw. At about 4:15
this afternoon I saw a bird in the top of our largest Douglas fir - the
largest in the neighborhood, and saw a bird that looked a little
different than the usual starlings that sit there in the afternoon.
I looked through binos and thought I saw a falcon. When I got the scope
I was sure it was a falcon. It was patient enough to allow me to run
and get the Sibley book.
So, it looked identical to the female adult Tiaga merlin shown on page
130. I had a very good look until about 4:45.
It is still there as I type. Never did see it fly, but had great looks
through the scope for over half an hour.
Never have heard of a merlin in this area - am I seeing things?

--
JeffOsmundson
Arlington