We had a record count of Merlins on the Sequim-Dungeness CBC this year, and
Merlins have been consistently visible on the north Olympic Peninsula
through this winter. Coincidentally, we also had record numbers of
Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, and Peregrines on the CBC.

Why so many "avivorous" raptors this winter? One answer might be because we
have also had record numbers of Robins wintering this year, feasting, among
other things, on Madrona berries. Couldn't be finches -- this will go down
on record as one of the leanest years in our area for crossbills, Pine
Siskins, and Evening Grosbeaks. Even House and Purple Finches seem to be
dwindling lately.

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim


> From: Rolan Nelson <rnbuffle at yahoo.com>
> Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2003 14:39:59 -0800 (PST)
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Merlin Question
>
>
> Hi Tweets,
>
> I'm wondering if folks are seeing more Merlins around lately, or am I just
> getting luckier? I'm not usually looking specifically for them, so I normally
> go months between sightings. Yesterday I had one at the top of a fir tree
> near Madigan on Ft. Lewis. Today I spotted one high up in a large Alder at
> the Theler Wetlands in Belfair. Two Merlins in two days!
>
> -Rolan
>
> Rolan Nelson
> Burley, WA
> rnbuffle at yahoo.com
>