Subject: [Tweeters] MLT Merlin Kids Still Findable - 7/31/12
Date: Aug 1 15:05:02 2012
From: Barbara Deihl - barbdeihl at comcast.net


It was a nice surprise to again find some Merlin juveniles frequenting the big hemlock about 1/2 mi. from their natal site in Mountlake Terrace. One, then two, then three, then two, then one again, hunkered and hunted (no successes seen) near another busy street. Only a few vocalizations uttered between 7:30 & 9 p.m. Head-turning, head bobbing, preening, and just looking were their main actions. One was still there when I left at 9 - the others had silently flown off.
It was a lot of fun to watch and try to photograph them - had one young dad and his 2 kids look through the scope and another man ask about the birds, saying he just had heard them.
Shape recognition on perch has been key to my recent discovery of these youngsters, as they are not as vocal or flighty as they have been recently.

My still-to-be-finalized set of photos may be seen at : http://flic.kr/s/aHsjB5RsZJ


Barb Deihl

North Matthews Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net