The young Merlins at the Mountlake Terrace site have all (4) fledged and are now doing a lot of flying around from tree-to-tree and engaging in comical interactions with each other. It's a nice site for public viewing, especially now that one doesn't have to try to see into the high dark nest much anymore. Soon I expect these young birds will be exploring the lower reaches and objects in their environment and will be easier to see and photograph, like the ones in Maple Leaf were 10 days ago. Feel free to visit the site - several of us with scopes are there intermittently, and the neighbors welcome the birder traffic - these neighbors, like most of the neighbors we've shared Merlin experiences with, consider the nesting Merlins on their block to be an honor and really appreciate the sharing, enthusiastic, friendly birders and photographers who show up. They bring others to see these beautiful and exciting birds This may be the last nesting Merlins in the area to fledge this year that I know of, but maybe some of you will discover some fledglings in your neighborhood, loudly calling for food and flying around and playing together, mostly high up, but at this stage, sometimes down at a not-so-neck-craning level.

For directions to the site, email me. Hope you can join in on this new form of entertainment that has been 'taking over' our urban areas. It's cheap, interesting, amazing and just plain KEE,KEE,KEE !!!

Barb Deihl, NML

North Matthews Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net