Merlins, Merlin Watchers, Merlin Counters, Merlin Photographers, Merlin Artists, Merlin Trackers, Merlin Researchers, and Merlin Sharers of all sorts, are forming alliances around Puget Sound, for the betterment of all, I believe. We are learning a lot and, as San Marcos Barn Owl Boxman said similarly many times : This is fun and I'm glad I'm a part of it !!!
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Thanks to you all,
For your part, big or small,
In welcoming the Merlin
To our neighborhoods for some swirlin'.

Since old Spike & Thor,
Opened the door
To this falcon's success,
Who woulda guessed

That 20 young later
and 5 years hence
Their legacy would flourish?
Well, I s'pose it makes sense!

Chitter, chitter, pic-pic, kee-kee-kee.
This is the music (?) they call from a tree.
And we watch with delight
Their antics in flight.

For the habitat it's fittin',
That on our branches they're sittin,
And our spirits be enriched,
By this bird that we've twitched !

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I could go on, but I'll save it for another time, or for my up-and-coming little book of Merlin nursery rhymes...
Well, that was in jest, but I will take a request!
So, from this pest, to you
"All the best" !

Barb
(the above was triggered by this nice note sent by Jim O this morning):

> Hi Barb,
>
> I've enjoyed your Tweeters postings on the Merlins in your neighborhood, and today's Tweeters posting with a link to Tiffany's site. She's done a great job keeping track of her Merlin family.
>
> We have a Merlin family near our home on the south end of Mercer Island that is providing us and our neighbors a lot of enjoyment. The birds fledged within the past few weeks, and it looks as though there are three juveniles. They are busy and noisy all day, especially early in the morning and at dusk.
>
> It's been interesting to walk around the neighborhood watching the birds as they fly to an from perches on a number of tall conifers. Our neighbors are first curious about what we're looking at , and when they learn that we're looking at Merlins they are usually happy and interested in the birds. We now have one neighbor with a good vantage point for the Merlins who sat out on his deck for several hours yesterday afternoon to get a good count and better understanding of the birds' activities. He's not a birder, but he definitely knows about Merlins now!
>
> Best,
>
> Jim
>


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