Subject: [Tweeters] MerlinWatch renewal at a Seattle-area site - 7/6/15
Date: Jul 7 13:36:24 2015
From: Barbara Deihl - barbdeihl at comcast.net


Many of the residents in this NE Seattle neighborhood, especially family groups, stopped off to see what we were looking at up in those big, beautiful conifer trees. Excitement and enthusiasm abounded over these, now familiar, fast-flying visitors that, once-again have filled the area with their calls and entertaining behaviors. Another brood is out of the nest and a few visitors have arrived with binoculars, scopes and cameras, to witness, record and enjoy their presence. It felt a lot like some previous years, when smiles, pleasant conversations and even some learning, centered around the Merlin family spreading their wings and using their voices, high above street and yard. Children stepped up to try looking through spotting scope and binoculars, to get a closer view of the smallish falcons - most were able to get at least a glimpse of one of the beautiful birds. One visiting birder shared bird photos on his smart phone. There were many "wows" and "cools" emitted. Stories were exchanged among visitors about their personal Merlin happenings. The friendly, warm ambience was a complement to the comfortable cooling temperatures that set in that evening.

The 4 Merlin young and their parents, were very vocal and active we were there, from 7 - 9 p.m. I will later share more photos of the birds, taken by the other cameraed visitor and will add them to the growing Flickr album of memories from this week. Here is the link to click on to see photos from Sunday and Monday evenings, so far: https://flic.kr/s/aHskf3nabm

If you want to get a taste of this type of community-spirited birding, centered around Merlins, contact me and I will help you find some ! This Merlin activity won't be going on much longer, this year...


Barb Deihl
Matthews Beach Neighborhood, NE Seattle (NOT a Merlin neighborhood this year !)
barbdeihl at comcast.net
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