Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin and rooster
Date: Sat Sep 12 14:25:54 PDT 2020
From: Gary Bletsch - garybletsch at yahoo.com

Dear Tweeters,
Yesterday morning, the eleventh, the big flock of House Finches continued its daily foraging around my place near Lyman, Skagit County. I have seen up to 35 of them here lately. They often fly into the top of my birch tree, which is a big favorite with all sorts of birds. 
As I was watching this flock, keeping an eye out for any of the various migrants that also feed there, a Merlin came in from the west, darting into the canopy of the birch. Immediately the finches gave their alarm calls and flew off in all directions. My rooster, Mr. Cocky Locky, commenced to giving his own alarm call at about the same time. 
All of the hens that were in this part of the yard ran for cover under a bush. The Merlin was gone in a flash, empty-handed, and was not seen again that day.
I was surprised that Cocky Locky would react to such a small raptor as a Merlin. I wondered whether he had picked up on the finches' alarm calls and sudden flight, or whether he had perhaps spotted the Merlin himself. He knows Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles very well--those two species have made numerous sorties at my free-range flock, usually with no success. 
Interestingly enough, I have seen him go to yellow alert at the sight of a Turkey Vulture. However, Cocky Locky seems to realize that the Turkey Vultures pose no threat, and makes no alarm calls when they teeter over. He's no dumb cluck.
Yours truly,
Gary Bletsch
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