Merlins (Falco columbarius)

This female merlin was seen near Myers, NY off of highway 34B on Lansingville Road - 27 Feb 2007.




This male was seen in early January 2007 in Pueblo, CO near the corner of Dotson and Goodnight Avenue.




Ithaca's 2006 Nest on Seneca St.

I first noticed these birds around April 24, 2006. The pair spent most
of their time around the area of 410 East Seneca St. throughout the
following weeks, and were nesting atop a white pine at that address.
As of August 9, 2006, there were 4 chicks fledged, some of which remain
in the general area, but seem to be wandering pretty far from their nesting
location, but could still be found within a few blocks of the nesting site
(especially uphill from the nest).

The location of the nest (see below) is indicated by the arrow.


Here is a picture of the female on the nest, around 7:00am - 14 May, 2006.
You can just make out the tip of her tail sticking out.


The birds can frequently be found atop neighboring trees...
Here is a tree behind the nest that they frequently perch in - they
also eat, preen, and copulate here most often.


Across the street (Seneca), the male will frequently perch
in the tall pine next to 413 Seneca St., shown here...


And they often cache food (mostly House Sparrows) in conifer branches
such as those indicated on this large tree just uphill in front of 417 Seneca St.
With binoculars or a scope, you may even actually see cached prey items!!



The Merlins

And finally, some photos of the Merlins - Enjoy! :)

The female of the pair, near 410 Seneca St., Ithaca, NY.





The male landed on top of, and then copulated with, this female the instant after this photo was taken.


Here are a few shots of the male, taken April 28, 2006 - the day after the
above photos of the female. These shots were taken a few moments after copulation.




Here are some more of the male, taken the morning of 14 May, 2006.




Here are a few photos of nestlings/fledglings from July 11, 2006. Other observers
reported 4 fledglings in the nest around this time, and 4 fleglings were seen flying
after a 5th bird (adult?) on July 29. Back on July 11, while looking at two of
the fledglings in the nest from across Seneca a third bird crash-landed on the trunk
of the large conifer in front of 417 E. Seneca. After akwardly ascending the trunk
via the vines, it lept to a window and flapped its way down the wall of the building
landing on a shelf on the window below (ground floor). Apparently, it had visited
another neighbor's deck the previous day, and appears to have survived since then!
Note the down and the primary shape/pattern on the two birds with extended wings.














Here are two Pellets collected from below a frequently used perch - if you look
carefully, you can make out some of their contents.


Click for a better view.

Merlins are actually undergoing a population increase & range expansion
in North America. To learn more, check out some of the population data
abvailable through the on-line resources listed below:
        NYS Breeding Bird Atlas on the DEC website:
        http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/bba/
        USGS Breeding Bird Survey:
        http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/
        Start under "Survey Results" using the "Trend Estimates" tool.
        Great Backyard Birdcount:
        http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
        Click on "Explore Results" then "Maproom."
        New York can be viewed under "Allegheny Region".
        eBird:
        http://www.ebird.org/
        Christmas Bird Count data:
        http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/
Note: In case anyone asks, as of May 1st, these two birds have been named
"Jordan and Gracey" by Mr. Jason Zimmerman, age 5.

Colorado:
Seen 12/30/05 near the corner of Thatcher/HW96 and Goodnight Avenue, Pueblo, CO.





All Photos (C) 2005 Paul Hurtado
(Just let me know if you use them!)