Within a span of just a few minutes three of our resident birds, including two raptors, gave this recently arrived female Merlin a very hard time so I figured she deserved a more welcoming greeting from another Utah resident. That would be me in today’s post.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Four days ago this was my first look at her. Merlin’s don’t breed in Utah so she’d either have recently migrated here for the winter or she was just passing through. It was a cold morning and she was minding her own business as she warmed up in the sun. I spent quite a bit of time with her but in the cold she gave me very few poses so for this shot I’d removed my teleconverter in case she took off.
Eventually an immature Red-tailed Hawk came in from out of nowhere and chased her off but she launched away from me so I’m only including the takeoff shot for documentation purposes.
Next she landed on a nearby rabbitbrush but that low perch didn’t suit her so she took off again and landed on a more elevated bare branch. While she was there she was mercilessly harassed by a Black-billed Magpie followed by a very aggressive male American Kestrel. I documented both of those attacks in an earlier post.
Despite how badly she was treated I hope she decides to stick around for the winter. In my book she’ll always be welcome.
Ron
Ron,
Speaking of the earlier post… I recognized the “perch” in your post from which the Merlin was chased so I went out Saturday morning to test my luck. I didn’t see the Merlin but I did count over 175 (175!!) hunter’s vehicles in that favorite little area! Then whole road can’t be much over a mile. I couldn’t believe it. Of course, it was a Saturday and half the county was out to hunt. I didn’t find much and you can understand why. It is amazing to me that there are any birds out there at all. How do any of them survive the winter?
Still, I enjoy going out there.
Best,
Stephen
Steven, that’s why I never go out there on weekends during the hunting season, but since I’m retired I have that luxury. It wasn’t bad at all this morning.
Btw, I believe that road is about 2 miles long from the gate by the hill to the 4-way pond.
How ruu-uude! The little stinkers scaring away this lovely gal. Hopefully, you’ll get another shot at her before she gets out of Dodge.
I like the unusual takeoff shot. Bummer about that wing, but the shot is still pretty nifty!
Marty, apparently she’s still in the area but I didn’t see her this morning.
Good to see you this morning. The paths at the nature center are nicely done, I enjoyed wandering about. The Merlin was there today but I was on foot and it did not stick around.
It was wonderful to visit with you again, April. It’s been too long. We never did see the Merlin.
Are those feathers or leaves or something else on her breast?
She’s welcome to come here as well, although I can’t speak for the locals (birds, that is).
Lyle, it’s leaves. Look closely and you’ll see a tiny twig supporting them.
I hope you do spot her again (or another of her kind) … she’s a beauty. And I hope the mean kids don’t run her out of the neighborhood!
Chris, I was there again this morning and didn’t see her. Wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already flown the coop.
I’ve never seen one, so thank you 😁
Loving all the raptor pictures and stories.
Thanks, Diana. It’s unusual for me to see them too. Even more unusual to get nice shots of one.
How rude. She was just minding her own business after all…
And of course you will always welcome her.
As we do.
I felt pretty sorry for her, EC. She wasn’t bothering anyone.
We’re on the same wavelength again! 😂😂
Well, Utah! That’s no way to say hey. 😀
For sure.
Just want to take 5 and warm up and what happens! How rude! 😳 Glad you could document her.
Finally dawned on me that’s probably what I had in the yard a week or 2 ago. I came around by the feeder, jays are scrambling and this “small mottled hawk” is on the ground looking at me for a second before taking off.
I’ll bet that’s what it was, Judy. It’s that time of year too.
I think it was toward the end of summer I saw and photographed a little Merlin here on four consecutive days at four different locations and then she was gone. I have never seen more than one here in any one season, but sure wish there were more. In nature it seems that for the most part the little guys get shoved around by the bigger guys, but these little Merlins don’t give up easily. Thanks for posting again.
Everett, this time of year I always expect to see them more often than I do. Typically I go the entire year without photographing a single Merlin so this little lady was a real treat for me.