[obol] Merlin (was "Bird Books")

[Wink Gross]

Dave Irons wrote:

 >The most logical explanation for the absence of normal backyard
 >feeder birds is the presence of a predator. If you are in a
 >residential area, the odds are good that you have a neighborhood
 >Merlin, Cooper's Hawk, or Sharp-shinned that is using your backyard
 >flock as a buffet. Merlins are usually conspicuously perched at
 >the very top of the tallest tree in the area...

That was right on the money this morning.  When the dog and I went
out the door for our dogwalk today my first thought was, "where
is everybody?".  Then I noticed a MERLIN ("Pacific" form) sitting
at the top of the tallest fir in the neighborhood.  Only when we
walked far enough for the Merlin to be hidden from view did the
dickey-bird activity pick up.

Wink Gross
NW Portland



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