There isn’t a single day in the field where I take my eyesight and my keen spotting abilities for granted and yesterday those attributes netted me not one but two Merlins while I was at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Merlin with prey on the marsh at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
When I spotted the first Merlin in flight, I suspected that it was a female American Kestrel flying with prey because I see kestrels more often at the refuge. But when the falcon landed and I was able to get it in my viewfinder, I was surprised and delighted to see a Merlin with prey instead.
I guess my eyes saw the lighter-colored breast of the Merlin, so my brain first registered “female kestrel” instead of Merlin. I haven’t seen all that many Merlins on the refuge, though, and usually when I do, it is winter, not spring, so I understand why my birdy brain cells reacted the way they did.
After pointing out the Merlin, I discovered that she was further away than I would have liked. She seemed to glow like a feathered beacon from the ground due to the newly emerging spring vegetation and the darkness of the burn scar from phragmites mitigation that occurred last year on the refuge.
Any day that I find and photograph a Merlin is a great day…
Merlin perched next to the Bear River – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
But the day wasn’t done, and I was even more surprised to spot a second Merlin a bit more than 6 miles away, as the crow flies, from the first one that I found. The second Merlin was perched in a small tree next to the Bear River, and at first, my brain registered “Cooper’s” because of the habitat.
But again, I was thrilled to discover and point out a Merlin looking back towards me when the vehicle stopped, and I was able to get my lens on it.
The setting was a bit messy, and the sun was more than a little bit high, though anytime I have a Merlin in view, I will take images if I can.
I don’t recall ever having a two-Merlin day at the refuge or in the state of Utah! Merlins don’t breed in the state, so I thought both of these Merlins were a bit late migrating. But after looking on eBird, I became aware that they are sighted here as late as the last week in May.
A two Merlin day at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday isn’t what I was expecting. But then, whenever I am out in the field looking for birds, I do expect the unexpected, so it works for me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Merlin photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wow! Wonderful shots Mia. The color and detail you captured in both pics is extraordinary. A great day for you…and for us. Thanks.
A two Merlin day would be a wondrous thing.
I see Merlins quite infrequently. Two in one day with great pictures would cause a celebration that would go on for at least a week!
Well done! The images of both birds are very clear and sharp. Nice captures.
I’ve never seen one before!
Fabulous shots — the second Merlin looks so regal!
Very, very great shots…again!
Great shots, Mia, beautiful.
THat is one terrific shot of the Merlin, Mia. Thank you .
In the last 40 years, hear in Canada, as trees in urban communities become more plentiful and larger (and more of the countrside is deforested), crows and magpies have moved into the cities. Likewise Merlins, who take over their nests, have moved into the cities now, and are now the “city falcon” and are found in many if not most Canadian cities. We have a pair in our neighbourhood here in Ottawa every year. Last week I saw the female chasing a Raven. She put on a real show with some classic falcon stoops. They are seen regularly on Christmas Bird Counts. They can also be very noisy!
Finding two Merlins would be a great day in my books. Beautiful photos as well.
Beautiful! I learn so much on your website! Thank you for all the great information!