SOUTH BAY BIRDERS UNLIMITED

 

MERLIE the MERLIN

Kendric Smith

"Merlie" has been coming to the same tree for SIXTEEN years now (see below). I believe that he is a male Taiga Merlin (F.c. columbarius). For a discussion of subspecies and migration patterns of Merlins in California, click here. [NOTE: This is not an actual photograph of Merlie, but one that looks very similar to Merlie. I shortened the supercillium so that it only extends to the back of the eye, which is diagnostic for Merlie.]

For real pictures of Merlie by David Hindin, click here.

Merlie was first sighted on his tree (see below) on the following dates:

YEAR	FIRST SEEN	LAST SEEN	DAILY SIGHTINGS
17	Nov 2008 (See: Sightings)		2008-2009
16	Oct 2007 (See: Sightings)	3/15/08	2007-2008
15	Nov 2006 (See: Sightings)	(See: Sightings)	2006-2007
14	10/22/05 (See: Sightings)	03/23/06	2005-2006
13	10/25/04 (See: Sightings)	04/02/05	2004-2005
12	11/01/03 (See: Sightings)	03/28/04	2003-2004
11	10/17/02 (See: Sightings)	(See: Sightings)	2002-2003
10	10/25/01	3/18/02	2001-2002
9	10/12/00	3/20/01	2000-2001
8	10/23/99	3/27/00	1999-2000
7	10/22/98	3/21/99	1998-1999
6	10/20/97	3/22/98	1997-1998
5	10/24/96	3/22/97	.
4	10/25/95	.	.
3	10/18/94	.	.
2	11/04/93	.	.
1	10/21/92	.	.

Merlie's tree is a tall Redwood tree, with a very long top that is small in diameter. It is located at 2230 Amherst at College Avenue in College Terrace, but is more visible from Peter Coutts Road, about 0.2 miles from Stanford Avenue. The tree is directly across the road from my house on Mears Court, and we have a dedicated scope pointed at the tree at all times.

The first year that we found Merlie we were so excited, and then he caught a Cedar Waxwing and ate it on top of the tree. We had the same mixed reaction as we did a few years ago at the Palo Alto Baylands when a Black Rail flew up a few times, and then a Great Blue Heron ate it.

Although I think of Merlie as mine, I am happy to share.

OTHER REPORTS OF MERLINS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY
|| 2003-2004 || 2005-2006 ||