A pair of young Merlins arrived in late April early May and soon ousted Crows who had nested in a stand of 70 ft Firs for several years.
Three weeks ago I saw the parent Merlins in a frantic state in the trees above me. The female had a young Merlin in her talons while the Male flapped and screeched next to her. She then flew away carrying the limp bird which must have fallen out of the nest. Early this week a second young Merlin chick appeared. I spotted it in an oak tree from which it dropped to the roof of a series of townhouses. The chick was confused and vulnerable but in no danger. I photographed as it made its way to the end unit and fluttered down to a car park area. Soon the parents made themselves known and heard, as they conveyed messages to their chick. He listened and eventually made his way to a pine tree where he sat on a low hanging branch in the quiet and shade. It was about 8pm and getting dark. Sometime in the night the parents must have coaxed the fuzzy little guy back to the nest. I spotted them there the next morning. Nick Haramis Ottawa South _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
