On Tuesday evening at about 6:20 PM, I saw a MERLIN above the intersection of Simsbury and Winthrop Drives in suburban northeast Ithaca. I didn't have magnifying optics, but I got some long clinching views as the bird flew a couple of times right overhead. I plainly saw short pointed wings and a black tail with thin white bands. The bird's movements suggested that it was catching insects, but I didn't get sight confirmation of any prey.
Mark Chao -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --