I have monitored nesting success of Merlin in Tompkins for the last six years. Nest discovery has been almost entirely due to reports by other birders. I am so grateful to so many. This year only 2 of 10 nests were discovered by myself. I really depend on help, thanks. I am trying to write a paper for the Journal of Raptor Research with our Tompkins County Merlin as the backbone derived from your reports.
PAIRS/NESTS (YEAR) 6/6 (2015), 6/6 (2016), 5/5 (2017), 6/6 (2018), 6/6 (2019), and 11/10 (2020). This year’s survey area was expanded to include Lansing and Trumansburg, which added 2 pair. In the normal survey area there were 9 known pairs and 8 nests where I have found 5-6 nests in previous years. 70% nest success for 10 known Merlin nests in 2020. Dryden: 2 pair, one successful Lansing: 1 pair successful. This almost certainly was the pair seen by many at Myer’s Point. It nested just west of the Catholic church. Trumansburg: 1 pair failed in the “downtown” center of the town. South Hill: 1 pair first seen for weeks on Crescent Place, but nested down Hudson St. closer to Aurora Freeville: Pair present for weeks, but moved and was not refound. Buffalo St: Successfully fledged four University Ave.: Successful pair Heights Court: Successful fledged four Murial/Salem: Successful, number fledged unknown Burleigh Dr.: Takeover of American Crow nest, Merlin failed. The local Merlin population is clearly suburban, not nesting in the rural areas of agriculture or forested land. The population appears to be increasing. I am so grateful to so many for their reports. Over 35 people alerted me to nests this year!!. I’m not going to mention everyone, but Jay sent me reports that led me to two nests. The Crow people, Anna, Kevin, Connor, and Sheila, helped considerably. Thanks, John Confer -- 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/ --
