[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting 2023 vs 2022

[Karen]

Merlin Nesting Tabulation for 2023 vs. 2022 for Tompkins County


In 2022 the total was 15 pair vs.15 this year    Successful:  11 vs. 8 this 
year (counting one nest with downy young before it fledges)    Failed:  3 vs. 1 
this year  Known pair but no known nest: 1 vs. 6 this year


1035 Highland Rd. Nest abandoned.   But, a very late pair, called, mated, and 
established a nest about 900 m distant. I am tabulating these sites as the same 
pair. Beth and Geoff reported a few minutes ago that a downynestling was fed on 
23 July. This nest is by far the latest ever.
Brandywineand Simsbury Drives. No known nest. Pair seen frequentlyearly in 
season near potential nest. Disappeared.
 

Monroe St. and vicinity, Dryden. No known nest. Pairseen early in season. 
Disappeared.

 

Jenning’s Pond. No known nest. Pair seen mating,chasing crows early in season. 
Occasional report around Jennings Pond through20 June.

 

Myer’s Park. No known nest. Pairseen around a nest at park entrance early in 
season, and occasionally throughJune and July.

 

South Hill. No known nest. Pairseen calling, mating early in season.

 

Craft Way, Brook Way, Brook Dr.  No known nest. Pair mating, calling.

 
___
Fairmount/ElmwoodAves. Fledged, three young.
Freeville.Two young on nest as of 25 June. Two fledglings by 14 July.
Hanshawand Klinewood Rds. 25 June, Still incubating. 23 July, feeding at least 
onechick with downy head.
 

McLallaen and Washington Sts., Trumansburg.   Fledged, three young.

 

Sycamore Dr. x Pinewood Pl. Fledged at least two young.

 

The Parkway near elementary school. Fledged at least twoyoung, probably three.

 

Top Forty Rd.  Threeolder nestlings as of 25 June. Fledged by mid-July

 

Valley View Rd. Three nestlings as of 25 June.



 
Gimme Coffee. Nest failed.
With hundreds of Merlin reports to eBird, and thousands of reports that did not 
detect Merlin, I think our survey in Tompkins County is fairly complete.

Thanks ever so much for the continued help of so many in documenting the Merlin 
population of Tompkins County.
Jeff, please forward to your friends, thanks.




 





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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting

[Karen]

2021 Provisional tabulation ofnesting Merlin

Information obtained by the birding community in TompkinsCounty provides a 
unique opportunity to survey local bird populations. Reportson eBird and the 
cayugabirds-L have enabled me to document the expandingpopulation of nesting 
Merlin with a thoroughness probably unmatched anywhereelse. I have had one 
publication and one ms. under review thanks to the effort oflocal birders. I am 
so grateful to so many participants.

For Tompkins County 2021

    11known pairs: 7 known nests, of which 5 succeeded and two 
failed.

    Thetotal number of pairs equals the high total of last year. 
But the number ofnests discovered is well short of the 9 nests found last year. 

The following tabulates the number ofMerlin pairs found by year since 2014: 

2 (2014), 6 (2015), 6 (2016), 5 (2017),6 (2018), 7 (2019), 11 (2020) and 11 
(2021).

I am glad to provide further details ifyou contact confergoldw...@aol.com.

 Good birding, 

John Confer


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Nesting 2020

[John Confer]

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


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting 2019

[John Confer]

Thanks to all who made this Merlin study possible.


I monitored the nest success for seven nests in spring 2019. The number of 
discovered nests has remained nearly constant in the last four years. All nests 
have been in urban/suburban locations. Most of these nests were discovered by 
others and reported to me, for which I am extremely grateful. Thank you all for 
your help.

Of monitored nests (i.e., nests seen on more than one date), I know that 4 of 5 
local nests fledged young. A monitored nest in Freeville probably fledged 
young. A monitored nest in Endwell fledged young. Three fledglings were seen in 
Tioga Point Cemetery, one of which had an injured leg. This site has had 
successful nests for the last two years,

 More detail and a video by Suan will be available in the next Cayuga Bird Club 
newsletter.

John Confer


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting

[John Confer]

Information wanted, please.


During the last three years I have monitored Merlin nesting success near 
Ithaca. Results show that Merlin have an unusual relationship with both Fish 
Crow and American Crow in our region, and that nesting success is about 50%.


Many of these nests or areas where Merlin were calling were reported to me by 
birders. I am very grateful for this help. Again this year, if you locate a 
nest or calling Merlin, let me know off-line at confergoldw...@aol.com.


Ca Ca Ca Ca Ca


John

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Nesting 2017: brief and nest by nest

[John Confer]

 SYNOPSIS OF Merlin nesting success in 2017 in the  Finger Lakes region and 
nearby.
This summary of Merlin nesting success is only possible because of reports from 
others who let me know of the location for nesting behavior they noted first,  
and in one case continued to monitor the nest. Thanks so much.
For 2017, 5 of 7 monitored nests fledged young. In the previous 2 years, only 7 
of 14 nests fledged young. The sample size remains small, but even the higher 
nest success rate this year is much lower than other studies and may not be 
high enough to sustain our population without emigration from more successful 
areas. I did not have the time (or perhaps energy) to monitor the nests 
frequently enough to determine the number fledged per nest. Perhaps help next 
year would yield more complete data.
NEST BY NEST SPECIFICS
N. Titus Rd. Nest in 2015 discovered by Ken Humphreys, was in top of 1 of 2 
tall White Pine and fledged 4 or 5 young. In 2016 a pair nested in a White Pine 
less than 100 m distant in nest stolen from Fish Crow, but failed. In 2017 
Merlin stole Fish Crow nest in the other of the two tall White Pine. Nest was 
destroyed by major wind storm. This could be the same pair for 3 years, or at 
least 1 bird from the same pair. For 2 adults to fledge only 4 young in 3 years 
is very low nesting success.
Lake Rd Dryden, NY. Courting pair first reported by Fred Rimmel. Fledged at 
least 2 young in 2017. This nest is was in a spruce tree and was about 450 m 
from successful nest in a spruce tree last year on Kimberly Rd. It seems 
probably that 1 or both of the pair for this year came from the pair last year.
City Cemetery. Nesting activity first reported by Andy Zepp. This nest in a 
White Pine failed as did 2 other nests in the City Cemetery in preceding years. 
I wonder if there could be a resident Great Horned Owl that eats Merlins or 
Merlin eggs.
Tioga Point Cemetery. Nesting activity reported by Bill Howe. Bill is retired 
from a career of working with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Some may remember 
his name from his undergrad years at Cornell. This nest fledged young from a 
nest in a spruce tree. This large cemetery had Am. Crow, Fish Crow and Merlin. 
It seems unusual to have all three species hanging out in the same location.
Maplewood Rd. Crow monitoring crew first reported this Merlin pair as they 
stole a nest built this year by American Crow. (While the Merlin-watching 
people appreciate the service provided to Merlins by crows, it is not clear the 
feeling is reciprocated by crow-watchers:).) This nest in a spruce tree fledged 
young, probably four. This was the most flimsy, tiny nest I have observed used 
by Merlin. Over-topping branches covered only about 10% of the nest from 
passing predators, such as Red-tailed Hawks. I didn't think it could make it, 
but it did.
Etna, NY. Courtship behavior, i.e., calls, reported by Chris Hynes. The nest in 
a spruce tree fledged 4 young. It took me about 4 trips to find where the birds 
were nesting, which can usually be found in 1 or 2 trips to an area with 
courting birds.
Endicott, NY. Nest reported and monitored by Mike Jordan. Apparently fledged 
several young.
Merlin are one of the few species, the only species I know, that has expended 
into NY from the North in the last 30 years. It's progress into PA and its 
nesting success are intriguing to follow. All nest I have heard about are in a 
decidedly urban location. All nests are in conifers planted perhaps 50-100 
years ago. All nests were built by crows, as far as we can tell. Many of them 
have been stolen from crows in the spring that the crows built them. 
Fascinating. Thanks for your help and interest. Hopefully we can do this again 
next year.


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Re:[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting update

[AB Clark]

I heard a merlin twittering on Christopher Circle/Christopher Lane yesterday 
evening, although hadn’t seen activity on it.  I have not scoped it recently.


> On Jun 16, 2016, at 6:26 PM, John Confer  wrote:
> 
> Not good news, overall, for Merlin nests.
> 
> The Titus Ave. nest, and the Dryden nest, and the City Cemetery nest have all 
> failed. I saw red-tails in the vicinity of two of the nests. The sticks in 
> two of the nests were dis-assembled, allowing light to penetrate where it had 
> been opaque, suggesting a struggle with a predator.
> 
> The Wells College nest, the Christopher Lane nest, and now maybe, perhaps the 
> new Congregational Church nest, may still be active. I never located the 
> possible nest near Freeze Rd. despite 4 trips of over an hour each from 
> ~6:30-7:30. Darn. Thanks for the input!
> 
> John Confer


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting update

[John Confer]

Not good news, overall, for Merlin nests.


The Titus Ave. nest, and the Dryden nest, and the City Cemetery nest have all 
failed. I saw red-tails in the vicinity of two of the nests. The sticks in two 
of the nests were dis-assembled, allowing light to penetrate where it had been 
opaque, suggesting a struggle with a predator.


The Wells College nest, the Christopher Lane nest, and now maybe, perhaps the 
new Congregational Church nest, may still be active. I never located the 
possible nest near Freeze Rd. despite 4 trips of over an hour each from 
~6:30-7:30. Darn. Thanks for the input!


John Confer

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

[Gary Kohlenberg]

I'm thrilled the Merlins are back in the cemetery. After Stuart's post I 
stopped by and had terrific views of the female on the bare treetop. As with 
Suan, the male and female would call and respond several times then he would 
swoop in, copulating, then off again. They did this two times with a long break 
afterwards that she used to preen. I even managed to get a photo of one of the 
romantic interludes, very lucky indeed with digiscope only.
I have a couple photos if anyone is interested:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103826758925032410864/IthacaCityCemeteryMerlins?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNHZ79iIj6vw2wE&feat=directlink

Gary


On May 12, 2012, at 5:08 PM, Suan Yong wrote:

I've been sitting the last hour here in the cemetary, watching a (presumably) 
female merlin hanging out on the highest naked snag atop a pine, calling 
regularly and making frequent flycatcher-style forays. Then, a moment ago, a 
slightly different call signaled the arrival of a (presumably) male for a quick 
copulation and immediate departure.

After a long rest the female went out for another foray, but this time, on 
return it was displaced by a crow, which now owns that perch and looks enormous 
compared to how big the merlin had looked on the same branch.

Suan
_
http://suan-yong.com/

On May 12, 2012, at 12:18 PM, Stuart Krasnoff 
mailto:s...@cornell.edu>> wrote:

After a discussion about Cape May Warblers  I decided to stop at the Ithaca 
City Cemetary to  check the tall spruces.  I didn't get that far. Just below 
the Stewart Ave. entrance  there's a short road that goes off sharply to the 
north and over that road and up toward Stewart Ave. stands a white pine with 
its top 20' dead and sere.  I saw a lump near the top that turned out to be a 
MERLIN with its back to me, either grooming or picking at some food.  After a 
minute of watching it, it dive bombed a cardinal and then flew to the south 
into another white pine.  I refound it perched near a dense packing of sticks 
that might be a nest. To find the putative nest tree find the bench with the 
short flagpole on the left of the main road where it bends sharply to the 
right.  Stand across the road (on the north side) at the bend and sight to the 
left of the flagpole looking SSE.  There are several pines up there just 50 
yards or so below Stewart AVe.  The bird and nest (or collection of sticks) was 
in the left-most tree maybe 20-25'  from its top.  Merlins have been reported 
thereabouts perennially but this the first one I've found there.

Marginal digivideo through my scope at: http://youtu.be/azf-ZZlmi9Q

Best...Stuart
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

[Suan Yong]

I've been sitting the last hour here in the cemetary, watching a (presumably) 
female merlin hanging out on the highest naked snag atop a pine, calling 
regularly and making frequent flycatcher-style forays. Then, a moment ago, a 
slightly different call signaled the arrival of a (presumably) male for a quick 
copulation and immediate departure.

After a long rest the female went out for another foray, but this time, on 
return it was displaced by a crow, which now owns that perch and looks enormous 
compared to how big the merlin had looked on the same branch.

Suan
_
http://suan-yong.com/

On May 12, 2012, at 12:18 PM, Stuart Krasnoff  wrote:

> After a discussion about Cape May Warblers  I decided to stop at the Ithaca 
> City Cemetary to  check the tall spruces.  I didn't get that far. Just below 
> the Stewart Ave. entrance  there's a short road that goes off sharply to the 
> north and over that road and up toward Stewart Ave. stands a white pine with 
> its top 20' dead and sere.  I saw a lump near the top that turned out to be a 
> MERLIN with its back to me, either grooming or picking at some food.  After a 
> minute of watching it, it dive bombed a cardinal and then flew to the south 
> into another white pine.  I refound it perched near a dense packing of sticks 
> that might be a nest. To find the putative nest tree find the bench with the 
> short flagpole on the left of the main road where it bends sharply to the 
> right.   Stand across the road (on the north side) at the bend and sight to 
> the left of the flagpole looking SSE.  There are several pines up there just 
> 50 yards or so below Stewart AVe.  The bird and nest (or collection of 
> sticks) was in the left-most tree maybe 20-25'  from its top.  Merlins have 
> been reported thereabouts perennially but this the first one I've found there.
> 
> Marginal digivideo through my scope at: http://youtu.be/azf-ZZlmi9Q  
> 
> Best...Stuart
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RE:[cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

[Meena Haribal]

I hope everyone else also had a great laugh with my previous mail!



I meant nobody else was there. My brain moves faster than my fingers and adds 
whatever words it feels like adding.  As Marie suggested, anyway even if there 
were bodies, I could not have seen as they were probably buried years ago some 
6 feet deep at least! ha ha





At Lickbrook there were about 12 Turkey Vultures thermalling. Also I heard 
something that sounded like a powerful drill going in short reverse mode. So I 
was wondering who would be using that on the trail. Then soon heard some crows 
too. So I looked up to see a raven being chased by three crows. A little later 
second raven was being chased by the same crows.  I checked the creek no 
odonates yet!



Meena



Meena Haribal
Ithaca NY 14850
http://haribal.org/
http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/


From: bounce-57407034-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-57407034-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Meena Haribal 
[m...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 1:13 PM
To: Stuart Krasnoff; CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: RE:[cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary


I did the same thing too! And found Merlin singing away! I also went to Green 
hills cemetery and except for the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow and 
Great Crested Flycatcher no body was there.



Meena



Meena Haribal
Ithaca NY 14850
http://haribal.org/
http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/


From: bounce-57377034-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-57377034-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Stuart Krasnoff 
[s...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 12:18 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

After a discussion about Cape May Warblers  I decided to stop at the Ithaca 
City Cemetary to  check the tall spruces.  I didn't get that far. Just below 
the Stewart Ave. entrance  there's a short road that goes off sharply to the 
north and over that road and up toward Stewart Ave. stands a white pine with 
its top 20' dead and sere.  I saw a lump near the top that turned out to be a 
MERLIN with its back to me, either grooming or picking at some food.  After a 
minute of watching it, it dive bombed a cardinal and then flew to the south 
into another white pine.  I refound it perched near a dense packing of sticks 
that might be a nest. To find the putative nest tree find the bench with the 
short flagpole on the left of the main road where it bends sharply to the 
right.  Stand across the road (on the north side) at the bend and sight to the 
left of the flagpole looking SSE.  There are several pines up there just 50 
yards or so below Stewart AVe.  The bird and nest (or collection of sticks) was 
in the left-most tree maybe 20-25'  from its top.  Merlins have been reported 
thereabouts perennially but this the first one I've found there.

Marginal digivideo through my scope at: http://youtu.be/azf-ZZlmi9Q

Best...Stuart
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RE:[cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

[Rick Lightbody]

That's a good one, Meena--a cemetery with no body in it.
-Rick  ;)
At 01:13 PM 5/12/2012, Meena Haribal wrote:
I did the same
thing too! And found Merlin singing away! I also went to Green hills
cemetery and except for the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow and
Great Crested Flycatcher no body was there. 
 

Meena 
 
Meena Haribal
Ithaca NY 14850
http://haribal.org/

http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/
 

From:
bounce-57377034-3493...@list.cornell.edu
[bounce-57377034-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Stuart Krasnoff
[s...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 12:18 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

After a discussion about Cape May Warblers  I decided to stop at the
Ithaca City Cemetary to  check the tall spruces.  I didn't get
that far. Just below the Stewart Ave. entrance  there's a short road
that goes off sharply to the north and over that road and up toward
Stewart Ave. stands a white pine with its top 20' dead and sere.  I
saw a lump near the top that turned out to be a MERLIN with its back to
me, either grooming or picking at some food.  After a minute of
watching it, it dive bombed a cardinal and then flew to the south into
another white pine.  I refound it perched near a dense packing of
sticks that might be a nest. To find the putative nest tree find the
bench with the short flagpole on the left of the main road where it bends
sharply to the right.  Stand across the road (on the north side) at
the bend and sight to the left of the flagpole looking SSE.  There
are several pines up there just 50 yards or so below Stewart AVe. 
The bird and nest (or collection of sticks) was in the left-most tree
maybe 20-25'  from its top.  Merlins have been reported
thereabouts perennially but this the first one I've found there.

Marginal digivideo through my scope at:
http://youtu.be/azf-ZZlmi9Q
  
Best...Stuart
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

[Brad Walker]

I've been to the cemetery several times this spring, but haven't heard or
seen the Merlin yet. Tim and I had a Merlin flying around Cayuga Heights
(as seen from Sunset Park, looking south) on Friday. Maybe this is the same
bird?

-Brad

On Sat, May 12, 2012 at 1:13 PM, Meena Haribal  wrote:

>  I did the same thing too! And found Merlin singing away! I also went to
> Green hills cemetery and except for the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Chipping
> Sparrow and Great Crested Flycatcher no body was there.
>
>
>
> Meena
>
>
> Meena Haribal
> Ithaca NY 14850
> http://haribal.org/
> http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/
>
>  --
> *From:* bounce-57377034-3493...@list.cornell.edu [
> bounce-57377034-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Stuart Krasnoff [
> s...@cornell.edu]
> *Sent:* Saturday, May 12, 2012 12:18 PM
> *To:* CAYUGABIRDS-L
> *Subject:* [cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary
>
>  After a discussion about Cape May Warblers  I decided to stop at the
> Ithaca City Cemetary to  check the tall spruces.  I didn't get that far.
> Just below the Stewart Ave. entrance  there's a short road that goes off
> sharply to the north and over that road and up toward Stewart Ave. stands a
> white pine with its top 20' dead and sere.  I saw a lump near the top that
> turned out to be a MERLIN with its back to me, either grooming or picking
> at some food.  After a minute of watching it, it dive bombed a cardinal and
> then flew to the south into another white pine.  I refound it perched near
> a dense packing of sticks that might be a nest. To find the putative nest
> tree find the bench with the short flagpole on the left of the main road
> where it bends sharply to the right.  Stand across the road (on the north
> side) at the bend and sight to the left of the flagpole looking SSE.  There
> are several pines up there just 50 yards or so below Stewart AVe.  The bird
> and nest (or collection of sticks) was in the left-most tree maybe 20-25'
>  from its top.  Merlins have been reported thereabouts perennially but this
> the first one I've found there.
>
>  Marginal digivideo through my scope at: http://youtu.be/azf-ZZlmi9Q
>
>  Best...Stuart
> --
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RE:[cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

[Meena Haribal]

I did the same thing too! And found Merlin singing away! I also went to Green 
hills cemetery and except for the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow and 
Great Crested Flycatcher no body was there.



Meena



Meena Haribal
Ithaca NY 14850
http://haribal.org/
http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/


From: bounce-57377034-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-57377034-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Stuart Krasnoff 
[s...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 12:18 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

After a discussion about Cape May Warblers  I decided to stop at the Ithaca 
City Cemetary to  check the tall spruces.  I didn't get that far. Just below 
the Stewart Ave. entrance  there's a short road that goes off sharply to the 
north and over that road and up toward Stewart Ave. stands a white pine with 
its top 20' dead and sere.  I saw a lump near the top that turned out to be a 
MERLIN with its back to me, either grooming or picking at some food.  After a 
minute of watching it, it dive bombed a cardinal and then flew to the south 
into another white pine.  I refound it perched near a dense packing of sticks 
that might be a nest. To find the putative nest tree find the bench with the 
short flagpole on the left of the main road where it bends sharply to the 
right.  Stand across the road (on the north side) at the bend and sight to the 
left of the flagpole looking SSE.  There are several pines up there just 50 
yards or so below Stewart AVe.  The bird and nest (or collection of sticks) was 
in the left-most tree maybe 20-25'  from its top.  Merlins have been reported 
thereabouts perennially but this the first one I've found there.

Marginal digivideo through my scope at: http://youtu.be/azf-ZZlmi9Q

Best...Stuart
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[cayugabirds-l] MERLIN (nesting?) in City Cemetary

[Stuart Krasnoff]

After a discussion about Cape May Warblers  I decided to stop at the Ithaca 
City Cemetary to  check the tall spruces.  I didn't get that far. Just below 
the Stewart Ave. entrance  there's a short road that goes off sharply to the 
north and over that road and up toward Stewart Ave. stands a white pine with 
its top 20' dead and sere.  I saw a lump near the top that turned out to be a 
MERLIN with its back to me, either grooming or picking at some food.  After a 
minute of watching it, it dive bombed a cardinal and then flew to the south 
into another white pine.  I refound it perched near a dense packing of sticks 
that might be a nest. To find the putative nest tree find the bench with the 
short flagpole on the left of the main road where it bends sharply to the 
right.  Stand across the road (on the north side) at the bend and sight to the 
left of the flagpole looking SSE.  There are several pines up there just 50 
yards or so below Stewart AVe.  The bird and nest (or collection of sticks) was 
in the left-most tree maybe 20-25'  from its top.  Merlins have been reported 
thereabouts perennially but this the first one I've found there.

Marginal digivideo through my scope at: http://youtu.be/azf-ZZlmi9Q

Best...Stuart

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