[cayugabirds-l] Prey for Merlin

I'm working on the new Basin guide. We have it written that the Merlin feeds (fed) on the locally-abundant Rock Pigeon. (I seem to recall a report from Paul Hurtado of pigeon feathers around the nest on Seneca Street.) But then, pigeon seems like a rather large bird for Merlin to prey on.

[cayugabirds-l] Apologies for double posting!! Christmas Bird Count 2012... Yes!!!

It's that time of year again. I have just sent out the information packets to all of our wonderful area leaders for the nine sectors of our count circle. As I was gathering the materials together, I had a chance to peruse the participant sheets from last year's count and I was so

[cayugabirds-l] Leucistic Turkey Vulture - NE Ithaca

Yesterday, late morning, Diane and I observed a really cool looking leucistic Turkey Vulture. This bird was soaring and flapping in the Northeast Ithaca area, over the Tops market and Cayuga Mall along North Triphammer Road. The distal two-thirds of the bird's left wing was solid white. It was

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Prey for Merlin

HI Folks, I'm not an expert, but I watched a Merlin grab a Tree Swallow after a chase of ~200 m(at Jamaica Bay out over the open water) and have seen it catch and eat what was probably a House Finch (certainly not a pigeon) and found remains of what was probably a House Sparrow at a nest

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Prey for Merlin

Ned Brinkley always said they were called Pigeon Hawks because of the similar way they flapped their wings. Linda Orkin On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 2:18 PM, con...@ithaca.edu wrote: HI Folks, I'm not an expert, but I watched a Merlin grab a Tree Swallow after a chase of ~200 m(at Jamaica Bay

[cayugabirds-l] Montezuma Audubon Center Lecture Dec. 10 - The Crux of Ducks on the Muck

The Montezuma Audubon Center is pleased to welcome Dave Odell on Saturday, December 10 at 1:00 PM for a lecture about the role of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex in the Atlantic Flyway. The Montezuma Wetlands Complex is a special place when it comes to birds and other wildlife.  It holds a

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Prey for Merlin

BNA says they take mostly prey that is mostly under 100 grams. Rock Pigeons are ~350 grams. B -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES

[cayugabirds-l] Merlin

There was a merlin bathing in a puddle of water near the Cass Park pool last week. Bill E -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Prey for Merlin

The Merlin was often called the Pigeon Hawk in the past. On 12/6/11 12:35 PM, bob mcguire bmcgu...@clarityconnect.com wrote: I'm working on the new Basin guide. We have it written that the Merlin feeds (fed) on the locally-abundant Rock Pigeon. (I seem to recall a report from Paul Hurtado of

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Prey for Merlin

Also from BNA This falcon was previously called the “Pigeon Hawk” because in flight it can be mistaken for a member of the pigeon family; its species name (* columbarius*) also refers to pigeons. Linda On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 2:34 PM, Benjamin Clock bm...@cornell.edu wrote: BNA says they take

RE: [cayugabirds-l] Prey for Merlin

Rock Pigeon is too large. I saw them bringing House Sparrows to one nest, and urban Merlins are known to specialize, more or less, on them. Horned Lark seems to be their specialty in the Great Plains. Kevin -Original Message- From: bounce-38924844-3493...@list.cornell.edu