Friday, 4 September 2015

[Maine-birds] Merlin chasing a Pileated today at Sears Island!

Hi all - Inspired by Peter Vickery's migration alert, I stopped briefly at the north tip of Sears Island this morning en route to a day spent in Camden. Found John Wyatt and Louis Bevier ensconced there and recording numerous migrant warblers. Seeing their full list would be interesting!

While we stood together we watched a Merlin stoop hard on a Pileated Woodpecker and nearly strike / take it. The Pileated was calling out in surprise and alarm as it went into evasive flight mode and dove into the first available tree. Pretty dramatic encounter, and seemingly huge prey for a Merlin. It would have been even more interesting if contact had been made. What then?

Happy and birdy weekend, all.

Craig

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