Merlin's on Hamilton Mountain

[Owen Novoselac]

So a few days ago (Friday, June 23rd), I was biking west along Stone Church and spotted 2 falcons making a lot of noise (presumably mating calls) at the corner of Stone Church and West 5th. I suspected Merlin but I didn't have my bins or even my glasses. Today I went back with my bins and was able to locate one of them in a tree before I saw it take off with the other one to chase away a Turkey Vulture. I thought I'd get the word out because as far as I know, Merlin's are not known to nest in the HSA. I will be keeping my eye out in that area. I've seen one of them twice in the tall trees at the northwest corner of the intersection. I should point out that this is a very public intersection. I didn't feel especially comfortable wandering around with binoculars, especially because the tree it was in today was actually in someones front yard. Also, I'm not really sure there's anywhere close to park. I'd love to know if anyone has seen these birds or if anyone has knowledge to share about Merlin nests!

Good birding

Owen Novoselac

[Paul D. Smith]

Hi Owen.

 

Merlin have been expanding into southern Ontario for a few decades now.  Close to Hamilton, they were first confirmed nesting in Cambridge in 2008 and a territorial pair were reported in Brantford the same year.

 

They were first suspected of  breeding in the Hamilton when a pair stayed in Dundas through the nesting season until September of 2010.  In 2011 a territorial bird was reported on East 16^th St and in 2012 a pair were documented fledging young from a nest on Howe Ave. on the mountain.  The birds  you saw may have been this pair.

 

Nice to know these birds are becoming a consistent part of the avian scene here in Hamilton.  I find it interesting that a bird typically associated with the boreal forest seems to have adopted most readily to the suburbs when it expanded into southern Ontario.

 

Paul

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Hamilton Birders email group.
To post to this group, send email to hamilt...@googlegroups.com
To reply to the group, click Reply-all. To reply to the individual who wrote the email, click Reply.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to
hamiltonbird...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/hamiltonbirds?hl=en?hl=en

[Jim Watt]

Owen,

I currently have a pair of Merlins just up the street at the intersection of Blyth Cres., Aintree Terrace and Elmhurst Rd in Oakville (Charnwood & Lakeshore Rd. area)

The male arrived on  this territory on  March 24th and about 2-1/2 weeks later was joined by a female. 

The birds favour the tops of the very tall, mature Norway Spruce in the immediate area. 

The male is extremely vocal while on patrol. Several times now I have witnessed the male in aggressive battle with the resident Blue Jays. He actively escorts out the area any local Red Tails and TV's.

I strongly suspect they are nesting but to date I have not found the nest. The spruce are about 120' tall, and the crowns rather dense. I have seen both birds dive into a spruce, and disappear, at the southeast corner of the intersection; therefore I suspect this tree.

Hopefully I will see some fledglings soon, 

Cheers,

Jim Watt

--