Stars Didn’t Align

photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

Mother Nature had other plans…over the last little while appears the Crows have pushed the Merlin’s out of the area.
Having had high hopes that they would be able to coexist I knew the chances would be slim to none.

Perhaps next year as there will be another vacant nest for them to check out.
So I’ll be stuck with Crows that may again find the fountain and birdbath in the back yard…even Crows are interesting to watch.

Interesting Neighbors

photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

As of late I’ve noticed that a pair of Merlin’s are expressing great interest in a pine tree close to me and doing all the right things. Not being nest builders they tend to use abandoned Crow’s nest from the previous year.
Females are dark brown and larger than the gray-blue males and about half the size of a Peregrine.
The prolonged kee,kee,kee,kee calling is unmistakable…some may find the sounds annoying along with the fact that their main diet consists of small birds.
Hopefully they won’t be chased off by Crows as I’m looking forward to the possibility they may nest.
Time will tell.