Merlin

[astafjevs]

Has anyone got any pictures of a merlin in 'high-level' flight (preferably taken from beneath)?

I think I saw one hunting amongst a starling flock yesterday afternoon, it looked like a mini-peregrine with buffish underparts. It didn't look much like a sparrowhawk, but when the starlings settled in trees it spent a short while soaring/circling and gliding way up high, which I wouldn't have expected a merlin to do?

Whatever it was, it was entirely unsuccessful.

Thanks!

[aquila 1]

sounds more like a male sparrowhawk, never seen a merlin go for starlings.when a merlin ends a chase they normaly settle on a post or rock. best regards mac

[astafjevs]

Maybe, Mac. I've edited the orignal post as I only watched it for about 2 or 3 minutes which doesn't constitute a long time.

I am sure merlins do go for starlings, a quick google confirms it.

This bird exploded up out of a tree into the ball of starlings, but missed, then had a couple more goes, but the starlings 'held firm' in their formation so he didn't get the chance to chase a loose one, and then the starlings settled back down in the trees and the hunter circled for a bit, and then I lost him to sight.

It absolutely could have been a sparrowhawk, but seemed smaller, more buff underneath and was able to wind-hover (not as well as a kestrel!)

I'd still be interested in pics though.

[Kingfisher]

I've got a really rubbish shot!

[astafjevs]

Thanks Sandra

It's not that bad, I wish the view I'd had of it was as good as that!!

it actually looks quite good for what I thought I saw, but the angle isn't the same so it isn't conclusive. I was directly under this bird, but it was a lot further up!

[aquila 1]

You did well getting that shot sandra, well done, regards mac

[Little Sparrow]

Have you looked on Google Images Stuart? There are some good shots of Merlins in 'high level' flight.

[dales birder]

I have seen Merlin get stuck into local Starling roosts on our nearby reserves but as Mac says the behaviour at the end is not Merlin like,more like a Sprawk's behaviour

[Dave Appleton]

Originally Posted by astafjevs

Has anyone got any pictures of a merlin in 'high-level' flight (preferably taken from beneath)?

My Merlin photos are here, but they're a bit ropey, especially the one that's in high-level flight and taken from beneath!

This will probably have to go down as unidentified I fear. In some ways it sounds like Sparrowhawk but I don't think I've ever seen Sparrowhawk hovering. Merlins don't hover much at all, but they do occasionally. I've only seen a Merlin hover once, but I don't see all that many of them.

[dales birder]

I think most raptors will "hover"some better than others but in most cases it seems to be just holding into the wind or maybe a stall turn het only lasts a couple of seconds