[Birdtalk] Fall birds

[John Morgan]

Adding to Kris's Fall and Winter birds being seen, I'm hesitant to say I saw a Merlin on the neighbor's roof. Hesitant because this is not Merlin country here in West Jordan (except during migration?), but upon seeing the bird as I pulled in the driveway, then running for the binoculars, I flushed it away as it saw me creeping out of the garage door to get in position.

The bird flew to a nearby power pole where I was able to get good long looks. A little larger, stronger-looking and definitely not an American Kestrel, this bird had the telltale faint eyestripe of a Falcon. No tail bobbing at all, dark brown topside with slight stripes on tail and faint variegated striping on tummy. Pointy wings, no orange and blue, not a Sharp-Shinned hawk (which I've seen often enough to know the difference).

Always fun to see the rare passers by. Perhaps he/she was looking to invite one of my many Finches to dinner. Such a bird would seem to be able to invite whomever it wants to assist in the meal preparations.
John
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