[Birdtalk] Falcons, etc.

[mjw22 at comcast.net]

Hello all,
   On Saturday, while out and about gathering leaves, my wife and I observed a few neat birds.  The first (9am) was a MERLIN at 3625 S W Temple.  I saw a falcon going after a smaller bird (starling?).  It seemed a bit small so my first thought was Kestrel, even though the behavior was wrong, but then, after missing the would-be meal, it made a beeline right over us, Merlin-style, and headed off to the east.  I also see the occasional COMMON RAVEN at this location...last sighting was Wednesday morning at around 7:30.
    Later that morning at about 1900 S, 300 E, I heard a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE and later my wife heard a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
    My other falcon sighting wasn't quite so obliging but still very neat.  In Midvale (~6800 S 600 E), While lining an upstairs window with plastic on Thursday (11/1) evening a medium-large falcon flew by, heading south fast.  From sight, I'd lean towards Peregrine but it may have been a larger Merlin.  I saw nothing but a quick silhouette in the near-darkness.  Earlier in the year (July?), my wife and I saw a Peregrine Falcon at Wheeler Farm, which isn't far.
RBNU and MOCH continue in our condo complex as well. We also saw some CALIFORNIA QUAIL on Saturday morning. They seem to have been laying low for the past few months...either that or our timing hasn't been coordinated.

Good Birding,
Matt Williams
Midvale, UT