Wild merlins

[Squirrel_Basher 17,102]

Out with the dogs today and saw a merlin tail chasing a lark .Brilliant .The lark tried to maintain the higher ground but the falcon ,just like a spitfire , kept back summersaulted to get even higher .The merlin folded for a swoop but the lark evaded last minute with a what looked like a mid air stall .Breathtaking really .The conclusion i never got to see as they went over the horizon .Very fast predator against a worthy ,thinking prey .No pics unfortunately .

[GET THEM OUT (.)(.) 39]

seen them a few times above my mates house in the summer when he has his birds out, they soon let you know when there something about, amazing birds, this summer we see 5 buzzards together with 2 pergrine falcons, they was just soaring above the village, then eventually floated off,

 

also see something big hovering in the distance as we got closer in the car it was a buzzard ! it wasnt hovering as good as a kestrel obviously, but it was for sure hovering, later that day my mate said, geuss what i see, f*****g BUZZARD HOVERING UP AT TOP OFF THE HILL ! , ,

 

atb, GTO,

[Neal 1,930]

I've only ever seen a merlin once and that, as in your case, was chasing a lark. It was near the Giant's Castle on St Mary's in The Scilly Isles about twenty years ago and, ironically, I saw my first and only hobby hovering right next to the castle within five minutes of it.

[Squirrel_Basher 17,102]

I've only ever seen a merlin once and that, as in your case, was chasing a lark. It was near the Giant's Castle on St Mary's in The Scilly Isles about twenty years ago and, ironically, I saw my first and only hobby hovering right next to the castle within five minutes of it.

Both are seen quite regular around us mate with the hobby more of a visitor .Saw a pair of merlins displaying last spring ,very vocal .

[parrots2 55]

seen these hunt swallows in spring and seem to out fly them easy

Edited December 23, 2009 by parrots2

[Squirrel_Basher 17,102]

Swallows appear to be straight line birds but the lark is very much a test for the wee falcon .

[EskdaleHawks 8]

Swallows appear to be straight line birds but the lark is very much a test for the wee falcon .

Merlins have to be one of the most agile little Falcons I have ever had the pleasure to whatch! Chasing larks over moorland! Makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck! Wonderful!