While working our section of Darlene Sillick's O'Shaughnessy Reservoir
Christmas Bird Count Circle, John Lennon, Warren Grody and I located a Merlin
along the edge of the reservoir just south of the Twin Lakes Preserve Area and
across from the Columbus Zoo. The Merlin was ultra cooperative doing a loop
flyover and then landing in a tree directly in front of us where it sat in the
sunlight and preened. We managed to move in closer, a couple of hundred feet
from it and enjoyed this delightful bird. As it preened it seemed to be trying
to clearly show its field marks, streaked underside, tail bands, etc. We
kept getting distract by the Bald Eagles doing a mating flight above us, not
that we're complaining about them. We finally had to remember our purpose for
being out and after watching the Merlin for half an hour we continued on in our
area. We managed to provide Darlene with 41 species in our small area. This
was  a nice way to pass my second day out to bird for 2009. Darlene will likely
post  her circle's results soon and from the information I have heard thus
far the  list should be an eye opener . A magical rabbit was pulled from her
magic  hat this year, but we'll leave the thunder to Darlene.

Charlie Bombaci

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headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)

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