Hi all, I'll add another Merlin report to Lindsay's. While doing the Columbus Christmas Bird County today, our party found the Green Lawn Cemetery Merlin lounging about the uppermost dead branches of a large sycamore not far south of the bridge. It was a female, and exceedingly cooperative. Our team advanced slowly to the base of her tree, and she would scarcely bestow a glance our way. We were seemingly of no interest to her, and not worthy of any attention. I love these arrogant falcons! Anyway, this allowed for outstanding views, and many good photos were taken. She will star on the Internet before long! We also had a few Red-breasted Nuthatches, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, a Yellow-rumped Warbler amongst more common species. Hundreds of American Robins were about as well. Jim McCormac Columbus, Ohio Like nature? Visit my blog: http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/ Like birds? Join the Ohio Ornithological Society: http://www.ohiobirds.org -----Original Message----- From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Deering, Lindsay Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:33 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [Ohio-birds] Franklin Co. Merlin During our Columbus CBC, we observed a Merlin at Wolfe Park on the Scioto River on East Broad St. in Columbus (almost to Bexley). We were able to watch it eat a small bird while sitting in a tree near the tennis courts right by the parking lot. Then, as we started walking the park, the Merlin sat still and we were able to walk right up to the tree it was in. Unfortunately, I only had my cell phone camera and the photos are pretty poor. Lindsay Deering Grove City ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]