ML643517972

观察细节

Merlin initially sighted getting harassed/chased by a single crow and disappeared into trees. Later picked him up harassing a single Kestrel. Watched him hunt/catch/eat numerous large grasshoppers both on the ground and in the air, which I did not know they did (confirmed with citation from Cornell’s Birds of the World - “An opportunistic hunter. Hawks flying insects, primarily dragonflies (Oliphant 1974), especially in late summer (recently fledged young) and during migration (both adults and yearlings)”. - A bit larger (but noticeably so) than AMKE and noticeably darker with prominent heavy streaking on under parts. Good scope views of him in sunlight on the ground eating large grasshopper. Also good scope views of AMKE on fence line and irrigation pipes for confirmation. The Merlin would engage the AMKE at various times in chase/harassment and a few times the AMKE engaged him. Last views were when 2 AMKE engaged him. - Tried to get pics in the air but camera AF would not lock on (post submission note - did capture pics of him in air hawking an insect and posted in sequence of capture/kill). May have distant pics of him on the ground. Longest observation (15-20 minutes) of an active feeding/hunting/flying Merlin I’ve ever had.