On September 15, we saw a Merlin at Beechwood / Don Valley but, as I did not have a long lens on my camera, I was unable to photograph it. This morning probably the same Merlin was in the same tree and I was prepared!
Merlins often hunt by perching near an open field or lake and waiting for a small bird to pass by. They also catch flying insects and bats.
Merlins and Robins are the same length.
MYSTERY BIRD
I received this photo from Heather Pantrey and think that it would be a good mystery bird. I will identify it at the end of the post.
Other birds:
Species list: merlin, red-tailed hawk, ring-billed gull, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, eastern phoebe, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, American robin, gray catbird, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, song sparrow. (13 species)
Don Valley views:
Today’s group:
Some botany:
MYSTERY BIRD
a Cape May Warbler in fall plumage.
NATURE POETRY
The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook. – Helen Hunt Jackson (1830–85)
Miles Hearn
ng sparrow. (12 species)
I read the title a bit too quickly and got excited that Merlin had a still by the Don River!
As for the red-eared slider, there’s a condo on Yonge Street that has an indoor koi pond which also features two red-eared sliders, I believe. Apparently they have been there since the condo was built 25 years ago and there was a third who just passed away recently. The two survivors don’t look a day over 24!