Merlin still by the Don River: September 27, 2021

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!

Merlin
Merlin
Merlin
Merlin

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.

Merlin
Merlin

Merlins and Robins are the same length.

Merlin
Merlin

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:

Eastern Phoebe
Song Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe

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:

Red-eared Slider

Red-eared Slider

Today’s group:

Some botany:

Hawthorn (Crataegus)

Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria)
Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)
Hawthorn (Crataegus)
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii)
Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Black-eyed Suzie (smaller version of Black-eyed Susan)
Brown-lipped Snail on Milkweed
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Xanthium strumarium (cocklebur also called clotbur)

MYSTERY BIRD

a Cape May Warbler in fall plumage.

fall Cape May Warbler (photo: Heather Pantrey)

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)

1 thought on “Merlin still by the Don River: September 27, 2021

  1. Brian

    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!

    Reply

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