Raptor

Merlin

Falco columbarius

A compact, fierce falcon that winters along the coast and farmland of Whatcom and Skagit counties, chasing shorebirds, finches and other small birds at high speed.

Seasonality

Peaks in January. Mostly a migrant and winter visitor, from September to April.

Behavior

Launches fast, low pursuits from an exposed perch, often scattering flocks of dunlin or starlings.
Returns to the same treetop or snag perches through the winter.
Most arrive in September and leave by April.

Photography tips

Note favored perches and come back to them; a perched merlin is far easier to photograph than one in flight.
Shorebird flocks that suddenly bunch and wheel often mean a merlin or peregrine is hunting nearby.

Field ethics

Give perched birds space; a merlin spends most of its day resting between hunts.

Where to look

Semiahmoo SpitWhatcom County · Peaks in January
Lummi Flats & Red River RoadWhatcom County · Peaks in January
Padilla BaySkagit County · Peaks in January
Samish West 90Skagit County · Peaks in January
Samish East 90Skagit County · Peaks in January
Wiley SloughSkagit County · Peaks in January