Merlin in Dakota County
2010-06-17

Uncommon in Dakota County in the Summer season

I first saw this Prairie subspecies (F.c. richardsonii) bird 4/17 at Acacia Cemetery, Mendota Heights. A female taiga (F.c. columbarius) was also present. I assumed they were migrants. Happily, they were not, they stayed to nest. This male was photographed near its nest which contained 4 downy young. Note the overall paleness of this subspecies, the orangish streaking, and the lack of a moustachial stripe. Also, note there are at least 4-5 white bands visible on the tail; there are only 3 on a taiga Merlin. First county breeding record.

James P. Mattsson Digiscoped image using Nikon 4300, enlarged and cropped.