Today's visiting raptor was a Merlin being chivvied by the Blue Jays near the head of the marsh. It stood its ground (or perch) against the jays but took off on my arrival showing the classic stocky Merlin profile with tapered, pointy wings and a hurried falcon flight just over the treetops. It might seem early for Merlin (a high northern nester) but I have seen them in early migration -- late August or early September -- over the years. I suspect that they follow the Tree Swallow migration which peaks about now.
Speaking of early migration from the north, Daniel Wilson tells me that he had a flock of Evening Grosbeaks come by for a brief visit at his East Moriches property last night. Evening Grosbeaks are not regarded as regular migrants in these parts but are rather an invasive species from its northern breeding grounds. Many years ago, Evening Grosbeaks were common visitors in fall and winter hereabouts but, for reasons unknown, their numbers have fallen off almost completely in the past few decades. Maybe this will be a northern finch winter -- one of those winters in which crop failures in the north woods push northern species to come wandering south in search of sustenance. Good for birders if not for the birds!
Eric Salzman
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