July 18th

Arrival time was 8:50am

We had some extremely high winds last night and I was worried about the nest. It went through at 4 am. But all seemed okay.

And then there were four!


8:50

Mother came in at 9:20 and just dropped a bird in the nest. All 3 eyas were accounted for and okay. Thankfully. Boy have they changed. Every day is another day of change for them. Fluff is dissappearing quickly. They preen and all you see is little white fluffs floating away from the nest tree. So magical. I noticed a bumble bee buzzing around the nest. One of the little eyas head was going from side to side and up and down following this bee. Incredible. Food arrived again to be dropped in by mother merlin. Looks like babes have to pluck it themselves this time. Unless she did that elsewhere. I didn't see her do it this time like usual. Then a lovely surprise.


9:18

What is this. # 4. We have not 3 but 4 baby eyas in that merlin nest. Oh how wonderful. Then Mom verbally flew over them. She is never far.

9:49

One nestling is on an outside branch. And is really hopping around. The house next door's dog Penny came to visit us. What a sweetheart she is. Momma merlin has been flying around vocalizing now for a while. Sun is out full force and the winds are blowing those babes in the tree top ever so gently. They are quiet.

9:55

Male arrives with food for female to get. She was in the tree this time and he gently flew by her and she grabbed it from his talons. He never landed. Very small parcel of food this time. I think the male must of had some first and then brought it to the female. This was her meal. Then she flew off. One young was very active in the nest. Branching,flapping around and looking like lift off was not far away.

10:14

Another meal arrives from Mom. She took it to the nest and appears she is teaching the young to pluck their own meals now.

10:25

One eyas is right out of the nest now. Just a bit.

10:44

Seems to be quiet time again. One still in the tree next to the nest. A bit of flapping & stretching. No parents heard for a bit now. Left at 11:00. All is quiet. 2 birds are outside the nest just a wee bit. Looks like 2 little males. Feathers are bluish.