Merlin at Greenbury Point

It was quite cold this morning, so I had planned a quick car visit to a few spots in hopes of running across a Snowy Owl. I didn’t actually find much at Thomas Point, but Jonas Green and Greenbury Point were worthwhile.
The Merlin is only my second. Apparently this bird is only seen here in the Winter.

This Song Sparrow was foraging in the cold. You have to admire their hardiness.

This Red Bellied Woodpecker was one of the few birds moving around with the Merlin in the vicinity.

My friend Dan calls this Merlin, “One of the coolest birds on the planet.”
Cornell:
“Merlins are small, fierce falcons that use surprise attacks to bring down small songbirds and shorebirds. They are powerful fliers, but you can tell them from larger falcons by their rapid wingbeats and overall dark tones. Medieval falconers called them “lady hawks,” and noblewomen used them to hunt Sky Larks. Merlin populations have largely recovered from twentieth-century declines, thanks to a ban on the pesticide DDT and their ability to adapt to life around towns and cities.”