The Merlin is a fast and energetic falcon, known from boreal and coniferous forests where the bird breeds in the high latitudes. Since Wisconsin’s first Breeding Bird Atlas, the Merlin has expanded its territory to include vast areas of the state. Only documented in the pineries surrounding Vilas County and the northwest barrens habitat in the first atlas, the Merlin now breeds far into southern Wisconsin along with a cosmopolitan suite of species adapted to habitats like downtown Madison.

For nesting purposes, Merlins prefer open forest areas with a coniferous component. Nests will often be constructed near large bodies of water, and areas in northern Wisconsin with chains of lakes tend to have higher densities of Merlins. Birds will place nests in the last fork at the top of a tree, frequently using old crow nests. Thus, increasing crow populations and the ban on DDT probably help explain the Merlin’s recent expansion in Wisconsin.

Merlins have been historically documented within the Apostle Islands, and continue to nest there today. While monitoring the state endangered Piping Plover in 2014, I was tasked with noting potential predators of the birds and taking actions to prevent predation. A close call came early on that summer when a huge snapping turtle emerged from Lake Superior and ambled along the beach. I followed behind the turtle as it walked up to the exclosure around the Piping Plover nest, seemingly sniffing at the eggs. Fortunately the exclosure kept out the giant turtle and I tossed it back into its spacious ice water mansion. One day, I spotted with my scope a Merlin atop a piece of driftwood. Far from the plover nest and hearing the alarm calls of the Piping Plovers, I rushed back to the nest to try and dissuade the bird from eating the recently hatched plover chicks. Alas, when I returned, I was one chick short—the Merlin had made it away with the fourth.

*Merlin at Faville Grove Sanctuary, photo by Drew Harry*

Just in the past week at Faville Grove I saw a Merlin along Prairie Lane. It was hanging out along the edge of the road, and as I drove by I noticed it kick up and fly into the next field over. I quickly snapped some photos, and it looks like the bird caught a white-footed deer mouse. I believe I saw a Merlin a few weeks prior on the other side of the sanctuary. The birds have been more frequently overwintering in southern Wisconsin, so you might yet be able to see this pugnacious predator fluttering through the skies.

Written by Drew Harry, Faville Grove Sanctuary