Good Neighbors

North Seattle's tall trees attracted the 1st nesting Merlin (falcon) pair in the city for the second year. Five young hatched, 4 fledged and the remaining less-developed chick tried to follow, crashed into a tree and fell. Watchful neighbors and birders rescued the downy nestling and took it to PAWS Wildlife Center. Two days later, PAWS returned it to the nest site for a successful release. All 5 fledglings are expanding their flight range but still being fed by the adults.

These Merlins bring birders and neighbors from both last year's and this year's nests to watch, encourage and exclaim their progress: practicing flight between trees and calling for food.