THE WILDLIFE TRUST: Merlin (Image: Stefan Johansson)
By Alan Wright
It is always interesting to test myself when Pointless throws in a wildlife question to bamboozle the stay-at-home contestants.
I tend to do pretty well, but they always throw in a satanic nightjar, horned screamer or red-rumped bush tyrant to confuse me and to increase my knowledge – all these birds actually exist but not necessarily in the UK.
Anyway, this week, Alexander and Richard were discussing birds of prey, and our smallest falcon, the merlin. This beautiful bird is not much bigger than a blackbird but it will feed on birds just over half its size, especially meadow pipits, who think low ground is safe until a merlin comes whizzing along.
READ MORE
On windy days, merlins will hang in the breeze, almost still, ready to pounce and pursue breakfast or dinner.
Male merlins have a grey head, orangey underparts, streaked with black, and are blue-grey above. Females are mainly grey-brown, with dark streaking underneath, this is great camouflage as they nest on the ground.
READ MORE
These are compact birds with blunt tails and broad-based wings, which are pointed at the tip.
Merlins in Manchester and North West tend to be resident, migrating to Bowland or the West Pennines in summer but preferring lower ground, which is warmer in winter. They will be joined by migrants from Iceland, in the colder months.
In winter you will see merlins around the coast but their main North West breeding area is the wonderful Forest of Bowland, but it was reported by the local Bird Atlas, that five pairs bred recently on the West Pennine Moors.
The Atlas describes our merlins as “altitudinal” migrants as they head down to the coast and hunt over much wider areas.
So the question you are asking is whether Merlin the wizard in the legends of King Arthur, was named after the bird? Apparently not, as Merlin is a modern form of the ancient Welsh name Myddrin.
The birds were named in the 1700s and they were known as pigeon hawks, because they could catch pigeons. Because of their size, they were also popular hunting birds for ladies, who liked to do that sort of thing, but didn’t want to carry a huge falcon around with them. It’s nice to know that birds are no longer accessories for the wealthy.
READ MORE
We are blessed in our region with some amazing birds of prey, from the peregrines that nest in Manchester city centre, to the kestrels that hover over verges looking for prey and buzzards flying majestically over our fields and woodland.
At the Wildlife Trust we hear tales of osprey, red kite and hen and marsh harrier hunting on our patch. This is brilliant news.
So, keep your eyes peeled for our smallest bird of prey, the merlin, this winter as it hangs around in the breeze and swoops to grab prey. Another special wildlife moment.
To become a member of the Trust go to the website.
For more wildlife columns, click here.
