I was able to photograph one of the chicks in the nest this afternoon as well as 
the female who was busy driving off a red-tailed hawk and bald eagle.

I also posted a close up pic of the female that I took in April on my blog. You 
can find it here.

Thanks,
Jeff Fischer
http://ecobirder.blogspot.com/




________________________________
From: James P. Mattsson <mattsson.jim@COMCAST.NET>
To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU
Sent: Mon, July 4, 2011 6:15:49 PM
Subject: [mou-net] Merlin nest, Dakota Co.

For the second year in a row, Merlins have nested at Acacia Cemetery Park in 
Dakota County. Four young successfully fledged in 2010. On 3 July 2011, at least 
3 rather large downy young were seen moving about the nest by my brothers Donn, 
Richard and myself. Both adults were present. Again this year, the male is of 
the prairie subspecies, richardsonii , and most likely the same individual as in 
2010. The female, however, appears to me to possibly be a hybrid richardsonii X 
taiga , based on intermediate characteristics between the two subspecies. 


The nest is located in a pine tree about 100m WSW of the 2010 nest. It is about 
1 m below the very top center and visible only from a couple of select vantage 
points. Although I have photos of this female taken in May, I would appreciate 
seeing any photos of this female taken by others. 


Jim Mattsson 
Eagan 

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