BWCA East Bearskin Falcons? Boundary Waters Group Forum: Bird Watchers
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      East Bearskin Falcons?     

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08/10/2019 09:30PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
My wife and I recently started and ended a trip at East Bearskin. While paddling across the lake to the campground, we were watching a family of mergansers. They were wary of use, but didn't seem too concerned. Suddenly we heard a loud "scree, scree, scree," and three small falcons flew 10 feet over our head. This produced sheer panic in the mergansers. They had very pointy wings, and seemed to just be flying around the lake "screeing."

We stayed at the Campground, and these falcons were around all morning the next day. Two of them seemed to be fighting over a smaller bird that they were eating. I did see them with a larger falcon in the top of a broken off pine. It had a ruddy breast with pronounced bands. My wife and I thought that these falcons were young and the other falcon their mother. I'm not an expert, but I thought they were peregrines. Is this plausible? Is there a more likely raptor?
 
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08/11/2019 09:03AM  
If they had pointy wings a falcon is likely. The ruddy breast would probably indicate Merlin, however. Merlin is about Crow-sized, but certainly sleeker. My last two trips to the BWCA in 2016 and 2018 I was surprised to see quite a few Merlin.
 
08/11/2019 11:22AM  
sedges: "If they had pointy wings a falcon is likely. The ruddy breast would probably indicate Merlin, however. Merlin is about Crow-sized, but certainly sleeker. My last two trips to the BWCA in 2016 and 2018 I was surprised to see quite a few Merlin."


Thanks. The young, especially, were small and had very slim, pointy wings, almost like seagull wings. They were quite vocal, too.

We are looking through our raptor book, and couldn't decide if they are Merlin or Peregrines. My wife didn't think there were Merlins in the BWCA.
 
08/11/2019 01:20PM  
The BWCA is at the very southern edge of the Merlin breeding range. I camped on an island in Long Island Lake both 2016 and 2018 and it was the center of activity for a merlin family both years. I am assuming it was the same pair. They would fly through the campsite at full speed. It was great fun to watch.
 
corvidologist
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02/09/2020 11:37AM  
Sorry to resurrect but I can provide some feedback...

Merlins are increasing a lot since DDT is gone and have expanded their range deep into Minnesota - down to the Metro. They are quite common now in the BW (for a raptor) and are often easily visible. If you are near a nest you will hear them for certain!

They nest in trees, unlike peregrines (which like cliffs) so they are much more likely sighting than peregrines.
 
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