Peatland wildlife

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Description

At 25-30cm long, the merlin our smallest bird of prey. The male has blue-grey upperparts and pale buffish-brown underparts with dark streaks. The female and young are dark brown above and look similar. The merlin has the typical long pointed wings of falcons, designed for high-speed flight and quick acceleration.

Behaviour

The merlin is often seen perched on a fence post or rock, which they use as lookout posts. When they spot their prey, they chase it in a low, dashing flight often just a few feet above the ground. Merlins frequent upland bogs in the breeding season but move to low-lying open countryside in winter.

Breeding

Merlins nest on the ground in thick cover among the Heather and bracken, although they will often use an old abandoned crow's nest. The female lays between three and five eggs at two day intervals between May and June. Unusually for raptors, merlins start incubation only after the whole clutch has been laid. The male helps with the incubation and also provides for the female and young while they are at the nest.

Status

Local

The merlin is rare and declining and it is estimated that there are only 20-30 nest sites in Northern Ireland. The merlin is afforded special protection in Northern Ireland under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Order.

European

The merlin is listed in Annex I, of the Birds Directive, Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Appendix II of the Bonn Convention.