We’re back with #hotbirdinhand! Banders at Palomarin caught the first-ever #Merlin recorded in Palomarin’s history! Merlins are a widespread species of falcon found across much of the Northern Hemisphere. Despite being a winter resident in Marin County, they are not especially common. In fact, throughout the Palomarin Field Station’s history, banders have never captured a Merlin in any of their nets–that is, until December 31st, 2024, when they were thrilled to find one in a net at their field site at the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. Now that’s a good send-off to 2024! These small, fierce falcons inhabit a wide variety of habitats around the globe and migrate northward just before the breeding season. Like other falcons, they specialize in capturing and eating other birds–often in mid-air! While their plumage tends to be darker above and paler below, the extent of the dark coloration can vary geographically. This particular Merlin likely belongs to the “prairie” subspecies, which exhibits an especially pale plumage and is typically found in an entirely different part of the continent – the Great Plains! In Marin County, we usually see Merlins belonging to the “taiga” subspecies, which are slate brown above and heavily streaked and cream-colored below. Not only did we catch our very first Merlin, but we also caught a particularly unusual subspecies! Early-career bird banders are part of a rigorous training program at Point Blue’s Palomarin Field Station, where they learn to capture birds safely using mist nets and record data on each bird caught. The information collected allows us to better understand how populations of birds are doing and in turn gives us insight into the health of the systems we research. Learn more about our seasonal apprenticeships by visiting the careers page on our website. Writer: Paul Kessler 📸: A small falcon is held securely around the legs and wings, credit: Paul Kessler #PalomarinFieldStation #PointBlue #MarinBirding #BirdBanding #BirdsOfNorthAmerica #BirdNerd #Ornithology (fb)

🐦🌿 Join us for a low-key bird walk on Thursday, May 15th at Point Blue HQ in Petaluma! This event is part of a monthly third Thursday series and is led by our very own Lishka Arata–Bird Nerd Extraordinaire! Connect with nature and each other while discovering the diverse avian life around us. These walks create an inclusive environment where birders of all experience levels can build community through shared exploration. Whether you’re a first-time visitor curious about Point Blue’s conservation efforts or a longtime member, you’ll find a warm welcome. Let’s learn together about birds and conservation! #Birds #Birdwatching #PetalumaBirding #PointBlue #BirdNerdsUnite (fb)