The Magic of Merlin

The Merlin is the UK’s smallest bird of prey. It’s length is between 25-30cm, wingspan 50-62 cm and it’s weight 125-234g for the male, 164-300g for the female.

The best thing about bird watching is that you have no idea what is going to fly into view and when it is as magical as a Merlin, time stops. We were sitting in a hide, in a remote area on a Scottish island, looking out onto a hillside covered in heather.

We heard the calling first then saw, perched on a fence post over a hundred metres away, a male Merlin.  The female was on another fence post some way from him. How very small they are.  She flew off but they continued to call to each other and it was several minutes before we saw her again waiting on some heather. The male took off and flew low over the heather, slowly meandering his way towards her.  There she was, wings outstretched and tail fully displayed.  He was above her.  They mated.    How beautiful nature can be.

Even with a great camera and a great lens, if your subject is too far away and the lighting is against you, your pictures are not going to be great.  Having said that, this will most likely be a once in a lifetime experience for me so here are some of my pictures of this pair of mating Merlin.  Magical.