Date: 4/15/26 11:54 am From: Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Merlin nest near Sears St. and Cascadilla Ave., Ithaca
Hi Jonathan.
Thanks for the very helpful observations. 13 years ago this same tree (or possible the tree next to it) had a Fish Crow nest taken over by a Merlin, just as your observations suggest.) That year the nest failed for unknown reasons, although I suspected a Great Horned Owl.
Geo and I both picked up on the nest. Glad to meet you there, but we also have been watching it. Appreciate your additional observations, while Geo and I spend our time trying to find additional nests.John Confer
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 02:32:11 PM EDT, Jonathan Hanft <liatris18...> wrote:
Greetings
Here are my observations so far of a Merlin nest in a large pine tree in a residential backyard on the NE side of Cascadilla Creek between Cayuga and Sears Streets. I will enter them into eBird. I'm trying to observe daily. Because the nest is in a thick whorl of branches, second whorl from the top of the tree, the entire nest isn't visible from the street. Happy to show you location and where I think the best places to view are.
Location information: White pine in backyard (up against back fence of house with address on west side of Tioga St.) next to little red barn on NE side of the creek. Best viewing position seems to be the orange and green fire hydrant at the corner of Sears St. and Cascadilla Ave on the SW side of the creek by facing north and a bit east.
Late in the week of March 22. Observed crow bringing sticks to a nest in the pine tree from a deciduous tree across the creek. Watched it bring two sticks to nest on two separate trips. Unable to definitely ID crow as American or Fish by sight. Didn't hear call, although I suspect it's a fish crow because I've heard Fish Crows roosting in another three in the area at other times.
Week of March 29. Observed an aerial interaction that appeared to be a conflict between Merlin and Crow above the pine tree.
4/10/26.
Approximately 4:00 pm. Observed one of the Merlins in what appears to be a declining ash tree across the creek from the white pine tree where the nest is. Also observed same Merlin fly into the nest which stayed for a very short while. Also saw its mate, possibly the female because it looked a bit bigger, in a silver maple tree in front of 415 N. Tioga St.
4/11/26
Observed nest with scope from 5:30 to 6:00 pm. No Merlin activity in nest or surrounding area observed. 4 turkey vultures circled over the area, coincidentally?
4/13/26
4:22pm
Watched Merlin perched on branch next to nest before it hopped into the nest.
4/14/26
11:10 am
Unable to see if a Merlin is in the nest. Observed one of the Merlin‘s, possibly the male (seemed to be the smaller of the two), circling twice over the area while calling.
4/15/26
8:25 - 8:35 am. No Merlins observed in the area, Unable to see into the nest to see if bird is present.
