<html><body><div>July 14, 2022</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hi Michelle,</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I visually encountered a MERLIN adult female 'alarm calling' while conducting a Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Route in WA - June, 2010.</div><div><br></div><div>I did three JULY follow-ups post-BBS to determine reproduction. <br></div><div><br></div><div>On one of these three visits, a MERLIN adult brought back an immature (most likely Rufous for this specific area) hummingbird & also a Pine Siskin on the same morning, perched with each prey in its bill to wait for a food-transfer to its partner, who flew by, captured the prey with its talons from its partner's bill, and then flew to the nest to feed nestlings (heard only).</div><div><br></div><div>Sooo, what I am suggesting with this described experience is that you may have also witnessed an adult MERLIN capturing a Bushtit to feed to its nestlings.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>CJ FLICK</div><div>White Salmon, WA<br></div></body></html>