Merlin

Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Uncommon bird: +3 points when you log it.

Merlin in the UK

Merlin breeds on moorland in Scotland, northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a few in south-west England. The last national survey, in 2008, estimated 1,150 pairs, a small fall from the previous survey in 1993 to 1994. It is on the UK Red List. In autumn most upland birds move down to coasts and lowland farmland and are joined by Merlins from Iceland, so it is more widespread in winter than in summer. It is a Schedule 1 species, so disturbing birds at or near the nest is an offence.

Where and when to see a Merlin

October to March is easiest. Watch estuaries, saltmarsh, coastal grazing marsh and open farmland where pipits, larks, finches and small waders gather. The Dee Estuary at Parkgate is a well-known winter site, and most large coastal marshes hold one or two. Look for a small dark falcon sitting on a fence post, a clod of earth or a low bush, or a sudden panic among small birds. In summer, scan open heather moor from public roads and paths early and late in the day.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Moorland (summer); coast (winter).
Diet: Small birds.
Field note: UK's smallest raptor; low fast hunter.

How to identify a Merlin

Smaller than a Kestrel. The male is not much bigger than a Mistle Thrush. Compact, with broad-based pointed wings and a shortish tail. Males are blue-grey above with a black band at the tail tip and rusty, finely streaked underparts. Females and juveniles are dark brown above and heavily streaked below, with a barred tail. The face is plain, with only a faint moustache. Flight is fast and low with quick, flickering wingbeats, often ending in a twisting chase after one small bird. It rarely hovers.

Call and song

Mostly silent away from the nest. On breeding moors the alarm call is a fast, shrill, chattering 'kee-kee-kee-kee', higher and quicker than a Kestrel's. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Kestrel: Kestrel is longer-tailed, chestnut-backed and hovers; Merlin is compact, dark above and dashes low.
• Sparrowhawk: Sparrowhawk has broad, blunt wings and a long tail, and flies with a flap-flap-glide; Merlin's wings are pointed and beat without pause.
• Peregrine Falcon: Peregrine is much larger and heavier-chested with a bold black moustache.

Related guide UK raptors and owls.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Merlin is an Uncommon tier bird, worth +3 points when you log one. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Merlin is on the list:

• Islay

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Eurasian HobbyUncommon · Heathland
• GyrfalconEpic · Cliffs (rare winter visitor)
• Peregrine FalconUncommon · Cliffs
• American KestrelLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Amur FalconLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Eleonora's FalconEpic · Mediterranean sea-cliffs

Merlin: quick answers

Where can I see a Merlin in the UK?

In winter, on almost any big estuary or coastal marsh, and on open lowland farmland with flocks of small birds. Pick a wide view, sit still and scan the fence lines. In summer they are thinly spread across upland heather moor in the north and west.

What does a Merlin eat?

Small birds caught in flight after a low, fast chase. On the moors that mostly means Meadow Pipits, along with larks and wheatears. In winter it takes finches, pipits, larks and small waders. Large flying insects are also eaten.

Is the Merlin rare in the UK?

It is scarce, not rare. The breeding population is small and spread over a huge area of upland, so you seldom see one by chance in summer. Winter is different: with patience most coastal birders see several each year.

Kit that helps

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