I should have had the courage of my convictions. The raptor in the last post was, indeed, a Merlin. After everyone had convinced me to look for a reason as to how I could have been so mistaken after being so sure, The Fates intervened. I wish they hadn't. On Saturday the Merlin made an attempt to take a sparrow from the birdtable, overshot, crashed and broke a wing. Although I called the SSPCA and gave her water from a dropper she soon went into shock and died. This morning the ornithologist and vet confirmed that she was a Merlin and that she was far too small to be a female Sparrowhawk even if the markings had not been sufficient identification.
I'd rather have been wrong and that she had lived.
Oh no, poor thing! These things happen, and of course we know they do, but it is extra hard to have it happening when we are there to witness it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Meike, it was an unhappy moment.
DeleteRest in Peace Merlin
ReplyDeleteShe lives on in blogland.
Maywyn you have given me a great idea for my epitaph!
DeleteThat is an awful pity and unfortunately similar accidents do occur to various fledglings.
ReplyDeleteYes, Heron, I frequently get the large outline of a pigeon on my windows but, oddly, have never yet seen one killed. Starlings on the other hand seem to have very unforgiving heads.
DeleteOh what a shame, that is so sad. Poor thing.
ReplyDeleteIt was, indeed, Serenata. I suppose there is a sparrow somewhere playing the Glad Game.
DeleteHow very sad. Why is it that sick wild things, lovingly nurtured in cardboard boxes, always die (I've had several)? As you say, Graham, probably the shock.
ReplyDeleteYes, Frances, when they go into shock it's quite horrible.
DeleteOh! How dreadfully sad!
ReplyDeleteIt is some consolation that she was appreciated and cared for.
Well, Kylie, given the number of cats in the area it could have been even more unpleasant all round.
DeleteThat's a sad close encounter. They are beautiful to watch when they go into a dive
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are, Red.
DeleteWe have several large plate glass windows/doors, so I know the sadness. The last to succumb was a Cuckoo.
ReplyDeleteCro I have a friend who gets woken up every morning at a certain time of year by a cuckoo 3 metres from his kitchen window. He probably would not share your sadness.
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