Summary
- Natural history: The Merlin is a small but fierce falcon known to harass much larger birds, including flickers and Golden Plovers, seemingly just for sport. As a nesting species, its presence in Vermont is a brand-new phenomenon, since the state’s first confirmed nest, a pair with four young in the town of Johnson, was not found until 1997. Like other raptors, Merlins suffered reduced breeding success from DDT contamination decades ago, but because they nest in remote country far from human view, their recovery has drawn far less public attention in Vermont than the celebrated comebacks of the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon.
- Status in VT: Increased by 1,200% (0 to 12 blocks). Greatest increases in Champlain Valley.
- Data from other research: No additional data for VT.
- Conservation status: State rank S2B
- Other atlases: NY: 1,400%; ON: 100%
- VT’s role in North American range: VT is at the southern edge of the range.
- Causes of change since first Atlas:Discontinuation of DDT use, which interfered with reproduction; ability to nest in urban to remote habitats that provide a sufficient prey base and large trees for nesting.
- Management/Monitoring recommendations: No specific recommendations.
First Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (1976-1981)
Species Account Not Available
Second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (2003 – 2007)
Change in Distribution
