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Merlins Rescued at Peninsula State Park

Recently, Jason Wilke, Peninsula State Park’s Invasive Species Coordinator, followed up on a visitor’s report of two grounded nestlings at Blossomburg Cemetery. Sure enough, two downy falcons huddled miserably beneath a large white pine tree. Wilke carefully looked and listened for adult birds but found none. Storm clouds were brewing over the bay, and rain began to fall. Wilke carefully lifted the falcons with gloved hands. That night, staff fed the birds beef heart (donated from Bley’s Grocery in Jacksonport) soaked in Gatorade.

The next day, the birds were transported to Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. Bay Beach is licensed to rehabilitate raptors and other wild animals.

The three-week old nestlings were young Merlins (Falco columbarius). When fully grown, they will be near robin size. Merlins summer in the northern quarter of Wisconsin in coniferous forest areas that have patchy openings for hunting. They can eat four to five song birds in a day! The Merlin does not build a nest, instead it uses an old American Crow stick nest.

The Merlin is federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In Wisconsin, this falcon has just been removed from the Species of Special Concern. DNR biologists, however, still consider it a rare and notable sighting.

The birds will be released in September.