FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Merlin at Kingsport -- update

["Rick Phillips" <rickanddonna98@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

After several days of fruitless searching I relocated the Merlin this morning 
(8:50am, Feb. 24) at Oak Hill Cemetery in Kingsport.  The bird was perched in 
the top of the same spruce tree as the day it was originally found on February 
18.  The merlin perched in the tree-top for about 15 minutes before swooping 
down and flying off.  It was lost to sight almost immediately.  This 
gray-backed bird is very difficult to see from the back when below the skyline, 
especially in dark conditions.  I searched for another hour without relocating 
the bird.
Oak Hill Cemetery is located off of Truxton Drive in north Kingsport (just 
north of the 11W-Highway 36 intersection).  Coming from Bristol, Truxton Drive 
is a right turn off of 11W just before the exit to Highway 36 going to Lynn 
Garden and on towards Gate City.  The cemetery entrance is on your right just a 
few hundred yards from the turn off of 11W.  You can also access Truxton Drive 
from Highway 36 by turning through the Kentucky Fried Chicken parking lot just 
a couple hundred yards on the right after exiting onto Highway 36 from 11W.  
After passing through the cemetery entrance take the first left.  Just up this 
road take the first right turn then the first fork to the left at a sign 
labeled "Section A".  Travel a bit looking at the tops of the tall spruce trees 
to your right.  In a bit you will see a marker on your left for a small garden 
called "Devotion".  Twice I have found the bird in the dead top of a tall 
spruce tree off to the right of this marker.  This isn't an easy bird to see 
below the skyline if he has his back to you.  He is a dark, blue-gray and hard 
to see against the dark foliage of the spruce trees.  The breast is light buff 
and streaked and it's much easier to see him from the front.  I visited the 
cemetery a number of times since I initially located the bird on February 18 
and did not see him again until today.  He may be hunting bird feeders at homes 
near the cemetery.  Good luck and I'll keep you posted on any sightings.

Rick

Rick Phillips
Kingsport, Tennessee
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