Merlin mania in the Yorkshire Dales!

Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group

These heart warming images were sent in to the office almost simultaneously by several of our moor keepers. They are from seven different estates and show just how optimised our moorland habitats are for these dashing little hawks.

Here in the Dales all of our managed grouse moors have breeding merlins present. Some estates have two, three and even four broods present .

This is a creditable though familiar annual achievement and reflects just how vital our grouse moors are for yet another red listed ground nester. The merlin (Falco columbarius) is the UK's smallest breeding raptor. These little falcons may seem diminutive in stature but they are full of courage, endurance and determination when hunting prey species. Their favoured prey items are primarily avian such as the meadow pipit but they will also take larger birds and can tackle birds up to the size of a small wader. Other prey types include large insects and the occasional vole but the merlin is almost entirely a bird catcher.

A typical brood is four to five but this can be limited by prey abundance. Chick survival can be quite low in the first few weeks of life, as low as 23% but once fledged the youngsters, or eyasses, can go on to live for several years. These images show some healthy broods which is a good indication that our moors are healthy.

Keepers in the YDMG are licenced to monitor nests as part of a long running project that records the productivity of our grouse moors. The important predator control carried out by the keepers and the safeguarding measures put in place to protect these pretty little falcons is clearly reaping dividends.