We have an unusual observation to share from yesterday at The Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. About noon, while doing our Sunday morning bird count from the observation deck, we were thrilled to have a single late Chimney Swift zipping by us at the deck and cruising low over Pond #4. In the middle of Pond #4 is a landmark, the Merlin Tree, triple dead snags, so named because our usual wintering Merlin hangs out here, as it was yesterday. The Chimney Swift, unfortunately passed to close to the Merlin, which immediately snatched it out of the air, returning to its perch, for a flying cigar hors d'oeuvre for lunch. This is definitely one of the most bizarre bird sightings we have ever witnessed. Also of note, earlier in the morning, the Merlin shared its tree with a wintering Northern Shrike. In a little over two hours, we recorded 44 species from the observation deck area. The Mill Creek Sanctuary is a 260 acre restricted access preserve in eastern Mahoning County. The observation deck is open to the public for excellent spotting scope viewing!

Bob and Denise Lane / Mahoning County

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