NPSpecies

Present April - December (Witt 1997).

Native to North America (Long 1981) and Maine (Palmer 1949).

Uncommon spring migrant, occasional in summer, rare breeder, common fall migrant, accidental in winter (Witt 1997).

Park Species Detail: Woods (1997): 61 were observed from Cadillac Mountain during 37 days of observations between 2 September and 14 October 1997. Woods (1995): 26 were observed from Cadillac Mountain during 31 days of observations between 28 August and 17 October 1995. College of the Atlantic (1988): 49 were observed from Beech Mountain during 27 days of observations between 12 September and 12 October 1988. Major (1987): 41 were observed from Beech Mountain during 75 days of observations between 31 August and 15 November 1987. Major and Mittelhauser (1986): 66 were observed from Beech Mountain during 76 days of observations between 30 August and 13 November 1986. Russell (1984?) rare spring migrant, uncommon fall migrant, accidental in winter. Maximum count of 3 at Cadillac Summit on 28 September 1965 (T. Francis). Adamus (1983) rare but regular summer occurrence in Maine; species breeds rarely at similar latitudes in Quebec and Nova Scotia; No substantiated nesting records exist for Maine. Baird (1983) recorded from Beech Mountain during the fall of 1980. Bond (1969) merlin is a transient on MDI. Bond (1948): Observed on the burnt land near Bar Harbor on June 3, 1948. Bond (19??) fairly common transient; casual in summer. Eliot (1931) Observed on Mount Desert Island during July 1931; likely observed northwest of Somesville on 2 July 1931., Park Species Data Source: Witt (1997); Woods (1997); Woods (1995); College of the Atlantic (1988); Major (1987); Major and Mittelhauser (1986); Russell (1984?); Baird (1983) Legacy NPSpecies information may no longer be applicable, please remove if it is not applicable. In legacy NPSpecies Residency was Unknown with comment: Sightings of birds during summer within the park, but no other direct evidence of breeding to date (Witt 1997). Sibley (2000) migratory throughout Maine, summers in inland and northern parts of Maine.