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You are here: Home > See and Do > Closer to Wildlife > Bird of Prey Trail > Birds of Prey > Merlin

Merlin

This is a bird of rolling moorland and peatland. The Outer Hebrides supports a population of around 100 breeding pairs with strongholds on the extensive North Uist and North Lewis peatlands. Here they nest on the ground among the heather and the absence of foxes means they have few threats from ground predators. The abundance of pipits, skylarks and other small passerines and waders provides a plentiful food supply.

Females are significantly larger than males and this size difference brings an advantage in that a breeding pair can prey on a broader range of species than if both male and females were the same size. With their smaller size and greater manoeuvrability males are better equipped to take small birds such as meadow pipits whilst female can tackle larger prey items such as small waders.

Due to their small size, Merlins are susceptible to predation from other birds of prey and corvids and as a result are often seen dive bombing larger birds in an attempt to drive them away from their nesting areas.

Their size and tendency to fly low over the ground can also make them elusive. They are most often seen during hunting when they can engage in long pursuits of pipits or other small birds chasing them high into the sky in an attempt to drive them away from cover on the ground.

DIET

Their staple diet comprises of moorland birds such as meadow pipits and skylarks but they will also feed on large insects such as moths and beetles. Finding moth wings scattered around mossy hummocks or boulders is a good sign that merlins have been using the area.

WHERE TO LOOK

Areas of peatland and heather moorland are their favoured breeding habitat. The best trail locations are the Committee Road, Langais, Reuval and Loch Druidibeag on the Uists. The track up to the North Harris Eagle Observatory on Harris and Craigston on Barra are also good locations. In Winter coastal areas such are Loch Stiapabhat are often visited.

WHEN TO LOOK

In the autumn our breeding merlins move south and to the coastal area but as our breeding population departs, they are replaced by migrants from Iceland.

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Bird of Prey Trail - Loch Stiapabhat

Address

Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XB

Ness, Isle of Lewis

Located at the North of the Archipelago, this rich Machair loch and surrounding wetland is an important migration stopover for wildfowl and waders attracting regular visits from hunting bird of prey, especially during the spring and autumn migration.

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Bird of Prey Trail - Bogha Glas

Address

Bogha Glas, Isle Of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3AD

Isle Of Harris

A path leads you into the North Harris hills; one of the largest areas of un-roaded land is Scotland. One of the most reliable places for locating both golden and white-tailed eagles and where the two eagle species are often seen together.

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Bird of Prey Trail - Committee Road

Address

Isle Of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5DS

Isle Of North Uist

Surrounded by rolling moorland and young plantations this is a hotspot for hen harriers and short-eared owls. The roadside car park is an excellent vantage point from which to watch.

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Bird of Prey Trail - Aline Community Woodland

Address

Aline, Isle Of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9LE

Isle Of Lewis

A path takes you to the shore of Loch Seaforth, a long fjord-like loch and a stronghold for the white-tailed eagles and otters.

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Bird of Prey Trail - Loch Sgioport

Address

Loch Sgioport, Isle Of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5SN

Isle Of South Uist

Located in the northern end of South Uist, Loch Sgioport is a great placee to spot white-tailed eagles.

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Bird of Prey Trail - Rueval

Address

Isle Of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, HS7 5LY

Isle Of Benbecula

A path runs across Benbecula, through an area of low lying moorland and lochs. This is an excellent area for hen harrier, short-eared owl and merlin during the breeding season.

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Bird of Prey Trail - Loch Druidibeg

Address

Stilligarry, Isle Of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5RS

Isle Of South Uist

This location is on the shore of a large fresh water loch surrounded by moorland with views south over Beinn Mhor, the highest peak in the Uists. Both species of eagle, hen harrier, merlin and short-eared owl are regularly seen here.

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Bird of Prey Trail - North Harris Eagle Observatory

Address

Meavaig, Isle Of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3AW

Isle Of Harris

The observatory is a purpose built hide perched in the interior of the rugged North Harris hills commanding spectacular views over the territory of a pair of golden eagles.

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Bird of Prey Trail - Langais

Address

Isle Of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5HA

Isle Of North Uist

Beinn Langais is a prominent hill surrounded by vast areas of peatland, freshwater and sea lochs. A short path runs up to an archaeological site with excellent views over the area.

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