I wouldn't be surprised, Wayne. According to Keith and Fox ( The Birds of New Hampshire), the average arrival date in spring for Merlins is April 11 with peak migration the last three weeks in April, but a Merlin was recorded by Iain MacLeod in Grafton County (Ashland) in early February in 2014. There is a record in Keith and Fox for January in Lebanon. I had a Merlin last year at the golf course in late March, but it was likely back prior to that. Merlins have been recorded already this year in southern NH. It would be an early record, but I don't think it is unlikely. This mild winter has also accounted for some weird bird records.

On Wednesday, February 17, 2016, wayne bird <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

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