Merlin and skylark (1 Viewer)

[Dawsy]

I need to share my experience from yesterday with anyone who will listen. I was out on my bike (Scottish central lowlands) when I saw two birds flying wildly in the distance. As I got closer I realised it was a merlin chasing a skylark. The merlin kept diving at the skylark which flew out of the way then the merlin would flap like crazy to get above it again to have another go, and another and another... Three times the skylark tried to get back down to the ground but the merlin dived beneath it; presumably to keep it in the air. This kept going for several minutes (I was exhausted just watching) before the skylark finally got to the ground and the merlin shot off at high speed like it had just seen something much more interesting. The most amazing thing was that the skylark kept singing the whole time. Such a badass, dismissive move and such a cool thing to watch.
Michael

 

[davercox]

Skylarks do sometimes keep singing when threatened by the likes of Merlin - I believe the theory is that they are saying "look at how fit and strong I am: you've no hope of catching me".

 

[Dawsy]

Skylarks do sometimes keep singing when threatened by the likes of Merlin - I believe the theory is that they are saying "look at how fit and strong I am: you've no hope of catching me".

Interesting to hear it's a documented phenomenon, thanks. The impression worked on me (I thought the merlin had no chance) but didn't make the merlin give up quickly.

 

[Patudo]

It's awesome to see something like that. I saw something similar in the Covid year in Hyde Park, an adult male hobby chasing a house martin for (timed) three minutes. The speed and dexterity from both birds was just unbelievable.

That sort of chase requires the predator to burn a lot of energy; I'm surprised the merlin didn't give up earlier. Flying skylarks with merlins used to be (in fact still is) a specialist sub-branch of falconry, and opinions seem to be that after October the larks become too strong on the wing. Wild merlins would be better flyers than trained birds, but being more experienced, would also be more inclined to abandon the hunt if their quarry was alerted - I've seen on many occasions peregrines fly off after the initial attack missed, sensing in some way that to continue chasing was not worth the effort.

 

[Andy Lakin]

I once saw a Peregrine having a long chase of a Lapwing. They both ended up knackered and ended up on the deck a few yards apart. It looked like they called it a draw and both flew off in different directions after a few minutes great to watch.