I've been seeing a lot of merlins in our area (Shelton) and wondered if anyone else in CT has had any experience with them. They look like small hawks but are falcons that manuever like air force fighter planes. Last fall one swooped in, came to within three feet (just above our favorite chicken), then saw us sitting in the yard ten feet away and pulled off. Its talons were fully stretched out as if it was about to attack. I've searched on BYC and people seem to vary in their opinions. Some say merlins are too small to take a standard chicken (which is what I have) while others say they are dangerous. Since Monday I have been hearing their calls periodically during the day and when the chickens are supervised in the yard, they get very nervous when they hear the cry. Twice this week a merlin has come and sat in a tree overlooking our yard and I can't believe they are just appreciating my chickens' good health and happy dispositions.
If you've had any experiences with merlins, I'd love to hear about it.