A few nights ago I watched in amazement as 75-100 Chimney Swifts disappeared into a small chimney in the middle of the Middlebury campus. Tonight I noticed a small, noisy group of ~25 circling the same area at about 8:30. They made a nice image against the darkening sky and crescent moon. Tonight they seemed a little more timid than the other night, and sure enough, after the first few dropped into the chimney, a Merlin appeared out of nowhere. It passed through without contact and was promptly chased off by the entire flock! The swifts continued to circle for a few more minutes than disappeared into the night.

Quite a sight!
Spencer Hardy
Middlebury/Norwich, VT