Silhouetted against the afterglow, these fiercest of hawks formed an impressive picture. It is not uncommon for merlins to become involved in encounters with other predators over prey. One evening, just as a superb, palest grey cock hen-harrier drifted into view above the reeds, two merlins took wing. The harrier was then subjected to high-speed aerial attacks for minutes on end. Both merlins repeatedly hurtled past with rapid wingbeats.
Merlins are usually solitary hunters, but two have been observed hunting together.
Repeated stoops were made, each diving alternately above a meadow pipit so that the quarry was under continuous attack. Elsewhere in Norfolk, a group of up to four merlins regularly roosts each winter on a large, heathery common-in association with hen harriers. The Ouse Washes, too, have attracted a similar size roost. Here these fearless falcons have occupied dense willows. Some merlin communal roosts are traditional.