Field Notes Dory Bell July 19, 1989 Out at the fields next to the Beach & Nature Trail, collecting gulls at UBC Research Farm, near mouth of the Oyster River, Vancouver Island, B.C. Weather clear, sunny, & still. Few gulls flying by. From 11:00 - 13:00 only a handful, and every time we were in range people were nearby on the trail. I'd tell people that I was collecting gulls for topic studies, and that pleased everyone. "Goat Hunting" came the reply. Wounded one gull, but it flew on to land near at the mouth of Oyster River. I chased it back & forth across the river, but could never get closer than 6' before it would flap away. Gave up. While waiting for more gulls an ad. Sharp- shinned Hawk cruised at tree-top level past me, with about 5 protesting Barn Swallows in tow. At 12:30 I saw a flash come streaking in from the north, then turn in a wide arc at head- level around behind me to rocket into some shrubs on the beach - it was a Black Merlin. Very clear - very dark bird, darker than an imm. perchire on the back. It either scared up some starlings or it was chasing a handful of them. I couldn't tell, it happened so fast. Three starlings flew out of the row of bushes, but I never # saw the merlin again. Spotted Sandpipers on the beach at low tide. Calif. gulls also moving about. Collected 5 gulls on 7 shots (DAB 573-577). 5/7