Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Rest in Peace, Merlyn Felton


I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of my old friend, Merlyn Felton, who passed away on November 11, 2016. (Most of his friends, including me, first heard about his death this week.) Merlyn and I worked together in the late 1970s at the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group, where we cared for the Peregrine Falcons in the captive-breeding project and did field work. But Merlyn did much more than that. At a time when the Peregrine Falcons at Morro Bay were one of the last known breeding pairs of the species in California, Merlyn spent countless hours, night and day, for months each spring camping at Morro Rock, guarding the nestlings from anyone who might harm, harrass, or take them. In the years he did this, the birds always fledged successfully, adding to the peregrine population at a time when the species was critically endangered. Now there are many nesting peregrines in California, and Merlyn played a vital role in bringing them back.

 Merlyn wrote an interesting 1994 memoir about his experiences on Morro Rock, titled Falcons of the Rock, writing under the pseudonym, Donovan Lavender. If you can find a copy at a used book dealer, I highly recommend it. 

     Merlyn Felton, Tim Gallagher, Danny Verrier, and Bill Murphy in the 1970s. Photo by Brian Walton

Merlyn was an avid falconer, and we had some great times flying our peregrines in the Salinas Valley and other places in Central California. He was one of the most dedicated people I've ever met. He will be greatly missed. 

Merlyn Felton and his Peregrine, 1978.   Photo by Tim Gallagher
Merlyn Felton and John Schmitt on Morro Rock in the 1970s.   Photo by Glenn Stewart
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 12, 2017 at 8:28 PM

    If anyone who knew Merlyn would please contact me, I would be very grateful.
    Carollyne (Carol Fisher) cleighland@dccnet.com 604-886-2010 in British Columbia, CANADA.

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  2. jnbszaboFebruary 4, 2018 at 4:45 PM

    A year belated thank you Tim.

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  3. AnonymousApril 29, 2018 at 6:58 PM

    I am deeply saddened to read this today. Many times over the years I have searched the Internet with hopes of finding out what my old friend was up to. Especially on our birthdays, which we shared. Not surprisingly, he remained elusive. I will always treasure the 5 1/2 years we spent together so long ago. Memories of Peregrines, the Big Sur coast, discovery, and adventure. Rest in peace dear Merlyn.

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  4. Lisa MFebruary 9, 2019 at 4:31 PM

    I was a friend of Merlyns. I met him in 1976 when I dated his goodfriend Johnny Glassburn, who passed in 1977. The last time I saw Merlyn, I traveled with him to Washington, to return Peregine Falcon chicks to their nest...amazing experience. I regrettably lost contact with Merlyn. I adored him and he I. I will forever treasure our friendship and memories.

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    Replies
    1. Tim GallagherFebruary 9, 2019 at 5:21 PM

      Yes, Merlyn was a great guy and so was John Glassburn. It was such a tragedy when John died so young.

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  5. jnbszaboSeptember 6, 2019 at 1:01 PM

    I'd only met Merlyn a few times, Mike Arnold told me about him, they lived near each other, yet I feel like I've known him all my life. He had a personality that gave him the ability to be completely open and attentive to you. This is only possible if you have true empathy and concern for those around you. Merlyn possessed those traits.
    Vaya con Dios Amigo...

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  6. jnbszaboApril 18, 2022 at 4:13 PM

    I just got Merlyn's "Falcons of the Rock." What a warm, engaging, self effacing book! Merlyn comes across in his writing exactly the way he did person to person. Thank you for the tip about this rare, precious book!

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  7. AnonymousApril 2, 2024 at 9:42 PM

    I just learned about Merlyn’s passing after so many years of wondering where he was and what happened to him. I met him in Vancouver in 1974 and my husband and I got real close to him. Carol Fisher introduced us. I wish I would’ve stayed in touch, but we left Canada in1984 and lost touch w/ a lot of people, even Carol, who helped us w/so much when we were there.
    I remember Merlyn as a very special and unique man. Wise beyond his years and so humble. Will always keep his memory in my heart as a truly gifted and compassionate soul.❤️RIP MERLYN

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  8. AnonymousJune 23, 2026 at 10:55 AM

    Greetings to all, Merlyn was a great raptor man. I had the honor of working with him and Brian Walton in the late 70’s & early 80’s at UC Santa Cruz on the Peregrine Reintroduction Program, as a Hack Site Attendant. I learned so much from both of them, but what stood out most was Merlyn’s love for the Peregrines. I know this is such a late post, as I just learned of Merlyn’s passing. May you fly high my friend over Morro Rock.

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  9. The Archives of FalconryJune 30, 2026 at 12:19 PM

    Merlyn Felton has been added to the list of 2027 Inductees to The Archives of Falconry's Wall of Remembrance. Anyone wishing to donate to Merlyn's induction fund may do so by visiting this link: https://falconry.org/donate_support/remembrance/

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