I've told some of these stories on OBOL, but I don't think on
Tweeters. Forgive if you've heard some before.

A few years ago I was birding the Nehalem Sewage Ponds when
a Peregrine flew over at about 200'. It was interesting (&
amusing) to see a Caspian Tern rise to the occasion and,
screaming, chase it right out of the area. As I was driving back
to the coast highway I sensed something off to my left. It was a
pair of birds closing fast. The same (I guess) peregrine was
taking out its frustrations on a Rock Dove. I realized that my
car and the two birds were on a collision course and started to
break. The two birds were coming in at a right angle to the car,
and about 50-100' out the Peregrine turned over on its back and
sailed, upside down, underneath the pigeon, apparently intending
to pluck it out of the air from below. The birds were slightly
above windshield height and my car was coming to an abrupt stop.
About 10-20' out the Peregrine realized what was happening,
flared, and disappeared. Meanwhile the dove continued straight
ahead, passing right in front of my windshield and flew full
speed ahead, probably 60mph, into the roadside blackberry hedge.
Since I was now stopped, I got out of the car and walked over to
survey the brambles. The dove was sitting in there, minus a few
feathers, but apparently none the worse for the experience--
except it wasn't coming out for anything.

Now you've got me going. Another time, as my family and I were
exiting the front door of a rental house in Ilwaco, we surprised
a Merlin passing directly in front of the uncovered porch. The
Merlin flared, depositing a Starling directly at our feet. The
Starling was DOA, and the Merlin continued on its way apparently
content to look for another one.

Peregrines and distraction were mentioned regarding a Cliff
Swallow. I've seen the same thing. I was on the rocks at
LaJolla last year, where numerous shorebirds and gulls are quite
habituated to people. A Peregrine had a stakeout about 1/2 a
mile away on the corner of a 10 story building. As I walked
among the birds, they went about their business, probably keeping
one eye on me. Twice, the Peregrine came in directly behind me,
and took one of the shorebirds so fast that I barely knew what
had happened. Most of the birds didn't even flush, just crouched
with a wild-eyed expression which I photographed before realizing
myself what was going on. I was convinced at the time that this
falcon was exploiting the distraction caused to its prey by the
frequent appearance of people in their midst. The hawk passed
within about 10' of me both times, from behind, but I barely
glimpsed it, because it disappeared as fast as it had appeared.

Shorebird chases by falcons were mentioned a few months ago.
I've seen similar events, but became convinced that the falcon
was really just having the enjoyment (?) of pursuit. I've seen
Merlins pursue flocks of shorebirds around the edges of Tillamook
Bay, but the successful shorebird hunts I've seen (by Merlins at
least) were carried out by the Merlin flying for perhaps 1/4
mile, 12-18" above the mudflats directly into a flock of Dunlin.
The flock "explodes" when the Merlin is sensed in its midst, but
by then it's too late and the Merlin simply plucks out a
shorebird and continues on its way. No real pursuit is involved.

One more and I'll stop. On Sauvies Island about 20 years
ago, there was a flock of Bushtits scattered throughout a large,
leafless, Oregon Oak. A Merlin cruised casually into the oak,
plucking a Bushtit exactly like one would pluck a cherry, and
landed to consume its hors d'oeuvres.

Bob O'Brien Portland