Tweetsters,

Yesterday I reported being fairly confident that I saw a falcon, large enough
to be a Gyrfalcon, at the West Seattle Freeway bridge.

This morning I went back and at 8:30 AM, a falcon flew into the same eastern
power tower next to the bridge. We (Roger Orness and I) had a good look at
this bird, perched.

This was a Peregrine. Sub-adult, molting from immature to adult, with most
adult feathers on the breast (some immature plumage on the flanks) and upper
back. Greenish cere and slightly more yellow on the eye-rings. Yellow legs and
feet and no bands on either leg.
Nicely "stacked" spots on the breast, with small spots going up in the
well-delineated auricular patches. Fairly broad malar stripes. Slightly
lighter on the forehead.

It made one hunting foray after a pigeon passing underneath its perch and the
wing beat was what I normally would expect of a Peregrine.

As you can see, I am keeping the option open that I did indeed see a different
bird yesterday. It would certainly not be the first time more than one falcon
frequented this location in a 24-hour period. On the other hand, I can't help
but feel a bit silly, calling yesterday's bird a Gyr, based on such a fleeting
observation. I hope nobody went out hoping to see a Gyr, finding a Peregrine
(can you believe it, I'm suggesting someone be disappointed with a new
Peregrine in the city...?). If anyone did experience disappointment because of
my posting, I sincerely apologize.

On the up-side, Roger and I did spot the Osprey nest a bit farther south along
the Duwamish. Pier 105 to be precise. Easily observed from West Marginal Way
SW. Highly recommended viewing. It looks like incubation still underway. One
adult on the nest, the second flying over our heads towards Elliott Bay,
returning 30 minutes later with a fish it ate on a lamppost near the one with
the nest. A sub-adult Bald Eagle did perched on a piling in the Duwamish did
not make an attempt to steal the Osprey's catch. Perhaps it had already had
breakfast.

Just in case, I'll be checking West Seattle Freeway frequently.

Happy birding,
Martin Muller, Seattle
martinmuller at msn.com