I'm forwarding this Peregrine Falcon sighting in Winlock, WA to Tweeters.
It was originally sent to my website, "Peepers: South Puget Sound Bird
Sightings." Does anyone know about Peregrine distribution in the Thurston,
Lewis counties?
How many known pairs are in the area?

Thanks,
Tammy (Peepers webmistress)
Peepers address:
http://www.halcyon.com/greg/peep.htm


-----Original Message-----
From: Baker Family [mailto:dbakers at myhome.net]
Sent: Friday, August 07, 1998 8:37 AM
To: greg at halcyon.com
Subject: bird sighting


I'm not sure if this is a "rare" sighting or not, but I am excited about
it. I live in Winlock, WA, which is about 45 miles south of downtown
OLY, just west of I-5. About a mile from my house, crossing above the
road, I saw what I am convinced was peregrine falcon. If so, it is the
first I have seen here in 8 years. It looked like the dark Peale's
variety. There is NO WAY is was a pigeon hawk (it was way too big), and
it was too dark to be a prairie hawk. The facial markings were very
distinct, as the bird was only about 40 or 50 feet from me, and the
lighting was ideal (late afternoon, striking on the bird directly, and
coming from behind me). The bird cooperated beautifully, changing
directions and angles so I was able to see all sides clearly, even
without binoculars. I have been birding for 26 years, albeit not
intensely, and this is a life bird for me. Please let me know if this is
fairly common sighting, or if it truly merits the excitement I feel! It
was beautiful, regardless.
Thank you!
-S. Baker