On Feb. 1, as the ferry to Swartz Bay was exiting the W. end of
Active Pass against a very strong tide, we must have churned up a school
of small fish. Suddenly there was a frenzy of bald eagle activity behind
the boat, swooping down to get fish or fighting each other for them. I
counted 22, 18 of which were adults. In many years on this ferry, I have
never seen more than 5-6 at one time in this pass.

Last week in Orange County, CA, at the Newport Bay, I watched two
peregrines drive a harrier out of the sky by making 200-300 foot vertical
dives at it. With each of about 10 dives by each bird, the harrier would
flip on its back to ward them off, but lose altitude. Finally it just
dropped into a thick tree to wait them out. I've never seen such a
spectacular display of aggression by peregrines before.

************************
Robert Cleland

Professor, Botany Dept. Box 355325
Director, Biology Program, Box 355320
Univ. of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-5325
Phone (206) 543-6105; FAX (206) 685-1728