At about 11.30 this morning I heard a Killdeer calling and stepped out to see
what was going on. I was amazed to see this bird being pursued by a Peregrine-
I thought it would escape into the close by trees but it didn't. It seemed
reluctant to dive lower and being a bird of the open didn't seem to consider
this option. The Peregrine gained some height on it and in one final swoop
caught the Killdeer and carried it off. I was disappointed that it was caught
as we don't see that many Killdeer any more although they do frequent the
farmer's field next door.
Shortly after this happened a Coopers Hawk, a Red-tail and then a Bald Eagle
appeared all heading in the general direction of the Peregrine, which had
disappeared over the trees, as if to check out the result of this raptor
attack! This all happened at Cowichan Station, Vancouver Island, B.C.
Also I have had Saw Whet Owls and Screech Owls calling recently, which are
great to hear. The Saw Whet Owl inhabits the swamp below where the Peregrine
strike happened.
Richard Mortimer