Subject: Gyrfalcon!
Date: Dec 10 16:31:32 2000
From: Ruth Taylor - rutht at seanet.com


Hi All:

Today I had the privilege of seeing a brown gyrfalcon near the SE corner of Harbor Island, between about 1145 and 1215.
I was at the sound end of Harbor Island, watching D1, a double-banded adult peregrine, perched on top of one of the West Seattle freeway power towers, when she leapt into the air and rocketed to the east. She began diving on something that was largely blocked from view by cranes, scraggly trees, and a low building. She returned to the power tower for about 5 seconds and repeated the performance. This time, I caught a glimpse of what I first thought was a rather light immature red-tail, low over a building, *except* something about the wings didn't look right. The third time the peregrine went after the bird, I got a better look. Part of me was questioning why a red-tail looked that much like a falcon - a *huge* falcon with broad wings, somewhat rounded wing-tips, and very stiff wingbeats. Huh? As they went in and out of view, I saw both birds in the air together in silhouette - great comparison of shape, size! and wingbeat - and then was able to see the gyr against a nice, black cloud - I had a better look at the color and at the somewhat two-toned appearance of the underwing. By now, reality had overcome disbelief, and I knew what I was looking at.
The gyr then landed on a crane on Matson Containers property, across the waterway, with another nice, dark cloud behind it. I scoped it and could make out the facial pattern and see the wingtips to tail tip proportion (this bird is pretty long-winged). I then drove around to East Marginal Way, just north of Spokane St. and across the street from Matson Containers, where I was closer to the bird. It was on crane 32, facing the direction of the freeway bridge. It muted before taking off; I had it in the scope and could not see jesses, anklets, or bands on its legs, so I assume it's a wild bird. It headed in the direction of the West Seattle freeway and dropped out of view. I drove back onto Harbor Island, but couldn't locate anything but the peregrine, perched on top of the tall east power tower.
I waited around for about 15 - 20 minutes, but didn't see it again.
I dutifully recorded times and observations, but inside I felt like a kid jumping up & down and then turning cartwheels. :-)

Ruth Taylor
Seattle/Ballard
rutht at seanet.com