While doing some water measurements this afternoon in Marsh Unit 2 of
Columbia NWR I spooked a gyrfalcon that was holding a mallard to the
ground. The gyr escaped and so did the mallard. It was last seen near the
parking lot (along Morgan Lake Road) for the Frog Lake Trail (this is the
only trail open during our seasonal closure), and heading south. It was a
long-tailed bird without distinct markings, probably a female, and more
brown than gray.

Randy Hill
Othello