Subject: West 90 Peregrine Drama
Date: Jan 3 21:36:41 2003
From: Janeanne Houston - janeannesoprano at attbi.com


My husband Mark and I spent a few hours at the Samish Flats today. Nice
weather, but fairly quiet until our second stop at the West 90 netted a
Peregrine drama. I spotted what looked like a falcon being harassed by a
Harrier. As they passed over a grassy area, two Herons leapt out of the
grass and squawked loudly. By the time we got the scope situated, the
Peregrine was eating in the muddy west field near a large flock of Dunlin
and B.B. Plovers. While the bird ate, it experienced two "fly bys" from a
seemingly clueless Dunlin. The Peregrine looked at the bird as if to say
"you MUST be joking!" dropped its food and took off after the Dunlin. A
dramatic aerial chase with several near misses lasted for a minute or so
until another raptor joined in. The lucky Dunlin seemed to disappear over
the dike. A lot of entertainment for two lone birders at the West 90.


Janeanne Houston
www.northwestartists.org
houstojc at plu.edu
janeannesoprano at attbi.com