July 21 '08

I was just browsing the latest (vol 10) WOS "WASHINGTON BIRDS", and read thru the article on the Tundra Peregrine Falcon. I didn't realize that subspecies was so rare or uncommon in western Washington. I don't have much experience with Peregrines, but I just want to mention my possible sighting of that subspecies in December 9, 1988. According to the article, they aren't supposed to be here in the dead of winter.

My cooperative specimen at first was perched on a dilapidated wooden tidal fence parallel to the dike I was walking on (near the Lummi golf course). It was white on the face annd breast (no tawny wash); the breast being unmarked. The black moustache was narrower than is supposed to be typical for the expected "anatum" subspecies. When it flew away, to harrass a zillion Dunlin nearby on Lummi Bay, it showed very long wings and a steelly blue-gray upperparts. I jotted those features down, but did not jot down whether its forehead was solid black or whitish. But I vaguely recall that it irritated me that it wasn't solid black all the way to the bill (as I thought it was supposed to be). I think it was a male (smallish) "tundrius", but for my listing purposes, the subspecies was not important.

This is not an official report; just thought I'd mention it.

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham, WA