Those are great pictures, Bob.

Was there any interaction between the hawk species?

John Hansen majorhart at sbcglobal.net Saint Joseph MO
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Kothenbeutel
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Sunday, December 27, 2009 6:46 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] 4 falcon day at the Samish flats


Yesterday (12/26/09) I spent most of the day on the Samish flats in search of raptors to photograph. While there I saw 2 kestrels, 3 merlins, 2 peregrines and 1 prairie falcon. The peregrines put on quite a show as they hunted together as a team. They stooped on a large flock of dunlins that were resting on an ice covered field next to the road. The smaller falcon (male I assume) was successful and was "chased" by the larger one (female). As I watched through my camera he dropped the dunlin which was captured by the female who flew off to a telephone pole to eat it. This happened within 10 minutes of my arrival.

Just when I thought my day was a success I spotted a prairie falcon on a tall snag. It allowed me to take several photos before it flew to the same location where the peregrines had been hunting and allowed me several more photos. What a gorgeous bird it was.

The merlin was present in Edison but too high in the trees for decent photos. Two additional merlins were located near the foot of the hill leading up to Samish Island. A Cooper's hawk was also in the same area. The telephone wires produced two kestrels. Several harriers, red-tailed and rough-legged hawks were also out and about as well as a few bald eagles.

It was a great day!

You can find pictures in the last uploads album of my website.



www.photos.rlkimages.com



Bob Kothenbeutel

Woodinville



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