Tweets,
I observed a Peregrine consuming a Pintail on a guard rail post next to the
highway just below Priest Rapids Dam, well away from the Columbia River. My
approach in the car (around a blind corner as I recall) spooked the bird so
it took off with prey in talons -- right toward me! since (I'm guessing)
this was the direction it was facing -- rising with a fair degree of
difficulty a short distance to a bluff immediately/barely above the highway.
As to whether it had carried the prey to this spot after first consuming
part of it near the site of the kill, or as to the weight/health of the
duck, I cannot say. My speculation is that, because the mate was nearby,
perhaps it was eating to reduce the weight in order to carry the victim to
yet higher ground where assumedly the nest and young were located. Good
birding!
-- Paul Hicks, Tenino / phicks AT accessgrace DOT org