Yesterday was a pretty good day of birding in Snohomish & Skagit Counties.


At 6AM and also in the afternoon, the continuing STILT SANDPIPER was still at Eide Road, near Stanwood.
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987287
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987290


At Channel Drive, off Downy Road, south of the Farmhouse Restaurant on Hwy 20 east of Anacortes there were 2 peeps: a juv LEAST SANDPIPER and a juv SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987293
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987292


Driving east on Downy Road, a PEREGRINE FALCON zoomed by in front of me.
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987295


The falcon then began to gain altitude.
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987297


I watched as it got higher and higher.
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987298


A NORTHERN HARRIER seemingly came out of nowhere & began to harass the falcon.
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987300
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987301
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987302
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987303
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987306
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987308


At one point, extending its talons toward the falcon.
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987311


Then they separated, the harrier turning toward the falcon, to make sure it left the area.
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987318
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987322
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987325
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/160987330


There was a second peregrine on the scene, but it managed to escape my photos. I have witnessed harriers harassing peregrines in the past. I have seen harriers bother Prairie Falcons as well. Harriers are not wimps. And they do fly high and they do perch in trees, too!






Marv Breece
Tukwila, WA
marvbreece at q.com

PARKS ARE FOR EVERYONE