FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] GSMNP Peregrine (NC side)

[Owlsncows@xxxxxxx]

While hiking on the AT north of Charlies Bunion this weekend Spears 
McAllister and I observed what I would ID as a Peregrine Falcon gliding in 
front of and below us and landing on cliffs on the NC side just south of 
Laurel Top (35 39' 38"N, 83 20' 14"W).  The bird was below me and a good 
distance away.  My view was entirely from above.  General impressions were of 
a large pale bird, strongly falcon shaped (not just a raptor with wings bent 
back in a glide).  I could not find the bird through binoculars on the snow 
covered rock face after it landed, but did listen to repeated vocalizations.  
What I heard were not the wimpy kec kec kec type calls that so many raptors 
give, but very impressive made for TV type upslurred shrieks.  The trouble 
is, I can't find these calls on my tapes.  Any thoughts on the ID?  Have 
Peregrines been reported in this area (probably one-tenth of a mile into NC)? 
 The Atlas discusses possible Feb. egglaying, but if a Peregrine, what in the 
world does a bird this size eat at 1600 meters this time of year?

Hayden Wilson
Sequatchie County
Dunlap, TN


=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with
first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation.
-----------------------------------------------------
To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
----------------------------------------------------- 
To unsubscribe, send email to:
tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
          web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
        jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx      (423) 764-3958
=========================================================