Friends,
I met Clifton Avery on Friday morning at the I-40 pull off in Pigeon River
Gorge near the NC/TN line to monitor falcon behavior. From the viewing
location by the river the cliff face was approximately 500-1000 feet away
making close photos impossible even with a 600mm lens. Nonetheless I was able
to document some interesting paired male and female activity including: female
entering eyrie 3 or 4 times, soaring near cliff and aerial display, perching
in tree, perching on rock ledge feeding, hunting (possibly cooperatively),
territory defense by rising toward and chasing intruder (Red-tailed Hawk),
probable aerial prey exchange. Other birds observed flying above the cliff
during the visit included Canada Goose(2), Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk,
Raven(3-4), and Turkey Vulture. As far as the probable stage of the nesting
cycle it was thought by Clifton and Chris (after consulting by phone) that we
were witnessing the egg laying stage. A few photos are attached of some of the
observations with comments below.
#1 Location of eyrie, behind myrtle ground cover#2 Peregrine Falcon flying
above cliff#3 Male and Female comparison, male above and female below. Female
approx 1/3 larger. When enlarged on computer it appears male is holding prey
in its right talon. Possible prey exchange was in progress.#4 Falcon Perched
in snag near eyrie#5 Red-tailed Hawk flying over cliff near eyrie#6 Falcon
after taking issue with Red-tailed Hawk#7 Falcon flying by cliff face holding
prey in lower talon, sorry lighting was not better.
Thanks to Clifton for the interesting morning.
Alan LenkAsheville
Attachment:
EyrieLocation,Buzzard'sRoost.jpg
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Attachment:
PeFaBuzzard'sRoost.jpg
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Attachment:
PeFaMaleFemailComparisonBuzRoost.jpg
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Attachment:
PeFaPerchedAtBuzzard'sRoost.jpg
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Attachment:
RTHawkOverBuzzardsRoost.jpg
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Attachment:
PeFaChasesRTHawkBuzzard'sRoost.jpg
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Attachment:
PeFaWithPreyBuzzard'sRoost.jpg
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