On Friday I was at the mouth of Alsea Bay in Waldport. The NW wind was blowing
pretty good and the fog hanging just off the outer beach. A hatching-year
peregrine falcon that left the nest about 5 weeks earlier was present and
appeared to be enjoying chasing birds on the lower bay and over the beach. I
observed it pursuing western, glaucous-winged and California gulls, turkey
vultures and an osprey. This young falcon put on a great aerial show and I
believe it was mostly practicing its pursuit skills rather than hunting for
food. It appeared that it could have taken a gull if it really wanted to.
Always fun to watch falcons.
Photos of some of the pursuits can be seen here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24707703@N06/albums/72157668846410523 ;
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24707703@N06/albums/72157668846410523>
Roy
