[bcbirdclub] Peregrines and Bald Eagle in Breaks Park
- From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "BCBC Listserve" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 00:53:59 -0400
Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend some time watching for the resident
pair of Pergrine Falcons in the Breaks Park.
I arrived at the State Line Overlook at 11:40. From then until 11:55 I saw only
a Black Vulture and and couple of Turkey Vultures. At 11:55 I noticed two
birds not far above the river flying downriver against the opposite mountain.
When I got them in the binoculars I recognized that they were two adult
Peregrines. I watched them for several minutes as they played on the wind.
There was a nice cool breeze blowing with low humidity, almost like a fall day.
The two Peregrines chased each other, then circled above a Turkey Vulture. One
of the adults stooped on the Turkey Vulture at a high rate of speed. It sped by
the surprised vulture like a bullet. If the Peregrine had intended to kill the
vulture, it could have done so easily. After the Peregrine came out of the
stoop it gave chase to the vulture. The vulture kept changing direction to
throw off the Peregrine, but of course there was no contest. The Peregrine
stayed right on its tail. This went on for about12 to 15 seconds. A few minutes
later another chase was on with a Peregrine chasing the Black Vulture.
The two Peregrines then began to circle and gain altitude until they were
against the sky over the ridge on the KY side of the river. After circling for
a minute or so one of them suddenly folded its wings and dropped at a slight
angle toward the river at blinding speed. It was moving not only downward but
also slightly upriver. It was moving so fast I had trouble keeping it in the
field of view of my binoculars. As it neared the river it suddenly swooped
upward and began once again to climb to join the other Peregrine. The climbing
bird was soon at the same level as the other,and the two came close together in
the air. Just as they neared each other a third bird came into view, coming
toward them. When it turned I could see that it was much darker on the
underside than the other two birds. This was a juvenile bird. When it came
close to its parents, it and one of the adults joined talons and began to
cartwheel downward the way raptors sometimes do during courtship. These two
birds dropped about 25-30 feet before separating and flying off to each side. I
could hear the Peregrines calling to each other after this. The three birds
continued to enjoy the wind, but I could see that the juvenile did not have the
flying skills of the adults.
During the above action I had not tried to take photos. The birds were so far
away, and I was glued to my binoculars to watch what was happening. I then lost
the birds against the mountain side.
At 12:43 I glanced out over the gorge to see an adult Bald Eagle out over the
river passing by the overlook going westward or downriver. It was being pursued
by the two adult Peregrines.
Here is one of the Peregrines in pursuit. This is as close as the Peregrines
had been to me during the morning. He or she is so streamlined it looks like a
stealth fighter.
The Peregrines continued to chase the eagle but stayed slightly above and
behind it. Then one of them dived at the eagle. I missed the shot of the
Peregrine passing the eagle, but in this photo you can see that the eagle has
turned upon its side in an effort to avoid the Peregrine. By the way, this is
the first time I have ever seen an eagle in the park, and I sure didn't expect
to see my first one being chased by Peregrines. That made the first sighting
there all the sweeter.
The birds chased the eagle for a quarter mile or so down the river before
returning. Here is a shot of one of them coming back upriver.
I stayed around awhile longer but there was no further action so I left. Later
I got up with David Raines and he and I returned to the overlook at about 3:30.
At 3:43 we saw an immature Red-tailed Hawk fly low across the river below us,
traveling away from us toward the KY side. The hawk disappeared into the trees,
and seconds later this Peregrine flew in the same general direction and flew up
into some trees also on the KY side, but not near where the hawk had landed. We
didn't see the Peregrine after that.
Well, that ends the story of the exciting day of birding. I just happened to be
there at the right time to see all of the action.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
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