Hi -
It is my understanding (mainly from past reports to OBOL) that most if not all
the Prairie Falcons that winter in the Willamette Valley are females, so it is
unlikely that you have a pair. Apparently male and female Prairie Falcons have
very different migration behavior, with most males leaving Oregon.
Wayne
From: "Carol" <imcaroling@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "obol" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Midvalley Midvalley Birding" <birding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 4:27:55 PM
Subject: [obol] Prairies and Rough Legs
Birding buddy Jamie Boulton and I drove around the grass fields east of Albany
this afternoon. Aside from the usual Harriers, Red Tails and Kestrels, we found
a Prairie Falcon just north of the intersection where Brownsville Road turns
into Sand Ridge Road. There was a Rough Legged Hawk in the same area. Driving
on, we encountered two more Rough Legged Hawks and then a second Prairie Falcon
in a tree at 1260 Parker Road around 3:45. The first falcon had a very white
breast and smooth feathers, whereas the second one was a bit disheveled looking
with a darker breast, so we are positive it was not the same bird, although
they were found about 1/2 mile apart from each other. A possible pair? Awesome
day.
Carol Hiler
N. Albany
