In addition to the peregrines at the American Legion bridge, there's a new bird in the area. It's a Prairie Falcon  (Falco mexicanus) hanging out at an abandoned power plant along the Potomac a few miles south of my house.

These birds are normally found several thousand miles in to the west. A local expert birder described it in a newspaper article http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2017/apr/06/big-deal-bird-alexandria/, "This was an unprecedented ornithological sighting, not only for the City of Alexandria, but for all of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and much of the eastern United States."

It's about the size of a peregrine, but acts more like a really big Merlin, in that it is a pursuit and ambush predator, rather than stooping from a high altitude.

It has been a great privilege to be able to spend time with this remarkable bird.

Like everyone else, I'm conflicted. I'm glad to see Cadence's success, but I also hope that the former resident female has flown safely away, as Mariah did after losing to Beauty. Maybe her only having been at the site for a few months will have made her less determined to stay. According to one publication, only about a third of territorial battles are fatal, so I think it is more than wishful thinking.http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0159054#pone.0159054.ref008

So, I was just thinking, "this is the start of the season when I go to the cam first, rather than Facebook or the Forum," and I had a look.

I'm surprised there was that much territorial fighting this time of the year. Anyhow, get well soon, Diamonte!

Will do! Ricardo and I have been visiting our local falcons and getting good pictures. We have four also!

Miss you all! We are up there in spirit.

Paul

Hatch in progress at 10:04 AM! Be sure and zoom it all the way.

Glenn Stewart of the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group thinks that incubation is difficult and uncomfortable for peregrines. Still, I feel there's something relaxing and peaceful about a falcon on eggs. Here is Beauty, just now:

I miss Mary.

What is the 19th Ward? Is it in Rochester?

Four juveniles in the air over Rochester -- first time since the M&K days!

He has a whole e-book of stories:
http://www.amazon.com/Eye-With-Eagles-Hawks-Falcons-ebook/dp/B00BT0Q7QQ

Paul

Falcon in the gorge -- great news!

Just letting you know that, according to Twitter, the talon tag season has just begun.
http://twitter.com/WanderingFalcon/statuses/614811814212190208

Happy Birthday, Dot!

Paul