Three falcon day at Montezuma

[huddiecat]

Hi All,
Don and I went back to Montezuma yesterday to check out the migrating warbler population.  When we got up there we spotted a Peregrine on top of a snag at the North Spring Pool.  We spent a lot of time trying to see if she had leg bands.  She, a beautiful, dark juvie, did not. 

On our way back from Howland, where we saw few birds, we saw another juvie Peregrine flushing pigeons near the potato barns.  We pulled the car to the side of the road to get a better look at the bird, and lost it behind the barns.  While standing by the side of the road, searching, I looked up and there she was above our heads looking down at us!  I yelled "over head" but Don could not get the camera out fast enough to take a pic before she disappeared again.  We looked around for her but could not relocate her.

We headed to Knox-Marcellus and I saw a Peregrine strafing the tops of the trees on the far side.  This one was obviously smaller.  Unfortunately it went down near the trees and I could not find it again.   Probably hunting the little shorebirds there yesterday.

We will be back up there for an afternoon meeting and will certainly be looking for Peregrines again!
Suzanne     

[Donna]

How cool is that Suzanne, 3 in one day. Way to go. Good luck today, we'll be waiting. Thank you.

[falconsforever129]

It would be wonderful if one of them was Jemison 

[Donna]

It would be wonderful if one of them was Jemison 

Or Callidora! 

[huddiecat]

It would be wonderful if one of them was Jemison 

Or Callidora! 

The two female juvies were fairly dark, so that is what I was hoping.   

[falconsforever129]

It would be wonderful if one of them was Jemison 

Or Callidora! 

The two female juvies were fairly dark, so that is what I was hoping.   

It would be so nice if they were both there and reunited.  I felt bad that they missed their bonding time together...I remember how precious they were together at the nest box 

[jeanne]

It would be wonderful if one of them was Jemison 

Or Callidora! 

The two female juvies were fairly dark, so that is what I was hoping.   

It would be so nice if they were both there and reunited.  I felt bad that they missed their bonding time together...I remember how precious they were together at the nest box 

That's what I found to be the most sad too!

[huddiecat]

We went back up to Montezuma yesterday and when we arrived we saw a Peregrine in a snag.  Similar to yesterday, but different spot.  It was convenient that there was an Osprey there to give us a size reference.  This one was definitely a male juvie and much lighter in color.  While Don set up the camera, he flew off to stoop the shorebirds.  We waited a long time, but he did not return. 

We decided to stop at May's Pool to check for the Ibis and Little Blue Heron.  As we were walking out to the platform I looked to the left and saw a Peregrine swoop in and harass the Grebes and shorebirds...Yeah, another Peregrine.  This one looked like one of the Peregrines we saw on Saturday, definitely a female juvie and dark.  She flew around a couple of times, but everyone else was looking at the Ibis who was in full view at the time.

Now I had two Peregrines and still no id pics.  We spent a lot of time driving around the area looking for Peregrines but didn't have anymore sitings.  We finally left the area about 5:30...but we'll be back up next weekend for a meeting at the Refuge.
Suzanne

[Bobbie Ireland]

Went back up to Montezuma yesterday and when we arrived we saw a Peregrine in a snag.

When I first read that, my heart sank! But I am now thinking a "snag" is not some sort of trap?? Tho I am sure they could do some useful banding/ringing there...

[Donna]

Went back up to Montezuma yesterday and when we arrived we saw a Peregrine in a snag.

When I first read that, my heart sank! But I am now thinking a "snag" is not some sort of trap?? Tho I am sure they could do some useful banding/ringing there...

a snag refers to a standing, partly or completely dead tree,   

[huddiecat]

Yeah Donna!  Yes, a snag is a dead tree, no branches and a great spot for Peregrines and other raptors to perch.  Over the years this pool of snags has been a popular spot for Peregrines.

[Bobbie Ireland]

Yeah Donna!  Yes, a snag is a dead tree, no branches and a great spot for Peregrines and other raptors to perch.  Over the years this pool of snags has been a popular spot for Peregrines.

Phew (!) re "snags" being dead trees - and not traps! I did not know that!

Also, BTW... discovered that SNAG also stands for Sensitive New Age Guy (S.N.A.G)... do we know any?? (And in Australia, I think a "snag" means a barbecue sausage... who knew?)

[Shaky]

Also, BTW... discovered that SNAG also stands for Sensitive New Age Guy (S.N.A.G)... do we know any??

No, we don't know any. They don't watch falcons because the wind might mess up their hair.

IOAG (Insensitive Old Age Grump)

[Bobbie Ireland]

Also, BTW... discovered that SNAG also stands for Sensitive New Age Guy (S.N.A.G)... do we know any??

No, we don't know any. They don't watch falcons because the wind might mess up their hair.

IOAG (Insensitive Old Age Grump)

Didn't think so...

[Carol P.]

We went back up to Montezuma yesterday and when we arrived we saw a Peregrine in a snag.  Similar to yesterday, but different spot.  It was convenient that there was an Osprey there to give us a size reference.  This one was definitely a male juvie and much lighter in color.  While Don set up the camera, he flew off to stoop the shorebirds.  We waited a long time, but he did not return. 

We decided to stop at May's Pool to check for the Ibis and Little Blue Heron.  As we were walking out to the platform I looked to the left and saw a Peregrine swoop in and harass the Grebes and shorebirds...Yeah, another Peregrine.  This one looked like one of the Peregrines we saw on Saturday, definitely a female juvie and dark.  She flew around a couple of times, but everyone else was looking at the Ibis who was in full view at the time.

Now I had two Peregrines and still no id pics.  We spent a lot of time driving around the area looking for Peregrines but didn't have anymore sitings.  We finally left the area about 5:30...but we'll be back up next weekend for a meeting at the Refuge.
Suzanne

Come on Suzanne!  The least you could do is get us ID's on these youngsters.