Mystery bird?

I really should be doing homework right now, but alas, I have taken time out to post a quick update on my birding life.

I was taking a bike ride around campus a little while ago, when I saw a blue jay land in a small oak tree on the side of the road. As I rode closer, it flew from the tree, followed closely behind by a medium-sized bird of prey!

Both birds darted quickly across the street, and I was barely able to get a look at the preditor before it disappeared in the palm hammock. From what I saw, it had dark facial markings, a dark back, and tan coloration below the wings.

My first thougth was Peregrine Falcon. I contemplated that for a while, as I turned and headed back towards my dorm, but then I second guessed myself, and began wondering if Peregrine Falcons would really be found in my area.

I've never seen one here before, so I started doubting myself. When I got back, I googled it, but couldn't find any conclusive information. Other possibilities might be that it was an American Kestrel (although it seemed to big for that) or some kind of hawk (although the wing shape was different).

So what was it? I still don't know. I want to think it was a Peregrine, but I find it hard to believe they'd be living in the preserve areas on campus. Hmmm.... Anyone have any ideas?

I do have some good, more conclusive news, however. Next week, I'm volunteering with Project FeederWatch, so I should have some interesting things to report on after that. Should be fun!

Until next time,

Happy birding!

CMBS | Part 4

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." ~John Muir

Day 3: June 26, 2007

We awoke a little bit after dawn on the fourth day of camp, and quickly packed our lunch (more of Chef Janii's incredible food) before a 2 1/2 hour drive to Acadia National Park.

I should note here that this was possibly the hottest day EVER in midcoast Maine. The temperatures were in the 90s, and, packed in a 15-passenger van with no a/c turned out to be an ordeal.

Nonetheless, the experience turned out to be one of the most fun of the entire camp.

While we spent the entire day here birding, the most memorable moment took place below the Precipice at Cadillac Mountain.

We were meeting with a park ranger, and as she started explaining about their behavior, someone stood up and pointed.

There was a flurry excitement, and seconds later, we were all standing in a group with our binoculars pointed toward the mountain.

I couldn't see what they were all looking for at first, but then I caught it just as the bird swooped down. A Peregrine Falcon was divebombing a vulture!

The vulture flew away, but the falcon swooped up to a small crevasse in the precipice. The ranger and councilors quickly set the spotting scopes up, and we were able to get a fairly clear view of the magnificent bird of prey.

The only sad part about seeing the falcon was that there were only a few nesting pairs in Acadia, and their nests had been destroyed by recent earthquakes. So unfortunately, there would be no new Peregrines that year in Acadia.

After spending the rest of the day at the park, and birding our little hearts out, we stopped by the nature center before leaving.

As we stood on the trail looking up into some trees (come to think of it, I spent that entire week standing on trails looking up at trees... but anyhow..) a sudden noise behind us caused everyone to turn around.

A flock of American Woodcocks had been startled, and were all waddling away! They were extremly hard to photograph, but funny looking birds. Some were almost close enough to touch, but they ran away on nimble legs, glancing nervously around.

And thus, my day at Acadia came to a close. We played birding games in the 2 hour ride back to the island, and returned to our cabin well after bed time.

***

Check back in a few days for Part 5: Storms, Gulls, and Puffins.

Falcon cam

The Field Museum of Chicago, IL, is running a live Peregrine Falcon Cam. The falcon is nesting in a nesting box on top of the Midwest Generation power plant.

As of May 9th, two eggs had hatched, and the nest seems to be doing well. The falcon has been in the nest every time I've checked; she's usually in the back, right-hand corner.

Happy birding!