Throughout Wednesday, Thursday and into Friday mid-day there were raptors continually cruising the island, especially HARRIERS & PEREGRINES. But there were also plenty of MERLINS, occasional KESTRELS & EAGLES and lots of chasing and conflicts. The prey species had hardly a moment of rest but faired remarkably well, in spite of attacks from multiple directions.
I had several close encounters, especially with Peregrines. Having a falcon come in at eye level and full speed and pass within a metre of your head does give one an greater appreciation of the prey's world.
By late Friday afternoon the raptors were either gone or inactive and the FLICKERS and such got some feeding time. At dusk I saw 2 Peregrines and 1 Harrier that looked ready to spend the night.
Contrary to my expectations, there seemed to be little movement overnight. That, plus the drizzle & rain today have produced a rather quiet day around here.
Well ....... maybe "quiet" is the wrong word.
A contingent of approximately 50 BLUE JAYS arrived a couple hours ago. Jays are regular here but flocks are exceptional. These are voicing their feelings about having a HARRIER near by.
I've also seen up to 6 KESTRELS at a time and they are "talking" a lot and perching 2 or 3 at a time atop the lighthouse and our chimneys. Now and then there's one on our doorstep railing.
A couple PEREGRINES over-nighted but appear to have departed early this morning.
New this morning, a single CANADA GOOSE feeding on the lawn.
I've been seeing pairs and similiar small groups over the last several days, all apparently migrating.
Also apparently migrating daily since mid-week, several flocks of CORMORANTS with 40-100+.
I had several close encounters, especially with Peregrines. Having a falcon come in at eye level and full speed and pass within a metre of your head does give one an greater appreciation of the prey's world.
By late Friday afternoon the raptors were either gone or inactive and the FLICKERS and such got some feeding time. At dusk I saw 2 Peregrines and 1 Harrier that looked ready to spend the night.
Contrary to my expectations, there seemed to be little movement overnight. That, plus the drizzle & rain today have produced a rather quiet day around here.
Well ....... maybe "quiet" is the wrong word.
A contingent of approximately 50 BLUE JAYS arrived a couple hours ago. Jays are regular here but flocks are exceptional. These are voicing their feelings about having a HARRIER near by.
I've also seen up to 6 KESTRELS at a time and they are "talking" a lot and perching 2 or 3 at a time atop the lighthouse and our chimneys. Now and then there's one on our doorstep railing.
A couple PEREGRINES over-nighted but appear to have departed early this morning.
New this morning, a single CANADA GOOSE feeding on the lawn.
I've been seeing pairs and similiar small groups over the last several days, all apparently migrating.
Also apparently migrating daily since mid-week, several flocks of CORMORANTS with 40-100+.
Several large DRAGON FLIES (species unknown) seen every day;
1 to 4 MONARCH BUTTERFLY sightings daily right up to today. I suspect it might be resights of one individual the last 4 days.
1 to 4 MONARCH BUTTERFLY sightings daily right up to today. I suspect it might be resights of one individual the last 4 days.
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