Hi there, I'm writing to make a correction to my post a few days ago regarding a Gyrfalcon at Hillman Marsh in Leamington. A number of highly regarded and skilled northern birders agreed with our initial identification based on our photos and account of the sighting - but after some skepticism, we sent the photos to more birders for further scrutiny. After a thorough analysis it seemed a better fit for a massive immature tundrius (the expected migrant subspecies) Peregrine Falcon with rather heavier than average proportions and markings.
The three of us are all very experienced with migrant Peregrines, and just this fall I've watched many dozens of various size fly, hunt, and migrate for prolonged periods of time, never looking close to as large or strong as this individual. This seems to be without a doubt the largest, strongest, and most impressive Peregrine I've ever seen. The apparent size, strength, and flight style of this individual may have been exaggerated by the very strong wind hitting it. We apologize for any excitement and refinding efforts put forth by anyone who was interested in our sighting. This has been a great lesson about the potential extremes of Peregrine Falcons! Good birding, Jeremy, Amanda, and Lev > On Nov 13, 2016, at 1:18 PM, Jeremy Bensette <jeremy_bense...@hotmail.com> > wrote: > > We just saw an immature grey Gyrfalcon bomb on the ducks, gulls, and > shorebirds at the Shorebird Cell at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area!! It > headed east toward the lake. Hillman Marsh on Mersea Rd 2 about 6km east of > Leamington in Essex County. The shorebird cell is on the path south of the > main parking lot. Vehicle permit required. Wooo!! > > Oh and the Red-necked Phalarope is still in the east end of the shorebird > cell. > > Good birding! > > Jeremy, Lev, Amanda, Paul, Darlene, Mel > > > > Jeremy Bensette - Leamington, ON > Birding/wildlife tours, Photography, Naturalist Services _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
