This evening on the lower lake there were several large rafts of coots with
some ducks mixed in including Ruddy, Redhead, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, and Green-winged Teal. Also mixed in were a few
Pied-billed Grebes, 4 Horned Grebes, and 1 Eared Grebe.
Off Campground 4 at Jester, a large adult Peregrine flushed a flock of a couple
hundred puddle ducks and managed to grab hold of a Green-winged Teal. The duck
managed to get loose but was clearly injured and cartwheeled to the water
below. The Peregrine then repeatedly circled it, coming in low and trying to
grab it off the water. The duck ducked underwater each time and seemed to be
successfully frustrating the falcon which seemed reluctant to get too wet.
Things changed when a young Bald Eagle took notice of what was going on and
decided it would also like to eat the duck. The eagle began taking shots at
the bobbing duck while the falcon alternated trying to chase the eagle away and
trying to grab the duck. The Peregrine finally made a fast, aggressive pass at
the duck and managed to grab it by the head briefly. This mortally wounded it,
but before the Peregrine could circle back, the eagle plucked the duck and flew
off with it. All this drama pretty much cleared out the ducks and shorebirds,
so I don't know what else was around on the flats.
Good birding,Aaron Brees
Des Moines, IA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/abrees/
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