Spent the weekend in the twin cities area near Jordan MN. and was able to get out to the Louisiana Swamp area for the past two mornings. Observed around 50-60 shorebirds, mostly least sandpipers, some greater and lesser yellowlegs, some killdeer, a solitary sandpiper, and a spotted sandpiper. The shorebirds were observed in the exact location posted earlier this month by Craig Mandel, (see craig's directions posted 8/11/08, thanks Craig:) The highlight of the two mornings was having a belted kingfisher fly over my head followed by a peregrine falcon(appeared to be an adult bird) in hot pursuit. The peregrine attacked and dropped the kingfisher into the river, but it was not fatal. At this point the birds are about 100 yards away from me in great morning light. Immediately after the kingfisher hit the water the falcon flew several feet straight up, banked hard and dropped on the kingfisher again who was still in the water. The kingfisher amazingly held it's ground and appeared unharmed. Again the falcon flew straight up, banked and dropped on the kingfisher again, all the while the kingfisher was rattling away. After this third attack, the kingfisher managed to get out of the water and fly out of sight down the river with the falcon in hot pursuit. I had about twenty shorebirds in front of me while this was happening, (they were watching as intently as I was), and after the falcon had flown away after the kingfisher, the shorebirds sat motionless for about two minutes. Very cool! This is a neat area but wow that mud is like quicksand, I was up to mid thigh a few times and don't recommend trying to walk out on the mudflats if you are tactily sensitive:) Happy Birding, Shawn Zierman.
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