Hi All, The tidal flats at Cupsogue Beach, Westhampton Dunes held 6 Marbled Godwits at just before 9 am this morning. Five of the birds left the immediate area after about twenty minutes. Shorebird numbers in general were down at Cupsogue and Pikes. While leaving the bayfront I met up with John Turner and Stella Miller and the 3 of us went looking for the flock of Godwits at Pikes Beach. We were not successful in that search, but we did witness an unexpected aerial show. As we neared the tip of the large sand spit at Pikes Beach, Stella spotted a Peregrine coming over the Spit just to our rear .It scattered the birds all round us and headed straight for the long thin sandbar to the west There It found a target in a lone Sanderling and gave chase,making looping dives on the bird. A third bird picked up the chase. It was a Royal Tern and it was actually tailing the Peregrine. The Falcon,broke its line with the shorebird, picked up speed and passed us by low, with powerful strokes. It continued eastwards over the bay. Then, just as we looked away a second Peregrine dropped out of the sky onto the sand right in front of us. It was a first year bird and it gave us time to watch it in scopes. This bird also headed for the long sandbar and was soon in pursuit of a peep in a series of swoops, all while two Common Terns stayed close on its tail. .Good August Birding, Carl Starace
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