Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: rcflier on December 18, 2012, 07:55:33 AM

Title: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: rcflier on December 18, 2012, 07:55:33 AM: On the CBC count with Jo-Anne on Saturday I witnessed this extreme attack on a group of gulls on the ice at Lake Aquitaine.

Notice (after the fact) the falcon is banded. He flew in over my head for a fairly good closeup.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YRGHVCvshCc/UM_PJf3V8hI/AAAAAAAAJLw/9aXTfYEvQvo/s720/DSC_5098.JPG)

He made several straffing runs over the gulls but in the end left empty taloned
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sBSY9utXpOY/UM_MUZhz37I/AAAAAAAAJKg/Gs3__50z4Iw/s720/DSC_5163.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nOg6WBJfT_A/UM_M_94a9DI/AAAAAAAAJK4/IBAPGrXx6wU/s720/DSC_5218.JPG)

I beleive there were a few ( 4 or 5) immature Black-backed gulls mixed in with the ring-billed.
They were much lager and I notice the pink legs and dark spot on the lower mandible
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1h9BXTXwCkQ/UM_Nap7h6jI/AAAAAAAAJLI/1rbepZLHrUU/s720/DSC_5226.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R7hwEKyZJp8/UM_NqIlWkCI/AAAAAAAAJLQ/ZR_PnbuVAhk/s720/DSC_5243.JPG)
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: Reuven_M on December 18, 2012, 08:04:10 AM: That's better than a Cooper's: it's a peregrine falcon! The larger gulls are adult herring gulls.
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: rcflier on December 18, 2012, 08:36:34 AM: Thanks for the corrections Reuven ( my bad !) I see these gulls have the "slatey grey" colour, and that the pink legs are strategic to the Herring gull.
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: farmer on December 18, 2012, 09:32:33 AM: I love the first shot!
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: rcflier on December 18, 2012, 09:56:40 AM: Thanks, more pics in the gallery if you follow the link below
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: Bird Brain on December 18, 2012, 06:37:39 PM: Quote from: "Reuven_M"
That's better than a Cooper's: it's a peregrine falcon!
Reuven ...an imm.?

Bob - great photos, especially #1 and #2 (the showdown!). :D
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: anatum on December 18, 2012, 10:39:02 PM: I would be very interested in knowing what is written on that green band if you can read it.
Our city peregrines do not typically hunt gulls so consider yourself lucky to have seen that!
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: rcflier on December 19, 2012, 07:48:59 AM: This incident was the second such that I witnessed at Aquitaine. I was there a few days earlier and saw the same thing. I am usually there at least once a week so maybe I will see it again !!

thanks, bob
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: dawnofthewolf on December 19, 2012, 03:11:07 PM: Nice, do they hunt the gulls?
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: Napper on December 20, 2012, 09:42:48 PM: Re: Peregrine Falcon

I'd have to go a couple of years back but a very credible birder on the Guelph forum reported spotting a Peregrine
flying near the RBC building at Mississauga rd and 401. (very close to that area).

Napper :shock:

I
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: anatum on December 23, 2012, 01:04:45 PM: After looking at the crop on this Peregrine I would think it was just having some fun with those gulls.
Any luck reading the bands?
Title: Re: Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine
Post by: cairnstone on January 01, 2013, 08:53:43 PM: The peregrine at the Hamilton lift bridge almost slammed right into us yesterday as it chased a pigeon on the beach. An incredible experience.