Coop swoop over Lake Aquitaine

[rcflier]

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.


He made several straffing runs over the gulls but in the end left empty taloned




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

[Reuven_M]

That's better than a Cooper's: it's a peregrine falcon! The larger gulls are adult herring gulls.

[rcflier]

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.

[farmer]

I love the first shot!

[rcflier]

Thanks,  more pics in the gallery if you follow the link below

[Bird Brain]

That's better than a Cooper's: it's a peregrine falcon!

Reuven ...an imm.?  

Bob - great photos, especially #1 and #2 (the showdown!).  

[anatum]

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!

[rcflier]

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

[dawnofthewolf]

Nice, do they hunt the gulls?

[Napper]

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

[anatum]

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?

[cairnstone]

The peregrine at the Hamilton lift bridge almost slammed right into us yesterday as it chased a pigeon on the beach. An incredible experience.