Lot of fuzzzzzzzz.
June 13, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
Although the afternoon was a quiet time at the bridge, the resident adults were very active in and around the nest territory. The juveniles are still showing a lot of fuzzzzzy down on their heads, but its coming off fast. The bridge tower face around the nest box is coated with white down that has been coming off the hatchlings. The resident adult female has been very active, with several food packages, (mostly pigeons) having been brought in this afternoon and evening.
I arrived at around 2:15 pm and was created by the group along with Barry and his wife Linda among several other on lookers. Bill and Sue returned after having been on site most of the morning and early afternoon. We got the tent cover set up with the chairs and a small table and I signed in with the bridge staff.
It was nice to see everyone again. I was able to see some of the fantastic photos that Bill and Barry had taken earlier in the week of the adult peregrines defending their territory against an adult Bald eagle that won’t be coming back anytime too soon!!
Fantastic shots of the resident adult female peregrine showing absolutely no fear as she stooped and dived bombed this poor adult bald eagle right out of sight. It was chased and dive bombed viciously as the camera’s at ground level snapped away. Other observations recorded of this new resident adult female attitude , commenting that she is “anal” about protecting her territory. Nothing is left alone in the surrounding air space. She aggressively pursues and attacks even the passing gulls that are caught off guard as they casually wonder by the twin towers. There is definitely a declared “no fly zone” that is aggressively enforced!
By dusk, both of the adult peregrines were displaying an unusual behavior (one that the group had been observing for weeks) of the two adults flying very close to the underside of the upper concrete support span of the sky way bridge, but not actually landing. It would almost appear that they are looking for something, perhaps looking for bats clinging to the warm concrete or larger insects?? We watched this new pair carry on with this unusual behavior over a 10 to 15 minute time frame and must admit can’t figure out what there so interested in. Time will tell.
By darkness, things were very quiet and as they should be. Hatchlings in the box, parents on the roost.
More to come,,, Stay tuned…….