!!! Update on the Saint John peregrines…and, yes, I can confirm the plural
February 21, 2011 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Hello folks at CPF – update on the Saint John peregrines…and, yes, I can confirm the plural.
Spotted two peregrines yesterday at 3:12pm over the Reversing Falls Bridge. The bridge crosses the narrowest point of St. John River where it widens out into the harbour and then flows out to the Bay of Fundy. Incidentally, the Irving Tissue Mill is very close to this bridge. The Falls attracts a lot of sea birds: gulls of all sorts and cormorants (summer), there are lots of rock doves and also different species of hawks, the occasional bald eagle and now the peregrines.
As I was approaching the bridge by car, my attention was caught by a lot of gulls swirling about in the air. I pulled over and parked the car and that’s when I saw two peregrines in silhouette from below. One flew down and levelled out and gave me a very good look at him/her - I could clearly see the “sideburns” on the cheeks and the dark grey colouring on his/her back. I didn’t have binoculars or a good camera (Iphone was useless –Apple designers need to correct that deficiency).
I watched them for about 15 minutes - there were two and they were hunting. I watched one bird “stoop” and dive in an attempt to catch a gull. He/she missed the gull by inches. Quite something to see! I didn’t see the Pefa’s close enough together to be able to say for sure they are a male and female pair.
A good digital camera with movie capability is my next step! I will DEFINITELY get photos. I’m hooked.
Gaye Kapkin