A Visit to Holcim; Both Adults Present
January 21, 2012 - Mississauga - Holcim
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Frank and I travelled out to Holcim to visit with the resident pair there and had quite an adventure. We spent approximately one hour before the pair appeared but when they did, the male flew up to the south corner of the eastern building to sit in the sun while the female made short work of what looked to be a gull. She took her time filling her crop and it was a treat to watch her. She is quite a large female and has a very impressive girth.
As we were leaving, we headed up the road to the stop sign and caught sight of a whirling flock of about 700 or more starlings. Frank encouraged me to stop and get a picture of the massive flock that represents such a target rich environment for the peregrines. I backed up from the stop sign 10 feet, got out, got the camera, took a picture and then was ready to go. I pulled up to the stop sign and to our right, a beautiful male kestrel. I backed up from the stop sign 10 feet, got out, got the camera, took a picture and then was ready to go. We pulled up to the stop sign to make a right turn, and out of the corner of my eye I catch movement. At the same time, I hear an alarm call. Across four lanes of traffic in front of me flies a Merlin with a starling in its talons. So… I backed up from the stop sign 10 feet, got out, got the camera, took a picture and then was ready to go. As we were ready to leave, a Red Tailed hawk flew into the tree above the Merlin, causing him to drop his prey and he flew up to the hydro wire where he stayed until the hawk left. It was only then that he went down to retrieve the starling and take off to safety to eat. A target rich environment indeed; three falcon species in 10 minutes in one square block!! What a day! And I can say without a doubt, if Frank wasn’t with me to witness it all, no one would have ever believed me!!