Peregrine Falcons at the Bay Bridge

[J.A. Veil]

I'm with you, that fishing is not just about the fish, but also seeing all the sights that the wild world can provide.

I agree completely with this sentiment. I fished this afternoon from my kayak in a tidal pond near Annapolis. During 2 hours on the pond, I caught 7 pickerel but saw a fox and several young deer cross over a shallow stretch of water near the pond inlet. There are always herons, kingfishers, ducks, geese, and other birds around the pond. I also saw my first ctenophores (comb jellies -- golf ball sized animals that look like jellyfish) of the year in the Severn.

[pkeating]

Wow - With Piscophile (obvious biological expertise) and John (breaking bad with the Ctenophores), I feel transported back to biology class, only this time I am paying attention.

Pat

[TomGlenBurnie]

great posts and comments, especially Piscophile . Thanks you enrich us.

[Stonewall]

I love 'em. They taste like chicken!

[uncle phill]

Harrisburg PA has had a program for years in some tall building to watch over nests and see that the young survive.

Here's the link to the Rachel Carson Building falcon cam in Harrisburg:

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/default.htm

For the past 5 years or so, we've been lucky enough to see the pair that nests on the Key Bridge train their young in hunting. Just last fall we saw a parent hitting then dropping the same bird 3 separate times over the Patapsco River chanel near Beth Steel while the juvenile falcon was flying close by. Any bird making the b-line across the river has no chance once the Peregrine makes its move.

[deeka]

Keep an eye out when fishing the Target Ship. I've seen Peregrines out there from time to time over the last couple of years.

[ldleta]

I saw one in the 90's at the Bay Bridge. It dived on a pigeon and the pigeon went to the ground and went inside the rip-rap found around the pilings. Very cool! Like Deeka said also, they are seen quite often around the concrete ships at Kiptopeke. I live on Roanoke Island and see them all winter. My neighbor has a chicken and pheasant pen very close to my place and I get awesome looks at them as they harass the domstic fowl. I also get nice looks at them while driving the beaches on the way fishing.

Now, if you really want to see one, go to Chincateague National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern shore of Virginia. There are enormous flocks of shore birds there in late September and early October. Take the wildlife drive around the pond. When the water is low, the shorebirds flock close together on the mudflats and the Perigrines just wear them out. Look on the ground and anything that sticks up. You will start seeing them. If you stay there for a little while, you [U]will[U]see them hunt. I once saw 14 individuals in that same little area. It was something special.

[Hookman571]

I used to have a Falcon that I did a little nesting in back in the 60's. There used to be a little screaching from time to time as well.
It was a four door.
Sorry Shawn, Somebody had to do it. Seriously though, these 2 guys have been having a feast for over a month in my back yard.
Young Red Tails I believe.

Great post until I ruined it.

[DaveHuz]

Topic caught my eye when I just signed on. Had been checking road (rain) conditions at the Annapolis area when I brought up the MD Chart cameras that are on all the road intersections around. Hanging on the camera at the Route 50/Sandy Pt location was an eagle. Yes, I know my birds also. This guy hung on the camera for about 8 min. every once in a while flapping his wings and repositioning himself until he decided to bug out. It's neat to see some bizarre stuff out there when nature decides to reveal herself.

[deringer66]

I've been working at the Baltimore marriott waterfront hotel since it opened 11 years ago. i remember the 1st couple of years there was a couple peregrine falcons nesting up near the top floors. One time i was up in the presidential suite on the 32nd floor and I was standing right by the window. This falcon flies by stops and hovers for about 3 seconds looking straight at me not more than 5 ft from the window. It would have been the shot of the lifetime had I had a camera and was quick enough. A few other times I saw them flying and diving right past me, talk about quick. I haven't seen them out there for a number of years now, wish they would come back thin out some of the pigeons down there.