Lunch for Two
Our second field trip was, depending on how strict a lister you
are, a success. 8 folks, plus Kate and I gathered at Miegs
field at 8am today. The first bird on the agenda was the Snowy
Owl that usually winters at Miegs. Unfortunately, it had not
been reported for several weeks and we weren't destined to change
that. It would have been a lifer for several people in the
group, so we spent about an hour checking the field from various
vantage points to no avail.
Then it was off to the 55th St. Promontory (near Hyde Park)
where, in the past, Harlequins have been found, as recently as
last week. Braving the cold (it's still pretty chilly here), we
hiked out to find lots and lots of C. Goldeneye and Red-breasted
Mergansers, but nothing else. We were about to head back when
one of the group spotted a hawk out over the lake flying toward
land with a duck in its grasp.
We all got on the bird but it landed behind a wall on the
shoreline before we were able to narrow it down to anything other
than "large falcon." Then we saw another one come in and land
next to where the other one was, out of view, of course.
The landing pad was about a quarter of a mile away and a few
hardy souls decided to walk there on foot. Us wimps went back to
the cars and met them there. As we came down off the pedestrian
bridge that goes over Lake Shore Drive, we spotted TWO adult
Peregrines feasting on a very yucky looking, former duck.
It was fascinating, if a little gross. When we arrived, the
female was patiently standing next to the male who was chowing
down, tugging reluctant pieces of duck from the buffet. They
were very tolerant of our presence and we were able to get within
about 50 feet of them. Imagine looking at a pair of Peregrines
through a Swarovski at 60 power from 50 feet away. We could see
everything. It was really an experience. The photographers
in
the group were having a field day.
After a while, the female started screaming and grabbed the duck
with one foot and started to hop away from the male, clumsily
dragging it. Evidently, she felt that he had enough.
He flew
off into a tree practically over our head and screamed back at
her for a while as she finished her meal.
The spell was broken as a dog walker with dog unleashed came
along and the missus abandoned her repast and exited, stage left.
We all congratulated ourselves on what fine birders we were and
what wonderful field trip leaders Kate and I were and started
back across Lake Shore Drive. As we were walking across the
bridge, one of Chicago's finest pulled over below us and called
up to us. She wanted to know what that hawk was that she kept
seeing in the area. We educated her and answered a couple of
other questions about all those white ducks she saw out on the
lake.
We looked at our watches and realized the morning was pretty much
shot. We headed back to Miegs to "de-caravan" and headed home.
Now, the disclaimer. I assume that you've all been thinking
about what the heck is a ~pair~ of Peregrines doing in Chicago in
January. Think Peregrine release program. That's why this is
edgy, list-wise. But, when you consider that we got to see a
pair, make a kill, feed on the meal, interact, AND we got to see
them up close and personal, so what?
Jim Frazier |
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