[obol] Eagles and Falcons at the SJCR

[Lee and Lori Cain]

Just a quick note to assure folks....I am positive of the Gyrfalcon I
reported last Sunday at the South Jetty Col. R.

I am sure Mike was just cautioning those who might drive a long ways looking
for it to not be overzealous, but all the same I should have reported the
field observations...

It was first spotted on the driftwood by my son, who said "Dad, there's a
hawk!" just before it flew out of sight. He sees Peregrines quite often with
me and isn't likely to think hawk when he sees one.

I then climbed up on the driftwood and flushed it again.  "Falcon" was
stamped all over its pointy wing tips, but they were much broader wings,
with a slower and heavier flap, rather irregular. Overall the bird was
comparable to a Redtail Hawk in size (and I thought this at the time). The
distinctive facial markings of a PEFA were missing, and the body was heavy
and rounded.  The back was heavily barred, not uniform dark gray like
Peregrine.  I would agree with Tim R about the gis....its unique character
stood out at the time and there was no question in my mind it was not a
Peregrine I was seeing.

But once again, given that every time in the past when I have gone chasing
GYRF sightings in our area, I haven't connected, so I do not recommend
driving all that far to try to find this bird.


Lee Cain
Aquatic Biology/Integrated Science
Astoria High School
>//////>   >//////>   >//////>