Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 14:59:31 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Jeff Shenot Subject: Metropolitan Kestrel pair (Silver Spring) There was a pair of adult kestrels (male and female) hunting, perching, etc., on top of two of the NOAA buildings at 1315 East-West Highway this afternoon. From my office window I often notice birds using the area, but this is the first time I've seen any falcons (I've only been here since April '03). That's somewhat of a surprise, since I would expect with the large number of tall buildings around here to occasionally see a falcon either hunting here or passing by. They were here about one hour. Don't know if they were "residents" or just passing through, but safe date has passed for the Atlas Project. I enjoyed seeing the male sally out to catch a large beetle, and then a darner of some sort. Both kestrels were getting harassed by a pair of fish crows protesting there presence. Jeff Shenot Croom, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================