[MDOsprey] Ruddy Duck Meal at Leeds Creek
Leslie Roslund (Lroslund@bluecrab.org)
Mon, 15 Nov 1999 15:15:03 -0500
MDOspreyers -
There was high drama outside our window on the headwaters of Leeds Creek
between 11:00 and 11:35 this morning. During that period, the natural
events of predator and prey were played out before our very eyes. One
little Ruddy Duck, working alone as he preyed upon small creatures in the
shallow waters of the creek, became prey for a pair of Bald Eagles, and the
excitement began.
First one Eagle, and then the other, would dive toward the Ruddy, and each
time, at seemingly the very last moment, the Ruddy would dive and the Eagle
would miss. The Eagles tried diving from high up, then hovering and
dropping from the hover, then swooping in from low over the water - and
time after time the little Ruddy dove in successful evasion. Other birds
in the area went silent and withdrew. Sixty Canada Geese huddled near the
shore in a nearby cove. The Goldfinches and House Finches left the
feeders and sat silently in the trees near shore. The Great Blue Heron
paused in its own hunting. The Kingfisher totally disappeared from his
usual sentinel spot on one of the pilings of our pier. And the drama
continued.
Again, and again, and again, the Eagles tried, and the Ruddy evaded. When
the chase first started, the Ruddy was near our pier, less than 75 feet
from our viewing windows. As the battle went on, the Ruddy seemed to be
trying to make its way towards deeper water, but its progress was all too
slow. On occasion, the Eagles would stop, and even fly off for a few
minutes, but soon they were back. They did not attack in unison, but
seemed to be taking turns. Eventually they appeared to be getting closer
to success with each dive, and then their dives became more frequent.
Perhaps the Ruddy was tiring. Perhaps the Eagles were finding strategies
that were the most favorable. In any event, suddenly one Eagle, from a
hovering position 10-20 feet over the water, dove successfully upon the
emerging Ruddy - went completely under the water - and after what seemed
like an amazingly long time, emerged with the Ruddy in its talons - and
flew away with its prey.
A marvelous demonstration of high drama in the wild! Thirty-five minutes
of perseverance - and success for the Eagles - though a less happy outcome
for the Ruddy. Then all became quiet again, and the birds of the area
returned to their normal feeding patterns. The Geese came out from the
cove, swam past our pier, then lifted off the water and flew away.
Les Roslund
Lroslund@bluecrab.org
Easton, MD