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Subject:

Peregrines (?), American Legion Bridge, I495

From:

Clive Harris

Reply-To:

Clive Harris

Date:

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:50:23 -0800

For the last five months I've occasionally seen a pair of raptors when I've been crossing back into Md on the American Legion Bridge on the Beltway. I am always in the exit lane for the Clara Barton Parkway and have seen them perched fairly high up on the southern Md side of the Potomac; and they've always been facing the river.  They looked suspiciously like Peregrines but there is nowhere to stop and unfortunately the trees they frequent aren't accessible from the towpath since they are on a small island, so I have never had a good look at them.
   
  I was crossing back over the river today and, with no leaves on the trees, got a better look at one of the birds - as good as 40mph while driving can safely give.  It had a very pale, almost whiteish breast, dark grey back and a blackish head, with the shape of the black looking a lot like a Peregrine's helmet.  The second bird seemed quite a bit smaller but otherwise similar.  Of course this was all without bins, so the ID is still tentative.

This might explain the origins of a Peregrine that I saw fly over the Palisades Pool, off of Seven Locks Rd, one evening back in July.
   
  Perhaps someone can cross over as a passenger and try and confirm whether or not they're Peregrines - or perhaps someone is already aware of these birds?  They've been there as  a pair at least since mid-summer of this year.
   
  Regards
   
  Clive Harris
  Cabin John, MD