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Subject:

Severn River Update

From:

Dan haas

Reply-To:

Dan haas

Date:

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 13:48:16 -0400

I've been spending some time watching the Peregrine couple on the
Severn River.  They are both doing well.  The female tends to stick
around the bridge, waiting.  The male comes back every so often,
almost always from the Arnold / Severna Park area and this get the
female up and flying.  They meet on one of the piers that support the
bridge, exchange pleasantries (screams) and then preen.

This morning, the returning male gave chase to a Black Vulture in
flight.  Impressive.  He then went after a House Finch over the river.
 Both birds never became a meal.

The Severn Riverkeeper had a boat full of folks testing the water (and
peering up with bins at the two perched, preening Falcons) this
morning.  AA Bird Club President Pierre Henkart was on board and
noticed me on the shore. Alison Buckalew, one of the Riverkeepers,
drove the boat over to say hello.  She told me that the water quality,
as expected, was not all that great.

Incidentally, I noticed not one, but TWO Ring Billed Gulls this
morning on the river.

Finally, two days ago (Sunday), a gentlemen sat on his boat under the
bridge looking for the falcons.  From my scope's angle, this birder
was playing tape to try to get these birds to appear.  They did not.
Sure, I've been known to play a tape lure on occasion... but not while
nesting might be taking place.  So until the USFWS confirms whether or
not these two Falcons have made any attempts at nesting... my
suggestion would be that if you want to see these falcons, just be
patient.  They'll appear.  If they are in fact nesting, the last thing
they need to concern themselves with is what they perceive as another
Peregrine.  Yes, it is rather late in the season for them to be
starting a family.  However, the spot bridge work being done this
spring was only recently completed, so they may be making a late run
at procreation now that the workers are (for the most part) gone.

Good Birding,

Dan Haas
West Annapolis, MD