Raptor Survey at Ocean Shores

March 6, 2011

It was terribly foggy when my daughter Hilary and I left Rochester at 4:15am for Ocean Shores. When we got to Ocean Shores, there was frost on everything although it didn't seem quite that cold.

We joined up with Mary Kay Kenney and Dan Miller in their SUV for our survey on the beach. Hilary was drafted to gather research data and we both helped sight for raptors on the beach.

Peregrine falcon A/4 perched on driftwood on a frosty beach.

Dan Miller trying to look inconspicuous as he gets a closer look at the falcon's bands...
We're pretty sure he wasn't fooling anyone.

After tiring of having humans trying to peek at her legs, A/4 moved down the beach a bit to perch again on some driftwood. Here you can see why it's hard to get a glimpse of the bands on a fluffy falcon's legs.

A brave and no doubt cold beachcomber walking along a choppy March surf.

Unfortunately, we didn't get the better shot of this scene. When we first drove by, there was no one in sight, just the dog digging furiously at the base of the rear tire. It looked like someone's devoted pet was trying to rescue their stuck truck single-handed.

Hilary made the sighting of this bald eagle perched on a sign post.

After turning around and heading north up the beach again, we re-sighted A/4 yet again.

Professional photographer Phil Seu snapping photos of A/4. Now that's a camera lens!

We eventually came across two adult bald eagles perched near each other on driftwood.

Mary Kay spotted a dark falcon hunkered down on a driftwood log. We eventually were able to identify the falcon as P5.

P5 in flight over beach.

P5 flying just inches above the sand.

P5 dropping down on prey.

This awkward pose by P5 is confirmation of her identity.

Before leaving the beach for the day, we glimpsed something that just seemed out of place. Who thought it was a good idea to take weiner dogs to the beach for a walk on a chilly day.
... that just isn't right.

Thank you so much to Dr. Varland and to Mary Kay Kenney and Dan Miller for their kind hospitality!

This was a special day for Crabby Chicken Ranch folks more accustomed to fraternizing with miniature horses than raptors at the Pacific coasts... I mean 'coast' - duh!

Regular updates and reports of Dr. Varland's research are available at coastalraptors.org.