In my last post, I shared an autumn photo taken from the dock at Bogles Wharf at Eastern Neck NWR. It is one of many locations I visit 3-4 times a week at the refuge to look for my birds.
Just two days ago, I slowly pulled into an empty Bogles Wharf parking lot around 7:45 a.m. It was cloudy, windy, and 46°F (7°C).
To my startling surprise, I spotted a gorgeous Peregrine Falcon perched at the far end of the dock.
I slowly pulled up alongside the dock and photographed from my car while I can still hear myself saying, “please don’t fly, please don’t fly”.
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Peregrine Falcon
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Preening, fluffing, and just looking around, not worried about me. I shot off quite a few shots, then waited for any action.
A second surprise! The falcon showed me he was banded.
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“See? I have bands on both legs!”
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The right leg’s silver band should have a 9-digit federal number on it, but I could not obtain but two numbers with heavy processing. I have a clean shot of the left leg’s black/green band that shows 61CD. I’ve reported the sighting and supplied photos. Hopefully, I will hear back with info on who and where this falcon is from. (see update at end of post!)
After ten minutes, I was ready to give up on action, when a truck came barreling into the parking lot and pulled up right behind me. Ignoring the truck, I was ready for the falcon’s anticipated take-off.
The falcon went from fluffed up and adorable to sleek and powerful.
Wings were flapping!
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But no take-off. Wow, I was very surprised. The truck turned around and left.
The falcon went back to it’s original fluffy pose. ‘Cuz it was chilly, you know!
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I could see the raptor was back to comfortable, wanting some peace and rest.
As I slowly pulled away, I watched the falcon watch me leave. Sweet! From start to finish, my best encounter ever of this raptor!
UPDATE! On January 10, 2023, I received an email response to my reporting. This beautiful Peregrine Falcon is a female. She was banded before fledging in May 2022 by the State of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife in Westborough. I received the following certificate. How cool is that!!
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