ML385001801

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Peregrine Falcon (immature) with Atlantic Puffin prey: Race Point, Provincetown, MA - 2 November 2021

Observation details

^ Originally beached at the base of the dunes behind the cove, alive but obviously in distress. Almost instantaneously as I spotted the bird an immature Peregrine flew in and landed on top of it and over the next 2-3 minutes dispatched it. A Great Black-backed Gull began harassing the falcon attempting to steal the prey, but was unsuccessful initially, though eventually caused the falcon to fly a hundred yards or so with the alcid on a couple of occasions. After a while the gull was successful in commandeering the puffin, though not until the falcon appeared to have had a decent meal. I don't know if the falcon had captured and brought the puffin to the base of the dune (perhaps temporarily flushed off the prey by my approach, though I was 100+ feet away in my vehicle when I spotted the alcid) or whether it "scavenged" a bird already in distress. When I first spotted the alcid it was facing directly away, so I was unable to see the face or bill, and assumed it was a Razorbill. Not until I looked at my photos that evening did I notice the gray face and orange feet (though in none of thee photos is the bill visible), and realize that my original identification/assumption was wrong.

Technical information

Model

ILCE-9M2

Lens

FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

ISO

3200

Focal length

600 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/7.1

Shutter speed

1/1600 sec

Dimensions

1200 pixels x 800 pixels

Original file size

468.35 KB