The Behavior and Ecology of Fall Peregrine Falcons at Lummi Bay and Vicinity, Whatcom County, Washington

Abstract

The behavior and ecology of Peregrine-Falcons were studied at Lummi Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, from October through December, 1983. Peregrines were observed 207 times on 80% of the field days. We identified a minimum of 15 individual falcons during the study. The main peregrine activity was centered in and around Lummi Bay. Habitat preferred by the dominant adult female included a wooded ridge, tidal mudflats, and level agricultural fields. Combined observations yielded 154 hours and 46 minutes of direct study of peregrine behavior: falcons were perched 84% of that time, in flight 16%. Forty two prey items, primarily ducks and shorebirds, were recovered. Peregrines were successful hunters 22% of the time; 153 hunting flights were witnessed. An adult female was radio-tagged on 1 December and followed over the next 30 days. She roosted in the San Juan Islands, 11 miles southwest of the main study area.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA285236

Entities

People

  • Clifford M. Anderson
  • James K. Fackler
  • Randall K. Knapp

Organizations

  • United States Army Corps of Engineers

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Habitats
  • Wildlife

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Coastal and Marine Engineering/Sediment Transport/Hydraulic Engineering
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.