[EBB Sightings] Solano County and Prairie Falcon Behavior - 2-12-2006

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This morning we birded the Grizzly Island area and the fields east of Fairfield.

Highlights at Grizzly Island included a flyby American Bittern about a mile south of Hwy 12 at 6:45 AM.  Soon after that we found a group of Wilson's Snipe sitting together; probably a half-dozen birds in all.  There was a Merlin at the park headquarters.  We heard and then saw one Sora just past the headquarters buildling. Plus all the usual suspects; tons of harriers, kites, WC and GC sparrows, a few Savannah Sparrows.

We then headed for the fields east of Fairfield.  On Creed Road, about two miles east of the air force base, we saw our first Prairie Falcon of the day.  This bird took off from the field to our north, gained altitude, and then flew up and attacked a passing Great Blue Heron!  The heron was cruising around 100 feet up, and the falcon flew up, flipped over, and hit it directly in the belly.  The heron let out a squawk and continued squawking for five or ten seconds.  It regained its composure and continued flying, and the falcon turned its attention elsewhere.  It then dove and buzzed some ground birds, but didn't hit anything that we saw.

Just east of Hwy 113 on Robinson Road we saw our second Prairie Falcon.  Farther down Robinson Road we found two Ferruginous Hawks, one of which gave us great looks.

We found a single Burrowing Owl on Robinson Road a half-mile north of the intersection with Flannery Road, right at the corner.

We found no Mountain Plovers, and did not see the Mountain Bluebirds that were seen by a group from Antioch earlier in the day.  We were told that they saw those birds along Flannery Road, east of Hwy 113.

The only other bird of note was a single Forster's Tern seen at the Brannan Island State Recreation Area.  It was the first one I've seen this year.

We had 68 species for the day. 

- Andy Pedler - Newark, CA

		
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This morning we birded the Grizzly Island area and the fields east of Fairfield.

Highlights at Grizzly Island included a flyby American Bittern about a mile south of Hwy 12 at 6:45 AM.  Soon after that we found a group of Wilson's Snipe sitting together; probably a half-dozen birds in all.  There was a Merlin at the park headquarters.  We heard and then saw one Sora just past the headquarters buildling. Plus all the usual suspects; tons of harriers, kites, WC and GC sparrows, a few Savannah Sparrows.

We then headed for the fields east of Fairfield.  On Creed Road, about two miles east of the air force base, we saw our first Prairie Falcon of the day.  This bird took off from the field to our north, gained altitude, and then flew up and attacked a passing Great Blue Heron!  The heron was cruising around 100 feet up, and the falcon flew up, flipped over, and hit it directly in the belly.  The heron let out a squawk and continued
 squawking for five or ten seconds.  It regained its composure and continued flying, and the falcon turned its attention elsewhere.  It then dove and buzzed some ground birds, but didn't hit anything that we saw.

Just east of Hwy 113 on Robinson Road we saw our second Prairie Falcon.  Farther down Robinson Road we found two Ferruginous Hawks, one of which gave us great looks.

We found a single Burrowing Owl on Robinson Road a half-mile north of the intersection with Flannery Road, right at the corner.

We found no Mountain Plovers, and did not see the Mountain Bluebirds that were seen by a group from Antioch earlier in the day.  We were told that they saw those birds along Flannery Road, east of Hwy 113.

The only other bird of note was a single Forster's Tern seen at the Brannan Island State Recreation Area.  It was the first one I've seen this year.

We had 68 species for the day. 

- Andy Pedler - Newark, CA

		
Brings words and photos together (easily) with
 
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