An intriguing sighting of a possible juvenile Gyrfalcon on the north shore of Block Island just east of Long Island.
Google Maps location: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ygdmt7s Link to post on "Rhode Island Birds" list: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/RIBD.html#1257274879 /----- begin quote -----\ Subject: Block Island - Unk large falcon, [...] From: "Thomas M" <sunsetseeker78 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:01:05 -0000 [...] Today on the north end I had saw a large falco that I will leave as unidentified. It was absolutely massive. I saw it for a minute max. It never flapped, just road the updraft of the bluff and I saw it soar once. I have seen plenty (hundreds) of peregrines in my days, and if this was a peregrine it would be the fattest, honkenest female that ever took to the skies. It was an immature bird. It jumped me and I saw it naked eye and thought, wow my first goshawk for the island and then it turned. That is when I realized it was a falcon. I got my bins on it as it was starting to head away from me. The underside was completely streaked, even on the vent. The body and wings were so broad and huge, massive I have to say. The wings appeared pointed. But the body looked like a stovepipe, hence the first impression of gos. Was it a gyr, your guess is as good as mine, it would have been a lifer. I have no experience with them, but I feel I might have blown a stellar call of an incredible bird! Ah well, you win some and lose some! [...] Cheers! -Tom M. \----- end quote -----/ Ben Cacace Manhattan, NYC -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
