During the Kleinburg area CBC on Sunday our team (John McLean, Mike Van den
Tillaart and I) was thrilled to observe a Peregrine Falcon perched atop a farm
silo on the east side of Dixie Road. It remained there for several minutes
while we enjoyed great looks at the legendary hunter through our binoculars and
spotting scopes.
As we were watching it a flock of approx. 200 Snow Buntings flew in from the
east and crossed Dixie Road. We watched them veer to the southwest then we
turned our attention back to the falcon. Not surprisingly, it had left its
perch and was winging its way westward, moving powerfully and gradually gaining
altitude on those dark, pointed wings. It, too, veered to the southwest and
was lost to view. I wonder if there is one less Snow Bunting in that flock
today...
The Peregrine was the 4th one recorded in the 31 years of Kleinburg's CBC.
Although it flew from its perch there, the silo mentioned above is at 13311
Dixie Road ("Brymarie Farm"), approx. 3 kms south of King Road. The bird - an
adult - was observed at 3:45 p.m.
Ron Fleming, Newmarket
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