Pulled into Campbell Park late Friday afternoon just as the sunshine
appeared after an overcast day. While walking along the road near the
main entrance to the offices, I noticed some feathers floating down through
the still air. I wondered if a pigeon (or Rock Dove, if you will) had been
taken by a falcon.
Not ten paces later, I found a dead pigeon a couple of metres off the
road. A quick examination revealed it was still warm. Then, so help me, as I
stood up, a Peregrine Falcon flew slowly over, five metres above my head.
It seemed to be staring intently at me and/or the pigeon. So I went off a
distance and watched for a while to see if the falcon returned, but no joy.
Anyhow, I went into the woods and watched the birds for 45 minutes.
On my way back the pigeon was still there. So, I'm left wondering if
the peregrine killed it. I feel that it did, but will never know for certain.
If so, why didn't it collect its kill? Was it put off by traffic and people? I
seem to remember hearing/reading that sometimes raptors will 'thrill-kill' or
'practice-kill', but I'm a bit dubious about that.
John Layton.
