Tony Palliser's fascinating observation of a Peregrine 5nm out at sea
reminds me of similar, although less extreme, occurances here in South
Africa.
While birding at Cape Point a couple of years back, I recall
watching an adult Peregrine flying from the cliffs above the
lighthouse, a regular site, eastwards across False Bay at an altitude
of approx 150 metres until I eventually lost sight of the bird as it
diminished to sub-microscopic size, at which time it still appeared
to be heading rather purposefully towards the far side of the bay.
For those unfamiliar with Cape Town, I hasten to add that the nearest
land across the bay is about 27km distant, and with the high
densities of Peregrines in the SW Cape it seems unlikely that it
could consider the far shores as it's own turf. The offshore waters
of this part of the bay teem with Gannets, WC Petrels, Sooty
Shearwaters (at times), Kelp Gulls, Crested and Common Terns, and
Cape Corm and various other cormorants, not to mention influxes of
various other pelagic species in suitable weather conditions. However
possible it may be for a Peregrine to nail some of the smaller of the
above, I have great difficulty picturing a Peregrine carrying birds
of this size back to the shore from any significant distance out, and
there aint no trees to perch on out there! In contrast, there are
prolific foraging opportunities around the cliffs and mountain slopes
of the Point, ....... so what's that darn bird up to???
In subsequent discussion, Mike Fraser also related seeing Peregrine
chasing pelagic seabirds (sorry, I can't recall the species) in
False Bay, within a km or two of the shore. Barry Rose also tells me
that while he was accompanying fishing trawlers 4-5nm off the west
coast of the bulge of Africa, there were times when the most common
birds in the wake were Yellowbilled Kites and Palmnut Vultures (he
mentioned numbers of 6-7 and 3-4 respectively). I also have heard stories
of European Hobby, Rock Kestrel and Blackshouldered Kite alighting on
ships out of sight of the shore, and of a Barn Owl being seen around
30km offshore.
While the latter stories obviously refer to lost birds, the reference
to raptors, in particular Peregrines, foraging relatively far
offshore is of great interest, and I'd be intrigued to hear of other
stories of similar observations, and any suggestions as to the
possible benefit of such a strategy.
Thanks
John.
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