The Behavior and Ecology of Fall Peregrine Falcons at Lummi Bay and Vicinity, Whatcom County, Washington

Biological Assessment on Impacts to Peregrine Falcons

“…Despite this limited use of the sea pond for raising salmon, it appears this diked off area may also have produced unexpected benefits to waterfowl. Rafts of several thousand ducks are now regularly observed in the sea pond during the fall and winter (Anderson, 1984). The dike surrounding the sea pond appears to provide a wind break, thus making the sea pond a calm area of refuge during storms.…”

“…The dike also serves the same function for the northern portion of Lummi Bay, making it calmer during storms originating from the southwest than it was prior to constructon of the dike. The sea pond is not only important to waterfowl during storms but also at other times as a place to feed and rest (Anderson, 1984). At the present time, any individual can drive or walk along the entire length of the dike.…”

“…These are surprisingly large numbers of falcons for an area as small as Lummi Bay and the surrounding lands. In fact, the area is believed to support the highest density of wintering raptors in western Washington (Anderson, 1984).…”

“…Waterfowl and shorebirds constitute the primary source of prey for peregrines migrating and wintering in western Washington (Anderson and DeBruyn, 1979). Also, out of 122 hunting flights of peregrines observed by Anderson (1984), 102 of the prey pursued by the falcons were waterfowl or shorebirds. Anderson (1984) observed 42 peregrine kills, of which 34 were either waterfowl or shorebirds, consisting of green-winged teal (31 percent of all kills), mallard, greater scaup, lesser scaup (unidentified ducks, 29 percent of kills), dunlin (12 percent of all kills), and American golden plover.…”

“…Also, out of 122 hunting flights of peregrines observed by Anderson (1984), 102 of the prey pursued by the falcons were waterfowl or shorebirds. Anderson (1984) observed 42 peregrine kills, of which 34 were either waterfowl or shorebirds, consisting of green-winged teal (31 percent of all kills), mallard, greater scaup, lesser scaup (unidentified ducks, 29 percent of kills), dunlin (12 percent of all kills), and American golden plover. The other prey items were one each of pied-billed grebe, horned grebe, ringbilled gull, red-winged blackbird, and four unidentified birds.…”