Wildwestbirds

Peregrine Falcon at Mesilla State Park

2016 is continuing to be a good birding year at the Mesilla State Park in New Mexico USA. Another distinguished raptor has made its appearance. This time we have a Juvenile male Peregrine. The agile falcon actually flew over my shoulder whist I was photographing a pair of House Finches (right) performing a ritual feeding ceremony part of their pair building display. The falcon made a quick assessment of the situation. - As I was manoeuvring to get the sun it the optimal position for a photograph. An effective method I have developed: is to walk away from my subject, but, towards the sun at about 45 degrees, this puts the light behind me when I turn back towards the intended photographic subject. This then provides good light or improves the lighting considerably, and, with a fair chance of not scaring the creature away. - The falcon could see that the finches were distracted by my presence and movement. Seizing the opportunity the raptor flew down and up, coming out of the sun, unseen. The best possible tactic for catching its prey - The finches got away! The falcon is still learning...

Peregrine watching from power cable mast © Richard Anderton

The Rio Grande bordering the State Park to the east is a good habitat for wintering shorebirds (waders) there are numbers of these on the river also small numbers of duck

The river is a good habitat for wintering shorebirds

Least Sandpiper

Approximately 40 Wood Duck

and regular visits from Belted Kingfisher. In January about 40 Wood Duck could be seen on and along the Rio Grande. Other duck species are Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, and Green-winged Teal. There are also 1 or 2 American Pipits (a small passerine) to be found along the river on this side of the park.