Champions of the Flyway!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Peregrine vs. Dunlin

Cruising overhead, scouting for lunch

We're lucky to have a pair of Peregrines breeding locally, which can often be seen over the town or along the coast in pursuit of prey; a couple of days ago whilst surveying from the clifftop, I had the camera to hand while the drama unfolded.... (as ever, click on photos to enlarge)

Having found a target, the vertical stoop begins....

Bulleting into the bay, with Speeton Cliffs as a backdrop

A change of speed and direction as it reached the beach below, and into a horizontal final approach...

Narrowly avoiding various holidaymakers, and almost within reach of the target, a summer plumage Dunlin...

Within centimetres and seemingly game over....

But the Dunlin (the smudge, above) makes a miraculous escape at the last.....

.....and the Peregrine is forced to consider alternative options