Two Gyrfalcons East Chilliwack Dec 21

[Gord]

This afternoon while passing through East Chilliwack I saw two falcons at Banford and McGuire Road interacting together. As they got closer my suspicions that they are Gyrfalcons was confirmed and I could see both were juvenile birds. They were not fighting but seemed to be more playing around. They flew around a stand of trees, hassled a Bald Eagle then flew together towards the mountains to the south where I lost track of them. I've never seen this before nor have I watched two at one time.







These guys were in our Christmas Bird Count area! They must have been hiding in the fog.

Adding to Jonathan's count week birds was a Mew Gull (also in our area) and a couple thousand gulls I didnt stop to check out and a good Western Gull at first light out on Sumas Central.

Good birding all.

[stengar]

Gord nice found. Now with your two immature,the adult at Marion and one immature from Sumas Prairie, posted on birding BC, we are possible having four Gyrfalcon in your area. A very good year. I think the chance to have another adult is very good. Last year there were at least two adult, one immature.

Raymond

[Chris]

Goods finds Gord.

I agree with Raymond that there would be 4 in the area unless the juvenile in Sumas Prairie moved locations. I had the adult one in Sumas Prairie on the 20th. Might be one or more on the north side of the river too, Mission to Agassiz.

[nickinthegarden]

The Gyrfalcon is becoming a nemesis bird for me I have travelled the Prairie at least a dozen times looking for it and no luck. I have had the opportunity to see some interesting birds during that time but I would still like to see it. I have focused my efforts around Marion at the Accountant's place and travelled out from there. I guess it is a case of right place right time. Perhaps it is time to put my efforts in somewhere else and it might show up unexpectedly. I wonder if the one that had been at the Grain Terminal in Vancouver in past years has come back this year.