Perergrine behaviour - is this unusual?

[werdnal]

We have a large clump of fir trees about 150/200 yards from our house. I think they were originally planted about 20 years ago by the local mining company as a screen for one of their waste tips. Woodpigeons come from all over the roost here together every evening, and they seem to grow in number every year.

Several evenings recently I have been out to check on our animals just before dusk, and notice the pigeons were restless, often scattering, then coming back to roost again. I thought they were just arguing amongst themselves for the best roosting spot, but this evening, hubby was outside and witnessed the same pigeon behaviour, and suddenly became aware of a pair of peregrines. The were "buzzing" along the edge of the first trees, spooking the pigeons out and chasing them. We have seen peregrines here regularly, they have even taken some of our pet domestic pigeons in the past, but we have never seen them doing this before. Its like they have discovered a reliable food store and are exploiting it regularly, as I am now convinced that this is what has been happening on the other evenings, but I have just been unaware that the peregrines were causing it! Pigeon take-away anyone? Would anyone say this is unusual behaviour for them, as the only other "kills" we have witnessed have been stoops from a higher level and not pre-meditated "flushing" of prey.

Incidentally, we didn't actually see them catch anything today, but I am plannng on being out there tomorrow around the same time to see if they come back.

[RoyW]

Premeditated flushing is actually a regular, perhaps even the most frequent, hunting method used by Peregrines. Their hunting method, as you know, involves stooping at flying birds from above, and to achieve this they usually fly over areas where potential prey has gathered, and then gain height while watching the flushed birds to select a target.

Sparrowhawks also regularly target roosting birds, but their technique is slightly different. Sparrowhawks are ambush predators that will try and grab prey as, or very soon after, it is flushed (a technique that Peregrines will use occasionally).

[Wild-Woman]

I think your PF will be back. With a supply of food like that it must be like a supermarket for falcons! The behaviour sounds fascinating.

[faz]

i have seen Peregrines doing this with sea birds on cliffs when nesting