Peregrine, how far with prey?

[KentYeti]

How far will a Peregrine Falcon fly with prey this time of the year?

I thought they ate where they killed, except in the breeding season.

But on Friday I saw a hawk flying long distance across the Sheppey Marshes carrying prey. Was chatting to Snake and another guy and Snake pointed it out, it was just a distant bird carrying something. My photos were rubbish, (too far away for my 300mm lens), Snake didn't take any but the other guy did. We thought at the time it was a Sparrow Hawk but the other guy had checked overnight and when I saw him yesterday he said it was definitely a Pergrine carrying a Golden Plover.

I can't estimate how far it flew. Didn't see the start or end. But it had to be a long way. Mile or miles springs to mind.

Is that normal for a Peregrine in mid January?

Cheers,

Bryan

[rossy]

think logically, the peregrine isnt going to land on the marsh to eat his prey, so it will take it to somewhere safe, normally they have a plucking point,and as for carrying prey they can travel a fair distance, and a plover wouldnt weigh too much,remember pigeons are their favourite food , and carrying them isnt a problem. and though as you pointed out its january, the bird could be spending winter there, if food is in an abundance. rossy.

[Shrike]

I seen a peregrine catch a curlew sand last year and land nearby to start its dinner , however it was immediately mobbed by crows so had to fly away with crows in pursuit so i imagine it had to lose the crows then find a no-crow zone to enjoy its meal in peace.

[KentYeti]

Originally Posted by rossy

think logically, the peregrine isnt going to land on the marsh to eat his prey, so it will take it to somewhere safe, normally they have a plucking point,and as for carrying prey they can travel a fair distance, and a plover wouldnt weigh too much,remember pigeons are their favourite food , and carrying them isnt a problem. and though as you pointed out its january, the bird could be spending winter there, if food is in an abundance. rossy.

Yetis aren't logical at all!

Sheppey isn't far from being all marsh. At least where the bird was flying.

Maybe he was heading to/near a garden in Leysdown. Or into one of the rather large caravan parks by the sea. But obviously from what has been said, to a favourite plucking point.

Cheers,

Bryan

[RoyW]

I think that you'll have to learn to ask the Peregrines.

Peregrines will eat prey where it is killed (including marshes), especially if they manage to kill large prey which is difficult to carry.
They are more likely to carry the prey off if they are in areas where they don't expect to be left in peace while they are feeding, or if they kill prey somewhere where they don't feel safe.

[Dogghound]

As mentioned they often use favoured plucking/feeding sites. They will feed on some prey where they catch it particularly larger items. However they tend not to like feeding in areas with poor visibility. Such as high ground vegetation like juncus and rank grasses. It is likely that the marsh is largely unsuitable for feeding, so it's moving it to an area of exposed ground or a raised area.