While doing the North Fork duck count on January 17th 2008, Linda and I were in the parking lot at the end of first street, New Suffolk, facing south toward North Race and Robins Island. There was an exposed sandbar about 3/4 of the way across.
I was outside the car setting up the scope when I noticed a Peregrine Falcon pass about 40 feet above the car going at break neck speed toward the bar.
Over water it swooped low, just a few inches above the ripples. It looked like a torpedo skimming the surface as it headed toward its target - two birds on the sandbar. One noticed the approaching doom and flew to the right while the other bird seemed lost in thought.
Onward came the falcon and hit the bird on the ground, or just above, like a ton of bricks. A huge puff of white feathers (I think it was a gull) and both birds went tumbling about 20 yards farther on. Suddenly an erie stillness was upon the bay.
I focused my scope on the Falcon and it was already eating it's prey which lay inert, probably killed at once by the impact. As the repast continued bird activity started up again as normal. It's something I won't soon forget.
Remember to get out in the field, It's like lotto. You never know.
By Rick Kedenburg