Date: 10/31/26 10:48 am From: Rubba Johanna via slocobirding <jer72701...> Subject: [slocobirding] Prairie Falcon?
Drove north yesterday (Friday) in hopes of seeing Crossbills, but no luck. Visited San Simeon State Park and the Hearst Beach and watched the telephone wires as much as was safe. Strolled the park Boardwalk and the bridge, but no luck. Numerous Yellow--rumped warblers, and a few Buffleheads in the distance on the creek.
Caught sight of a bird on the telephone wire just north of the big bridge north of Cambria, across from the mile post with the number 56. It was a smallish raptor, presenting its front to me. It had very dark "mustaches," Bright yellow feet; the breast was a uniform, clear creamy white, with faint light brown streaking on the sides. The bill was small. It flew a couple of times, but I had trouble keeping up with it through my binoculars. I think its underside in flight was mostly light. I viewed many images of Prairie falcon online, and only a few of the images resemble my sighting.
