Alaska field notes, v4426
Page 257
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Stercorarius Pomarinus June 13 flight. After the Owl landed the Jaegers dived at it - sometimes one at a time sometimes together. They never came closer than 1 ft. above the Owl and always dove at it from in front. The owl would reach at the Jaegers with its bill with each dive and would even jump at them. After about 3 minutes the encounter was over. Earlier Jaegers have been observed being chased by Glacuous Gulls. Jaegers also sometimes fly at an Owl that is flying over. Jaegers do not seem to frighten small birds. June 14 A group of about 50 were seen resting on the snow that covers Central Marsh. A few Glacuous Gulls were also in this flock. The flock was loosely organized and the birds were no closer than 5 ft. apart. Another 50 birds were observed in pairs along my route of travel. Once a bird was observed to swoop repeatedly at a male Snowy Owl which had just landed. The Owl jumped up at each swoop and after about two swoops the owl took off and pursued the Jaeger. Several territorial encounters were observed. In one such encounter the ♀ of a pair was seen chasing a ♂ intruder in the air. As she got close she uttered a short yapping note, several times. Her mate followed but did not actively pursue the intruders. A male was seen to mount a crouching ♀ several times. When mounting, he