Snowy Owl vs. Peregrine Falcon

In early December, I had the chance to observe snowy owls at Stone Harbor, New Jersey. While out birding, Sam Galick and I slowly approached an owl on the beach, being careful not to get too close as the bird was alert and seemed to be agitated. Nearby, a pair of adult peregrine falcons perched on driftwood and signposts, looking rather intently at the snowy owl. In a remarkable act of territoriality, one falcon took off from its low perch and raced within a few feet of the ground toward the owl, screaming incessantly as it swept past. While there was no direct contact between the birds, the snowy owl responded by raising its wings and turning frantically to face each of its attacker's dives head-on. Eventually, when the falcon finally left to hunt shorebirds over the mudflats, the owl decided to relocate to a more welcoming stretch of the Jersey Shore. We returned the next day, only to find a different snowy owl roosting on the same stretch of Stone Harbor Beach. This time, both the male and the female peregrine falcon got in on the action, diving so aggressively that the owl was forced to vacate its sand dune perch. and seek shelter along the edge of the marsh across the inlet.