by Romy Ocon
This wonderful photo came about through an amazing series of fortunate events that put the right person at the right place and the right time. The best bird photographer of the Philippines happened to capture a country record in his home province!
Amur Falcon
Falco amurensis
female, migrant
new Philippine country record
Habitat – this individual was seen in grassland/pasture land
Talogtog, San Juan, La Union, Philippines
November 1, 2014
Shooting info – Canon 1D MIV + EF 500 f4 L IS + EF 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, manual exposure in available light, 475B/516 support.
The exciting news on the confirmation of ID came from avian expert Desmond Allen, relayed via PM at PBPF yesterday. The raptor I photographed recently in my home province, which I initially identified as a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), turned out to be something different.
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I am wondering what an Amur Falcon is. The closest name I find in a look at some references is Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus and comparing pictures, yes I think it looks like an immature of one of them (more than most other falcons).
Hi, I didn’t put in the complete details of this sighting. Thanks for pointing that out. I will edit it now. It’s Falco amurensis, the same species that was in the news recently when many of them were massacred in India. The Indian government was able to put a stop to the massacre.
I have written a couple messages about meeting some of you people or going on any birding trip on my upcoming visit there (from Australia) in 2 weeks. I have not received any response. I don’t want to complain but that is very strange to me. Anyone visiting Australia and asking for such help and advice would receive lots of offers and advice.
I posted a reply to your comment about your visit. I said that i posted your message on the club’s egroup. I hope you will receive replies soon! I suppose people are very busy with the holidays. You can also email Mike Lu regarding club trips: myckle224@yahoo.com
Here is a link to an article about the remarkable turnaround by Indian villagers, from hunters to conservationists: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/05/world/asia/falcon-hunters-become-fervent-preservationists-.html?_r=1