I saw the same type of activity with a black-bellied plover and a peregrine at Jekyll Island.  The plover was not as lucky.
thanks
diane reed
st. augustine. fl

-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Rycenga <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, 9 Aug 2005 17:19:25 -0700
Subject: [SHOREBIRDS] Swimming Spotted Sandpiper


I've been enjoying this list so far.  I thought I would forward this message
(with permission) from a birder who is not yet on the list.  This seemed an
interesting behavior to me.  How many shorebird species can swim underwater
to avoid avian dive-bombing predators?

Jennifer Rycenga
Half Moon Bay, CA
----------
From: "Ken Burton" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2005 12:35:27 -0700

I was paddling on Stone Lagoon (Humboldt County) this morning when a SPOTTED
SANDPIPER took off along the shoreline ahead of me.  A PEREGRINE FALCON
appeared and gave chase, forcing it out over the water.  When the falcon got
too close, the sandpiper dove into the water and submerged.  The falcon
began circling.  Every time the sandpiper came up for air and tried to swim
back to shore, looking quite phalarope-like and calling piteously, the
falcon swooped in and forced it back down, apparently trying to tire it
enough to pluck it from the water.  This went on for several minutes, with
the sandpiper making slow progress but clearly running out of steam.



<long digital pause inserted here to heighten suspense>



Ultimately, the sandpiper did make it back to shore under the cover of some
overhanging vegetation.

Ken Burton
McKinleyville

P.S. from Jennifer - there's a new tongue-twister in here: Swimming Spotted
Sandpiper Speeds Safely to Safety!