Peregrine Falcons at Montaña de Oro Update

Peregrine Falcon juvenile (2008 photo by Mike Baird) fledged on Morro Rock in Morro Bay Calif.  Morro Rock is approximately 10 miles north of Montaña de Oro (MdO).  The Morro Rock Peregrine could be related to one of our MdO Peregrines.

Now it is 26 days after the Peregrine Falcon posting of April 2nd - The question whether the Peregrines will nest in the Smuggler's Cove cliff site at MdO remains unanswered.  This morning at 10:21 there were no Peregrines in sight.  At 10:42 the pair arrived. The lonely male (below) went into the possible nesting site; after a few minutes he perched in the opening. 

The female, who appeared to be preening, was located (below) in the mating, feeding area (see post of April 2)  http://birdingthecentralcoast.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-peregrine-falcons-have-arrived.htm

Peregrine Falcons generally reach breeding maturity at two years of age.  Since the MdO female is a sub-adult and not fully mature, her chances of producing fertile eggs and nesting are slim.  But I continue to have hope that our pair of Peregrines will raise a family.

The Peregrine pair on the north side of Morro Rock began incubation on March 12th.  And the Peregrine pair on the south side of the Morro Rock had yet to nest as of the 12th.  Perhaps delayed nesting is not that unusual and eventually the MdO pair will nest in the not too distant future.
             Stay tuned for the next episode.

For info on the Peregrines of Morro Rock go to  http://pacificcoastperegrinewatch.org/

The Peregrine Falcons Have Arrived

 Montaña de Oro State Park Ca - Smuggler's Cove

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the fastest member of the animal kingdom.

Two weeks ago at Smuggler's Cove overlook, rover friend Sara with her husband Gary, observed two Peregrine Falcons.  An adult Peregrine had just brought food to a younger Peregrine that appeared to be a juvenile.   (* Note -  To be technically correct only the female is called a Falcon.  The male Peregrine is called a tiercel, which means "one-third" because the male is 1/3 smaller than the female.)
 
 Photo of the Peregrines taken by Gary O’Neill.  Since the top Falcon had adult plumage and the lower, typical juvenile plumage, I took it upon myself to assume the lower bird, that was being fed by an adult, was an older juvenile, particularly due to its size and flying ability.  I was quite certain the two Peregrines were a female adult and a juvenile, with gender to be determined.  (Birding hint - Never Assume)

After observing the Peregrines several times, I was in a total kerfuffle as to gender, so I dashed off an email, with photos, to a friend whom I recently learned had published a book on “The Peregrine Falcons of Morro Rock.”  From his reply I learned that the dark bird was an adult male, not a female, and the lighter colored bird with the horizontal stripes was not a juvenile, it was a sub-adult female, not fully molted to adult plumage. 

Viewing larger images of the photos is suggested.  Above annotated photo, viewed from left to right - nest, perch,  eating and mating area.  Below photo by Gary - sub-adult female in perch hole.

Today, 9:00 am. the fog had lifted, the morning was beautiful.  As I approached the overlook the male was flying in with food for the female who was vocalizing as he approached.  After handing off the food, he perched nearby.  Birds are the Peregrine's primary source of food.

Eventually she flew up to the aerie (nest), and he flew to the eating area to have a brief snack. (next two photos by Gary) When he left, she returned.  They mated three times in an hour.  Handing off food vocalizing, and frequent mating are part of the courtship ritual - mating is for life.

Eventually the Peregrine pair flew to the nest site.  In the photo below the female is inside, the male is facing her.  They are vocalizing and bowing to each other which is part of the courtship ritual.  The female, 1/3 larger than the male, is the dominant member of the relationship. 

 A few moments later she left the nest site for a perch on the buff.  (below photo) The next moment they were in flight, headed north - joining them was another Peregrine Falcon.  The male has no tolerance for interlopers in the vicinity of his nest.

Male at nest empty nest site (below photo by Gary).  Perhaps, the next time I visit Smuggler's Cove, the nest will be occupied with a brooding female.  I can hardly wait for the next episode - - - - To be continued. . . .

PEREGRINE FALCON REHABILITATED

Yesterday I had the pleasure of participating in the release of a rehabilitated juvenile, female Peregrine Falcon. The Peregrine was found on the sandspit on June 26; one of her wings had been broken. She was rehabilitated by Jeri Roberts' at her raptor rehab center. Peregrine photo by Mike Baird. It is not the bird that was released, but could be kin.

Arrangements had been made with the Morro Bay Harbor Patrol to take the Peregrine to the area where she had been found. Jeri arrived with the Peregrine in a cooler, which was just the right size to keep the raptor confined but safe. One end is wire. The ride to the sandspit was delightful. No wind. The Peregrine exited the carrier with great power and soared across the bay. There was some speculation that she was one of the four Peregrines that fledged on the south side of Morro Rock this year. For your viewing pleasure have a less than a minute vide of the experience.  http://youtu.be/M0aC3V7fWAc

BIRDING HERE AND THERE

In the last few days have seen three species of Falcon - Peregrine, Merlin, American Kestrel. This morning spoke with Bob (Peregrine Falcon Expert) at Morro Rock. He said the Falcons are mating several times a day. As I stood looking at the rock looking for a Peregrine, the male, at Mock speed, flew over my head. Bob said the male strafes the gulls which makes them dive under water.

The Merlin was on a Eucalyptus Branch in Sweet Springs, perhaps eying the sandpipers that were feeding in wet sand as the tide receded. It had been several years since I had seen one; I was thrilled to see this little beauty.

The American Kestrel, out smallest Falcon, was perched on a fence post in the open space area of Laguna Lake (photo). I often stop by there on the way to Trader Joe's. The morning was glorious. Horses were quietly grazing on the trail (photo). They did not even look up as I passed. In the vast fields were flocks of Meadowlarks; their white outer tail feathers flashed as they fluttered about the tall grass.
On the way to Trader Joe's, directly after the Costco/Home Depot shopping area is a field which usually has horses or cattle grazing. This morning, as I sped by, I saw what I thought were geese. When traffic allowed, I turned around and pulled off by a private road that goes into the property. Definitely, Snow Goose; they were going down a berm and out of sight. Slowly I edged along the private road to get a closer look as to were they were going, and there, in a depression was a pond with Snow Goose, Canada Goose, and many Northern Shoveler. I felt like I had found the goose that laid the golden egg.
(caution to novice birders - birding while driving can be hazardous to your health)