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Diary - 2001
We begin this
breeding season with what appear to be the same two Peregrines
as
last year, Milli and Rudy. This is a great time of year to see the
Peregrines
in action, so make a point of stopping by and spending
some time observing their behavior.
There is some speculation this year of more than two Peregrines
being around. Roy Burke reports seeing three and four falcons in the
air at once.
Peregrine activity at Morro Rock has been monitored since the
late 1960's. During that time there has not been more than one pair
of falcons living at the Rock. Janet Linthicum of the Santa Cruz
Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG) points out that those were
years of decline in the peregrine population and we can't be sure
what happened before that. However, keeping in mind how territorial
Peregrines
are, it is unlikely that more than one pair is nesting at
the Rock now.
March 8, 2001 - It's been an interesting peregrine day.
This morning Milli was calling constantly, apparently begging to be
fed. Rudy flew in, bringing nothing. There was a copulation, then
about 10 minutes later both Peregrines
took off in pursuit of a
smallish, dark bird. The chase lasted about a minute. At one point
the prey bird led both Peregrines
right between two cars driving
into the south parking lot. Milli captured the bird and took it to a
boulder about 50' off the ground. She immediately began plucking the
prey bird's feathers. Unfortunately, the bird wasn't dead yet and
twice I saw it struggle to get away. The second time Milli put her
left foot firmly onto its body and that was the end of that
argument. She plucked and ate for several minutes, then Rudy came
and took over.
This afternoon I returned to the Rock about 2:30. I was watching
Milli when she took flight, gently dropping straight down to the
parking lot. I was surprised to see her land near a large puddle of
rainwater, about 6" from a western gull and about 10' from me. The
gull flew off immediately. I watched Milli, spellbound.
Milli looked about, looked at me for about 20 seconds, then
walked into the water. She took a few drinks, kept looking at me,
then proceeded to take a short bath. She didn't get too wet, just
took a couple of quick, partial dips, then shook water off her
feathers.
Wow! I sat very still, not even reaching for my glasses, afraid
any movement would scare her off. She was only on the ground a few
minutes, but what a thrill seeing her this close was for me. I was
only able to see her left leg well enough to look for bands - there
is a black band there - then she flew off as a couple came walking
to the edge of the parking lot.
Milli and Rudy have been doing a lot of low level flying lately,
sometimes swooping by just 20' over the ground. She just might give
you a close-up view of her aerial maneuvers when you come out. Be
prepared to duck.
March 18, Sunday - Janet and Brian visited the Rock today
for an afternoon of falcon watching. Brian brought along the scope
he uses to read bands. It was a beautiful, sunny day with excellent
lighting for getting some great views of the birds. Vince and Leslie
were there, as well as another observer. Lots of people stopped to
get a look through the scopes. Good people, perfect weather, and
Peregrines. What more can we ask for?
March 25, Sunday - This message about happenings with the
Peregrines
today was posted by Steve Schubert to the slocobirding
list and is used here with his permission:
"The pair of falcons at the Rock made hunting attacks on at least
four gulls today during more than two hours of observing, once in
tandem as the male and female alternately made spectacular
twisting and turning maneuvers after one gull among all the others
(the gull made an academy award-deserving "Great Escape"
performance). At a later time, both falcons left their perches on
Rock flying in pursuit fast and direct across the water towards
the north end of the sand dunes. The male was in the lead but then
I saw the female strike a large bird, bind to it, and spiral down
vertically to apparently strike the sand with a thud, but it fell
just out of view. The male continued sweeping back and forth low
over the dunes about 15 minutes and harassing turkey vultures and
a red-tailed hawk. I thought the female had perhaps attacked
another intruding female peregrine, and that one or both might be
injured on the ground, so was relieved when the resident female
returned to perch at the Rock 20 minutes later. Jim from the
Harbor Patrol office kindly took me by boat over to the dunes. I
did not find an injured or dead falcon, thankfully, but what had
been attacked and partially consumed was a juvenile gull, with
feathers strewn about. In the vicinity of these low dune flats and
small hillocks were other scattered bird bones and a decapitated
surf scoter skull with neck vertebrae attached, perhaps from
previous feedings here.
April 4, Wednesday - It isn't that I'm being lax in
writing about all of the exciting events with our Peregrines, it's
that there just hasn't been much to report. Both birds are
frequently at the Rock, very often above the south side parking lot,
as is normal this time of year. There is an occasional third
peregrine flying through - usually quickly chased away by the
resident falcons. In fact, there were three falcons in the air
today. As noted above, there has been some speculation that there
are three, even four Peregrines
living at the Rock this year.
Possible, but unlikely. However, with the continuing increase in the
peregrine population throughout the county, it would seem odd if we
didn't see extras around at times.
Milli and Rudy started serious mating activities in mid-February.
She and Rudy both frequent the diving-board hole and others close
by, but seldom stay for more than a few minutes. For a while in
mid-March copulations seemed to stop and Milli was spending a lot of
time in the diving board hole. That only lasted for a week or so.
But during the last few days copulations have begun again in
earnest. Whatever is going on, your guess is as good as mine.
One point of interest is that Milli and Rudy seem to be
specializing in western gulls for meals. I have personally observed
three being killed by both Peregrines
in cooperative hunting
maneuvers over the end of the sand spit; Steve Schubert's account
above details a gull being taken by both falcons. Another observer
witnessed a similar killing. Then there is the peregrine feasting on
a gull at Baywood Elementary School and another reportedly being
eaten on the beach in Baywood Park. I've seen both Peregrines
grab
violet-green swallows from the air at Morro Rock, so all their meals
aren't junk food. Are gulls the peregrine equivalent of Burger King?
Fast, convenient, but not all that tasty. hhmmm Has anyone
ever cooked a gull? Maybe they are tastier than they would seem to
be.
April 21, Saturday - Still no sign of nesting activity,
but breeding continues. Observers continue to see gulls being taken
by the Peregrines, usually over the sand spit. I saw Milli grab a
medium-sized shore bird a few mornings ago; that afternoon I saw her
take a western gull. Two days ago she and Rudy were already dining
on a gull when I arrived at 7:30 in the morning.
This is pure speculation on my part, but I'm wondering, given the
length of time the falcons have been mating and the lateness of the
season, if Milli didn't at one time have some eggs laid and
something happened to them. Maybe they were broken, perhaps a
rainstorm filled the scrape with water. Perhaps they are double
clutching. Again, just a guess.
May 2, Wednesday - For the last four days there has been a
change in the activities with our birds. On Sunday Milli was on the
south side of the Rock above the parking lot far less often. Rudy
was making fewer appearances also. Following the sound of echupping
around the Rock, I discovered a peregrine perched in the pothole
above the fence at the Duke outlet on the north side of the Rock.
In continuing to monitor that area, I have become convinced that
the Peregrines
have eggs in that pothole. Today a peregrine was in
the pothole continually. When I first arrived, she had just flown
out of the pothole and chased a vulture, hitting it a couple of
times as it retreated north towards the beach. Then, about 10:45am,
I witnessed what appeared to be an standard incubation exchange. A
tiercel flew in, a falcon flew out. She flew around toward the west
side of the Rock and was gone for approximately 10 minutes. When she
returned, she went back into the pothole and the tiercel flew out.
He then took a couple of quick flights across the face of the Rock.
In the previous days, the falcons had taken half-hearted dives at
the occasional gull, but otherwise were amazingly tolerant of their
many, many neighbors. All that changed today. The tiercel, in
particular, was aggressive in chasing many gulls. Mostly he would
sweep across the face of the Rock, scattering dozens of gulls as he
went. Several times he picked one unfortunate gull in a more
specific chase.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few days.
Needless to say, you will more likely find me parked in a different
spot for now. Be sure and email any observations you would like to
share to me at allthatrazz@gmail.com.
May 6, Sunday - This evening Steve Schubert saw food being
taken into the pothole we have been watching on the north side of
the Rock. Under normal circumstances I'd say "babies." Let's hold
off a few days on that sort of announcement. For now, the aggressive
chasing of gulls continues, as does our watching.
May 7, Monday - Again this morning we observed food being
taken into the aerie
, this time by the female. From getting a better
look at both of these birds, I'm pretty certain they are both new to
the Rock. The male has quite a bit of barring and, according to
Steve, doesn't have a band on one leg; both Milli and Rudy have a
band on each leg. This female looks to me to be darker than Milli.
Again, time will sort everything out.
Janet, Brian Latta, and Brian Walton came down from Santa Cruz
with a couple of others this afternoon to check out what's
happening. They weren't able to stay long, but did have the
opportunity to observe two birds on both the north and south side of
the Rock at the same time. Though no chicks have appeared at the
pothole entrance, we have every reason to believe there are babies
there. We continue to see food being brought into the aerie
and both
parents are aggressively defending the area.
May 9, Wednesday - Brian Latta will be climbing Morro Rock
next Monday morning with the intent to band chicks on the north
side. Some of our local falcon enthusiasts will be helping out by
carrying supplies for Brian. Come on out and observe. The plan is to
meet in the north parking lot at 8:00 am.
John Edmiston, a local falconer, reports four eyasses - two
falcons and one tiercel (he couldn't tell for sure on the other) -
rock hopping around the Avila site. He says if they aren't fledged
yet, they will be very soon. The Shell Beach Peregrines
have fledged
three eyasses - two falcons and one tiercel.
May 10, Thursday - YES! Good news! Tonight at 7:45 pm,
devoted Peregrine Falcon
watcher Roy Burke and I saw a beautiful
white chick peer out from the edge of the aerie
! It was so exciting.
We were just about to give up for the night, but stayed to watch a
last bit of gull chasing. Earlier we had thought we heard baby
noises coming from inside the pothole, but with all the other
distracting noises around, couldn't be certain. Anyway, the falcon
flew in with what looked to be something in her talons. She landed
on the left side of the aerie
, sat there for a few minutes. When she
flew away Roy and I thought she had left a white prey item on the
ledge. But then it moved! Quickly grabbing our binoculars, we were
rewarded with our first view of a chick. We'll be watching closely
the next few days to see if there are more. Hope to see you there.
May 11, Friday - A second chick made its appearance today.
As the family grows, so does the number of observers. Some come from
hearing about what's going on; others just happen to be in the area
and find the sounds and peregrine activities hard to miss. The adult
Peregrines
are very busy bringing in food. When not hunting, feeding
the young, or making brief rest stops, they are clearing the north
side of the Rock of gulls. All in all, an exciting time for falcon
watchers.
May 12, Saturday - And then there were three. That's
right. Three fluffy white chicks sitting near the edge of the aerie
.
I'm holding out for four, but what a thrill to have three. The
chicks were seen flapping their wings and appear to have pin
feathers; Brian says he's guessing them to be about 21 - 22 days
old.
Photo of the northeast face of Morro Rock, highlighting the aerie
,
sent to us by Don and Pat Mallich.
May 14, Monday - This morning Brian Latta climbed Morro
Rock with four assistants - Vince Cicero and Mike Walgren of State
Parks, Steve Schubert, and Mike Baird. Brian rappelled down the
north face of the Rock to the aerie
. Once there, he found and banded
three chicks - two females and one male. As you might imagine, both
adult Peregrines
(currently being referred to as "Xena" and "Zephyr"
by some of the regular watchers) were quite agitated about this
invasion into their aerie
. They put on quite a show as they swept
back and forth across the face of the Rock, loudly objecting to
Brian's presence. Within forty-five minutes of his having completed
his task and climbing back up to the top of the Rock, both Xena and
Zephyr were back to tending their babies.
When Brian goes up to band chicks, he also collects some of the
contents of the aerie
. Examination of these items adds to their
database of knowledge about the Peregrines. This time he came down
with a bag full of the usual prey remains and feathers along with
one Wilson's warbler. The little thing was captured but never eaten.
The morning was enjoyable for the crowd of people who gathered to
watch and quite successful for the climbers. Thank you to all who
participated or came out to lend their enthusiastic support. Brian
promises photos of the youngsters soon; check back to see them.
There will also be photos and links from others. The photos will be
available here as soon as they become available.
Xena
Photo Courtesy Mike Baird
May 15, Tuesday - Our chicks are quickly changing from
their fluffy down to some gray feathers. Today they were visible at
the edge of the aerie
quite often. Jack Morehead reports watching
one chick sitting out in the open, vocalizing quite loudly for about
15 minutes today. Looks as if those new bracelets have caused them
to step forward and show off a bit.
May 16, Wednesday -
Dr. Curt Beebe, docent extraordinaire with the Morro Bay Museum of
Natural History will be at the Rock's main parking lot this coming
Sunday morning from 9:00 to 10:00. He will have the museum's 8"
Celestron telescope aimed at the peregrine aerie
. Everyone is
invited to come out for a truly close-up look at the Xena and
Zephyr's youngsters. See you there.
Above a view of the top of Morro Rock. Courtesy of Vince Cicero. (Click
on photo for larger image.)
 During the climb to band this year's chicks, Steve Schubert took some
photos and shares them with you here. Click on any image to see the
enlarged version.
May 20, Sunday - Thanks to Richard Rowlett, member of the
NOAA/NMFS Gray Whale Survey at Pt. Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, I got
to spend a few hours at the lighthouse this morning. Richard had
invited me to check out the peregrine chicks hatched by in an aerie
about 150' up on the rock just off-shore. The morning was pretty
foggy, but was clear enough to allow a peek at three chicks that
appear to be perhaps a few days younger than the Morro Rock eyasses.
Richard tells me the peregrine adults are quite protective and
consider humans walking around near the lighthouse to be intruders.
They aggressively buzz anyone brave enough to be out in the open
once their youngsters fledge. Sounds like a great show to me.
What an incredible setting for observing Peregrines! The area is
covered in wildflowers this time of the year. The only sounds heard
are surf, wildlife, and the occasional human voice. Whales pass by
very close to shore, otters float in the kelp beds, and sea lions
leap out of the ocean chasing down breakfast. In the midst of it
all, beautiful proof that the peregrine recovery program has been
artfully and successfully played out.
Our own chicks are about a week away from fledging. It is always
amazing to see how quickly they shed their white down, gain their
juvenile feathers, grow to be the size of adults, and begin
exercising their wings. Already there is very little down showing on
them.
May 21, Monday - After spending the last couple of weeks
convincing us that he was the shy, more slowly maturing one, Baby T
(tiercel) added a bit of excitement to our youngster watch by
proving to be just the opposite. In the early evening he was spotted
outside of the aerie
, having ventured off to our right on a narrow
ledge. There he was, flapping his wings and teetering on the edge,
causing our group of observers to hold our collective breath with
each movement. Baby T's sisters seemed to be watching with great
interest, and one appeared to be heading his way at one point, but
Xena flew in with food and distracted them all.
It's difficult to do much of a comparison at this point, but it
looks as if Baby T is darker and, of course, smaller than his
sisters.
There is much wing flapping going on with all three of the
eyasses along with what appears to be a considerable amount of
scratching. I guess shedding all those feathers creates an itch.
It's difficult to miss all of the noise from this family now. The
babies have a lot to say, especially when they see food being
delivered. Xena has taken to sitting above the aerie
about 4',
keeping a watchful eye on her chicks as they prepare for the first
flight.
May 24, Thursday - After a rather uneventful morning, our
youngsters had a surprise for observers in the late afternoon. All
three have taken to exploring the ridged area to our right of the
aerie
. It was rather interesting to watch them being oh so wary of
taking tiny steps down the ridges, knowing that in just a couple of
days they are likely to take that giant first step that leads to
flight.
Around 6:45 Xena seemed to be enticing her babies to fly. All of
the eyasses were sitting outside the aerie
on the ridges when Xena
flew in carrying a fairly good sized prey item. She went into the
aerie
, but immediately flew back out, still carrying it. The chicks
had gotten quite excited when they saw her coming in with food and
were vocalizing excitedly. Xena circled in front of the chicks,
calling a sort of "kik kik kik" sound. She made broader sweeps
across the fact of the Rock. After about 15 minutes she flew back
into the aerie
. Baby T and one of his sisters quickly hopped back
into the aerie
to be fed; the other sister spent several minutes
cautiously trying to negotiate her way down the ridges. When Xena
flew out of the aerie
after feeding her chicks, she landed very
close by and stayed there until after sunset.
On a side note, I spent 45 minutes on the south side of the Rock
communing with Milli. Perhaps she was taking a break from
nest-sitting duty and giving Rudy a chance to show his parenting
abilities.
Dr. Curt Beebe will be at the Rock's main parking lot this coming
Sunday morning (May 27) from 9:00 to 10:00. He will have the
museum's 8" Celestron telescope aimed at the peregrine aerie
.
Everyone is invited to come out for a truly close-up look at the
Xena and Zephyr's youngsters and all the action. We just might be
lucky enough to be watching when one of the chicks fledges.
May 26, Saturday - This morning at 8:00 Don and Pat
Mallich, Leslie, and I were watching as one of the Morro Rock
youngsters hopped, scratched, and flapped its way to an area about
10' above the aerie
. This would have been fun except for the fact
the chick was headed directly toward a gull nest. The eyass had just
reached the level of the gulls when one of the flew at him, grabbed
him (it looked as if by the neck), then dropped him into the crevice
just to the right of the section of rock the aerie
is on.
Don was observing through his scope and had the best look. I was
watching through my binoculars. Pat and Leslie watched without
binoculars or scopes. We were all horrified at the way the chick
flopped awkwardly to the ground out of our view.
We all quickly moved to try and get a better view for finding the
chick. Other peregrine watchers gathered. It is quite difficult to
make anything out in the cracks, crevices, and plants, but it was
felt that what could be a chick was spotted.
We watched for a couple of hours, hoping for the best, but were
beginning to feel sure the chick was dead. Two of its siblings were
in the aerie
and vocalized loudly when Xena brought in food. We
listened for vocalizations from outside the aerie
, but heard none.
Imagine our surprise and relief when about 15 minutes later
Zephyr flew by and suddenly there were three chicks on the edge of
the aerie
. At some point the attacked eyass had managed to climb its
way back up to the ridge and into the aerie
.
All is well as of noon today. Three babies are about ready to
fledge with two parents in attendance.
Steve Schubert spent some time on the ocean side of the Rock this
morning and is gaining confidence that Milli and Rudy are nesting in
a large cave there. Time will tell.
Saturday Evening - Baby T seems to have been given a name
- "Aries." Aries is definitely the most adventerous of the three
youngsters. He was the first to venture out onto the ridge to the
right of the aerie
. This evening he took off to the right and headed
up. He seemed to be trying to figure out how to get up to Xena, who
was perched in her usual spot above the aerie
about 5'. Aries never
made it that far, choosing in the end to leap back into the aerie
from a small lip just above it. I'm betting he's the first to
fledge, with his sisters watching, one saying to the other, "See, I
told you he was nuts!"
May 27, Sunday - On a personal note, I will be moving from
Morro Bay to the Seattle, Washington area in a few days. I would
like to thank Sandra and Curt Beebe and Mike and Heidi Baird for
organizing a surprise goodbye gathering for me that was held this
morning at Morro Rock. Those who gathered are among the many dear
friends I will miss greatly. We have spent almost 10 years getting
to know each other and watching the Peregrines
together. Thank you
all for making my time here in Morro Bay a special period of my life
and for attending the gathering so we could say some goodbyes.
May 29, Tuesday - All three chicks fledged this morning,
officially leaving their babyhood behind. One of the females was the
first to launch herself from the aerie
, doing so before I arrived at
7:30. Jean Wheeler stuck around all morning and reports that the
third chick fledged around 11:30. One very cool thing about the last
one taking flight - Jean had just helped a new observer see her very
first peregrine and right before her eyes it leapt off the cliff and
flew! How lucky this woman was. How many of us are ever fortunate
enough to be around for such an event?
So, we have three fledglings in the air along with their parents
and occasional visits from Milli and Rudy. Congratulations to Xena
and Zypher are in order. They did good. Interesting watching for
everyone.
June 3, Sunday - Roy and Ella Burke have been noticing some interesting activity
at the Rock. It seems Xena and Zephyr have taken to hunting and
displaying their flying prowess right over the parking lot and have
been exhibiting some awesome aerial displays. It also looks as if
perhaps Milli and Rudy are showing themselves on the north side in
Xena and Zephyr's territory.
Steve Schubert and John Edmiston (a wonderful falconer friend who
was essential in supplementing the diets of our 1999 foster chicks)
took a tour of local peregrine nesting sites. Steve reports three
fledglings at Diablo Cove. This has been a great year for Peregrines
on the SLO coast.
June 7, Thursday - A group of intrepid peregrine watchers
- Curt and Sandra Beebe, Mike Baird, and Mary Leizear - spent an
hour today on the ocean side of the Rock looking for any signs of
Milli and Rudy nesting there. August Phillips took the group out on
his 28' boat, "The El Moro Dory." Unfortunately their quest turned
up no evidence nesting. Visit Mike Baird's web site by clicking
here to see photos of the trip. This doesn't mean Milli
isn't nesting, but we were hoping for a more positive result.
Meanwhile, Vince Cicero sends along this photo of Xena and
Zephyr's brood (whom he insists on referring to as "Larry," "Mo,"
and "Curly"). Click on the image to see a larger version (82k).
Vince and Leslie report seeing all three juveniles out and about
looking "healthy and frisky."
Milli
Photo courtesy Sandra and Curt Beebe
June 24, Sunday - Last week Steve Schubert noted that he continues to see what could be
nesting activity by Milli and Rudy on the ocean side of the Rock. If
you're interested in checking this out, he says you have to observe
from the breakwater or from a boat. Be sure and let us know if you
see anything.
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