Peregrine Falcons of Morro Rock

You can contact me by clicking here: Judy Sullivan

 

The University of California at Santa Cruz has completely restructured the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. There is no point in going into detail here, but the folks who saved our Peregrines need a little help themselves now. Read this from Janet Linthicum and consider what you can do to help.

Peregrine Falcons have held our fascination throughout history. Egyptians worshiped them as gods and drawings of Falcons are found in hieroglyphs.

"The Falcon has been worshipped from earliest times as a cosmic deity whose body represents the heavens and whose eyes represent the sun and the moon."

Mysteries of Egypt Site (no longer online)

Today Peregrines are prized by Falconers as the best bird for their sport, are sought out for observation, are the subject of television programs, are used as symbols for businesses, are protected by state and federal laws, and are loved by people the world over. Find out more about this fascinating bird of prey by clicking on What's So Special About This Bird Anyway?

Get a quick rundown on physical characteristics, hunting techniques, procreation, and the recovery from being an endangered species by going to Peregrine Behaviors. 

There are some neat photos from the Department of Fish and Game taken during the successful 1977 Peregrine fostering attempt at Fostering Chicks at Morro Rock  - 1977.

The Peregrine Falcon has been removed from the federal Endangered Species list, but it is still protected by state and federal laws. Click on Laws Protecting Peregrine Falcons for more information.

Each year an informal Diary is kept of what's happening during breeding season. The diary is a good way to plan your visits. After all, who wants to miss watching fuzzy white chicks peek out at us?  

While the Peregrine population has made a wonderful comeback, there aren't many places where you can easily see them. We are blessed in Morro Bay with being able to watch our Peregrines throughout the year. They often nest and raise their young right where we can sit back and enjoy the show. If you are in Morro Bay and want to see a Peregrine, click on Spotting the Peregrines at Morro Rock for some tips.

The Peregrine recovery in California is due mostly to the ban on the pesticide, DDT, and the efforts of the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG). Working closely with many agencies, interest groups, volunteers, and other individuals, they have coordinated the return of the Peregrine Falcon throughout the state. Find out more about the people who made the recovery of the Peregrine Falcon possible by clicking on The Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group.

And finally, if you still haven't had enough, check out some of the many other web sites dedicated to Peregrines on the Favorite Predatory Bird Links page.

A dear friend, Harold Wieman, wrote this and I want to share it with you. It's a good thought to keep in mind.

"It is very good for the locol folk to see someone was ecstatic over the seagull soaring in the breeze or a great blue heron coasting across the sunset or brown pelicans flying perfect formation. We need to be reminded again and again by the tourist what it is like to see something of beauty for the first time; an object of beauty should have nothing taken away from it just because it is commonplace."

We miss you, Harold and Pat.

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Will James Sooter 

History of Morro Rock Falcons

Steve Schubert's detailed and fascinating paperback book, "The Falcons of Morro Rock - A 40-Year History - 1967 - 2007" is recently updated and now available through Amazon.com or CreateSpace.com.

Hi Mountain Condor Lookout

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Peregrine photo on banner and at upper left of page by Cleve Nash.