The young Western Gulls are coming out of the nests to wander around. The falcons know it. Now and the next few weeks, they are just the right size to kill and carry off. The adult gulls are protective of them, but the falcons will use a technique where one will distract the parent by diving on it. The second falcon close behind grabs a chick in one swoop and carries it off.
Yesterday the south side female was here by herself and made eight passes at two chicks on a bare slope and came up with nothing. All she was able to do was distract the adult gull. Without help she can’t get back fast enough. There will be many more chances.
-Bob
Photo by Cleve Nash
