Liftoff from the “waterfall” hole Photo by Cleve Nash
Of the two pair of breeding falcons at Morro Rock, we did get one set of chicks this year 2013, two males and one large female on the north side. The female on the south side in her twelfth season failed to produce any living young this year. She had successfully fledged 25 young in the previous eleven years. To my knowledge, no other bird, male or female, has continuously bred and raised this many young at Morro Rock. All of this has taken place on the south side of Morro Rock using four different eyries. The “diving board,” the “mail slot,” the “waterfall,” and the “lower five.”
Over the previous years, she has had failed nestings in all, but one, the “waterfall” eyrie. But in all of these failed nestings, she has bred, moved to another eyrie and re-clutched, producing at least one young on her second try. That is all, but this year, she failed twice.
Male and female landings Photo by Cleve Nash
The “waterfall hole” is where I found her today with only her head visible, still molting and looking scruffy. There will be a time when she will be replaced by a younger bird in any kind of scenario, but it will happen.
In the years that I have watched the falcons, I have lived through three black labs and a golden retriever and it always hurts to see them pass. I know it will be the same with her.
Happy trails, Bob
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The “waterfall” eyrie is very easy to find. It is a round hole with a long white streak of calcium trailing from it that fills with water from the hole above after a rain in winter. I have frequently seen them bathe in this hole.
“Waterfall” hole Photo by Bob Isenberg
Very interesting, I always look forward to your report. I am at the rock nearly every day and not sharp enough to catch all the drama.
We are so pleased to see that you check in with our website regularly. One of the things that happens is that we see and recognize many people and some we know their name. I’m sure you are a familiar face, but we would very much like to connect your name to your face. Please introduce yourself to Bob. He is there between 10AM and 3PM approximately (give or take a few minutes). ~Heather
Very interesting background info, Bob. I teared up reading about all your dog losses and the anticipated falcon replacement. Makes me wonder if she will fly away or just die on the rock somewhere. I respect you for your years of dedicated devotion to the Peregrine Falcons of Morro Rock. Love your story writing style!
Thank you for your kind and generous compliments. It’s what keeps us going in addition to the desire to share our observations of our Morro Rock peregrines. Bob only began writing in his seventies and has taken great pleasure from it. We are so glad you and others appreciate his efforts. ~Heather