North side fledglings…

Observation date:  2 Jun 2016

Early view of first chick – May 14, 2016                                               Photo by Cleve Nash

Here’s the second chick                                               Photo by Cleve Nash

Although nesting on the south side of Morro Rock failed this year, we do have three young peregrine falcons that fledged on the north side.

Introducing the young falcons – May 27, 2016                                        Photo by Cleve Nash

The first taking flight was the 26th of May. Two of the young flew early that morning, the last one late in the afternoon.

There appears to be one male and two females, judging by their size. As soon as the young birds fledge it is straight to the nursery. This is a bowl shaped structure on the far left end off the north side of the rock some 300 yards from the nest site and protected from wind.

In the nursery                                                                 Photo by Cleve Nash

They will be here for a couple of weeks before venturing out to the sand spit and around the bay usually returning to the nursery, but not as frequently. The nest site is no longer used.

All of the chicks have the large cheek patch like the mother and none have the full black hood of the father, however this could change after the first molt next year.

Incoming parent with captured prey                                                       Photo by Cleve Nash

The adults bringing in  five birds in a four and a half hour period that I observed.

Delivery of nourishment Photo by Cleve Nash

The mother baits the young by flying close to and over them with prey trying to get them to fly up and take it from her in mid-air.

Parental attention to feeding is so careful                                                     Photo by Cleve Nash

This we have observed twice. Most of the time the parents just land beside the young, who fight amongst themselves to see who gets the tasty morsel.

Happy trails, Bob

Item: The first baby Western gulls have made their appearance in the talons of the female falcon.