Observation date: 10 November 2016
Increased interaction between male and female peregrines has occurred with both north and south side pairs. Things to look for are mates perching closer together, hunting in tandem more often and aerial displays by the male. The latter we have seen in the last week. The tiercel is harassing more birds, mostly Western Gulls. This is what is called “gull splashing.” They are driving them into the bay.
From here on out is the most exciting time of the year and consequentially, I will be writing more about them.
Male and female peregrines bonding Photo by Bob Isenberg
In other news around the rock, we had a grey whale come into the bay, the first observed this year. Full of barnacles and about thirty feet on length, he traveled up Morro Bay to about the Hofbrau Restaurant, turned around and headed out past Coleman Park was observed by many other onlookers along with Heather and me. As he neared the otter colony at Target Rock, a mass of bubbles appeared on the bay. A woman near us said, “He must be feeding.” Soon the bubbles turned to a rosy pink. I commented to her, “I think he is letting us know what he thinks of Morro Bay.”
Happy trails, Bob
Item: The rosy pink is from the krill they eat.
Liked the whale story dad.
We watched it for quite a while as it left the bay! Just posted the story so will tell your father about your “whale” comment. ~Heather
Are the Krill the reason the seagulls are picking on the sea Otters? We have also observed two male seagulls fighting and though my friend went in to breakup the fight, they just ignored her as she swung a sack at them. Never saw them this aggressive.
Very interesting.
So grateful you do this, Bob!
Thanks, Leigh. Bob loves sharing his knowledge of the peregrines with everyone!
~Heather