Observation date: 4 December 2016
In the previous five or six years, I have written about “Doris,” a solitary adult female peregrine, that has wintered here in nearby Baywood Park. The last time she was observed was 3 January 2014 by a family from Massachusetts. She stayed through March according to Cleve. I wrote about sending them over to see her. The title was “Massachusetts please reply…”.
Last week, Cleve Nash, our local photographer extraordinaire, stopped by the little coffee shop in Baywood for a cup and who flies in to the old cypress tree, but “Doris.” These two were old friends. I’m sure she recognized Cleve just as he did her. He has hundreds of photos of her! We don’t know where she has wintered the last two seasons, but we welcome her return.
“Doris” Photo by Cleve Nash
As of other news around Morro Rock, bonding continues, but no sign of breeding activities as yet. Once we see courtship flights which we have not seen as of this writing, breeding will soon start.
Happy trails, Bob
Item: Doris’s name was derived from the eucalyptus tree that she perched in at the corner of Doris and Mitchell Streets. This tree was her alternate perch about a mile away from the cypress tree at the coffee shop.
THANK YOU so much for posting this beautiful picture I hope you don’t mind if I send it to family and friends in the UK where I was born, I now live in San Luis Obispo and a serious photographer and have spent many hours at Morro Bay watching the wonders of nature that are all new to me. again thank you from the bottom of my heart for this beautiful photo.
I am so glad Doris returned. Always good to see old friends. I am sure she was glad to get back to California specially Los Osos . Tell her tht her fans are so happy that she is well. Thanks for the information .
So glad you enjoyed our observations and photo. Yes, please share our website with your friends and family. ~Heather and Bob
You’ve been a long time follower and are glad you’ll hear the latest. Come visit anytime in the afternoons when Bob’s there. We hope the gate will be open often so Bob can drive out to share all this with visitors. ~Heather
What about the pair that nest near the power plant off of the Point Buchon Trail? Does Doris arrive in Baywood from there? Barbara Jean
We don’t know. She could be from Alaska for all we know. She’s not banded. She arrives normally in October and leaves around March, always alone, never with a mate. This coincides with birds that come from colder climes or when their food source moves south. ~Bob and Heather
I was so happy to see Doris around 11;00 this morning, New Year’s Eve. I have missed seeing her on my winter trip to Baywood. Thanks for keeping us informed and the terrific pics. She flew off too quickly for me to get a pic.
So glad to hear you saw “Doris.” We’re preparing for the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival and hope you’ll be able to join us. ~Heather