Saturday, May 30, 2020
30 May 2020
For many of you that have been to Morro Rock and seen me on the south side for years know that I have befriended many of the small birds, mainly the White-crowned sparrows with offerings of Pecan Sandies. One bird in particular, a banded White-crowned Sparrow would sit on my finger enjoying one of the cookies. This bird is “Bandi.” For seven years, she would bring her chicks to me to feed them the Pecan Sandies. Over the years, many have come to sit on my knee or finger. For some reason people love to photograph this.
Photo by Teddy Llovett
For the last three years the gate has been closed to the south side and I have been watching the pair of falcons on the north side. Bandi had made the trip to visit and always seems to find me. Yesterday, she made the 500 yard trip with one of her new babies. My folding chair has a table with a sunken cup that I fill with cookie crumbs and many of the birds know it’s there. Bandi and her chick were on the table. The chick won’t eat anything unless it’s from Bandi’s beak, even if the crumbs are at its feet.
Photo by Teddy Llovett
Happy trails, Bob
Item: All four falcons have successfully fledged. One female is an exceptional flyer and somewhat of a loner. I have determined the sex of three of the birds, but it is hard to get all four flying or perched at once so that I can see the size difference. For now we have two females and one male…more to come.
(Even though Bob doesn’t like to name birds, he calls the exceptional flyer, “Wonder Woman.” But don’t tell anybody! ~Heather)
Thank you. I continue to love these since I moved here in 2002 and subequently discovered you!
Carry 0n!
Thank you for your ongoing interest! Bob
I love your Bandi story, Bob. You write well. I wish my pix had been sharper. Next time Bandi visits I hope I’m there with my real camera rather than cell phone. Thank you for answering my (repeated) questions year after year and offering interesting facts about these amazing jet diving falcons!!
Hi, I was so hoping to see images from the day of fledging which I missed. I watched six days in a row from Sunday forward. I have some decent shots, and even video of one parent on a promontory, spreading her wings to fight the wind. Watched them all hunt (catch and eat). Cannot send the video file – -too large. How is the pair doing on the south side of the rock – – the new pair? I tried to find Catheral Hole, unsuccessfully. Could it be the same place as last years eyrie, and two fledglings? Thanks for helping all to experience this wonder! Please protect my privacy.
The Cathedral hole is last year’s nest site.The south side pair is doing fine, no breeding, no nesting. The male is still in juvenile plumage. Thank you for your interest. ~Bob