Observation date: 4 November 2014
Bonding continues with the peregrines on Morro Rock’s south side. The pair continue cooperative hunting and nearby perching. There have been no serious courtship flights, just a lot of the tiercel following her around in flight, then breaking off to land in one of the four nest sites she has used with him in the last six years. No copulations as of yet, but it should begin sometime in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile down the coast at Shell Beach, the widowed tiercel has had three female falcons auditioning for his favors. Lucky guy!
Photo by Cleve Nash
Comments from Cleve say that the first, more than a month ago, was a mature bird. Her tenure was brief, and she never came close enough for a shot. The next was a second-year bird that was hatched and banded on Santa Cruz Island. She then relocated to the Oceano Dunes. She lasted a week. The newest appears (in my humble estimation) to be a third-year bird.
Photo by Cleve Nash
Photo by Cleve Nash
Photo by Cleve Nash
Photo by Cleve Nash
Here are the three. To me they all look the same, but maybe he sees long legs or blond feathers, shapely chest… Which one would you choose?
Happy trails, Bob
Photo by Cleve Nash
Item: The link to the Peregrines of the Channel Islands Report 2013 is the following. http://tinyurl.com/q2t5gtr
The second bird, 70/AC appears in this report (page 29 of the numbered page, 38 of the PDF)
