Friday, January 24, 2025
I know our last posting had some dismal news regarding our Peregrine Falcons at Morro Rock. We were getting concerned that we would be making a lot of excuses at the 2025 Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, January 16th through the 20th. However, on January 15th, we had a very good day sighting both male and female falcons flying and perching for extended periods. That lifted our spirits.
Our site at the Festival was a “Stop and Scope” affair. We set up four scopes and lots of chairs for people to stay and view as long as they wished. Our birds did not disappoint. Both of them showing up multiple times each day.
At times , we had as many as six scopes and two cameras set up. We welcomed as many as five tour groups each of the four days as well as the general public which totaled 100-150 viewers per day.
As you might imagine, between setting up, tearing down, setting and re-setting scopes as the birds changed perches throughout the day and talking to so many people, we were exhausted by the end of the Festival.
We are now back to our regular schedule, ten to two o’clock, with both falcons gracing us with their presence daily. What we have not seen yet is the breeding, which at this point is about two weeks later than in past years. They could be breeding somewhere else out of our visual field. We are seeing them for extended periods and would likely see some “action.”
That’s it for now. Observations contributed by Jerry Pyle.
Happy trails, Bob and Jerry
You guys are great! Morro Bay is lucky to have both of you and your dedication to the Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch!!!