Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch

As breeding becomes more frequent for the adult falcons at Morro Rock, now about every two hours or so, but this schedule can be interrupted by two couplings in ten minutes which is not unusual.

Note his curled talons to not injure his mate during frequent breeding          Photo by Cleve Nash

The next couple of activities that we will be looking for will be the selection of nest or eyrie. The tiercel will lead her to different sites and vocalize. She might stop and look or simply pass by on the wing and not even look. When she is heavy with eggs, she will make the choice no matter what he says or does. At this time she will also cease to hunt or stray far from the site that she favors. He will begin to bring prey to her as she demands with loud vocalizing. The male will actually “over hunt” by killing and stashing prey in different larders. The tiercel will not have time for much else for the next 60 days. This is when she will begin to hunt again. At this time the chicks will be two to three weeks old and growing rapidly. He simply cannot keep up with the demand of feeding everyone including himself. Besides all of these other duties, he will have to include frequent incubation exchanges.

These numbers are approximate.

Number of days female is not hunting

Cessation of female hunting         2   weeks prior to egg laying     ± 14 days
Egg laying and incubation        ± 33  days                                         ± 33 days
Chick growth                                   2    weeks                                       ± 14 days
Female returns to hunting         total equals                       ± 60 days

± means plus or minus

Happy trails, Bob

Item:
We never know where she’ll nest until she does, but she has used the “diving board” eyrie nine out of twelve seasons. See other sites that have been used in the past.

Nest sites appear in green,

all other holes, commonly used for perching or as larders,  in red.

2001    This female nested in the “Mail slot” and had 1 chick.

2010    She nested in the “WaterFall” and had 3 chicks.

2011     She nested in the “Lower five” and had 3 chicks.

The “Rock”                            Photo by Bob Isenberg