Golden years…

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch

Youthfulness, a juvenile Photo by Cleve Nash
Maturity, an adult female Photo by Cleve Nash

Questions of age have come to my attention from a few readers about the south side female. Yes, she is getting “a little long in the tooth” and according to “Birds of North America,” the peregrine falcon article, female age has a significant effect on all measures of reproductive success: clutch size, fertility, hatchability, brood size, nestling survivability.” What they are saying is that a fourteen year old female will not lay as many eggs as she did in her younger years. Some of her eggs won’t be fertile, some of the fertile eggs won’t hatch.

6-1-13 23833

Onward…                                                  Photo by Cleve Nash

I have watched the same female since she arrived at Morro Rock in the summer of 2001 as a subadult. She still carried vertical barring of a juvenile on her chest. I believe her to be 13 to 14 years of age. The article states further that the older they get , there will be fewer eggs produced. This female had her largest clutch last year, four in number. In the wild most peregrine observers believe the average lifespan to be 16 to 20 years. In captivity, 25 or more years. Weakness in an aging peregrine will become evident to other peregrines and a younger one will eventually replace her. We haven’t seen any of these distinct signs. If this season is a failure, it’s not because she didn’t try… twice! I hope we’ll both be here next spring.

Happy trails, Bob

Items:
First: Although we are both in our “golden years,” she hasn’t changed a bit where as I … What happened?

Second:  After observing from 4 to 6 hours daily, we haven’t seen any activity around the second nest site since July 2nd. We did see both tiercel and falcon go into the “diving board” nest site, the previous nest site. Now what? It is getting late in the season….

Posted in chicks, falcon, juvenile, Morro Rock | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Baffled and befuddled…

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
Location of abandoned and current nest site Photo by Heather O'Connor

Location of abandoned and current nest sites                          Photo by Heather O’Connor

Our readers have been asking about the south side falcons and what’s going on. I have yet to write about them for the last two weeks because of all the curve balls that I have been thrown by this pair. I see patterns that continue for three or four days, then a complete change.

I can’t tell you what I don’t know, but here is what I do know. For weeks in May, we saw  incubation exchanges take place in the second nesting site. This is after the abandonment of the first nest site, the “diving board” eyrie.  In June we saw food exchanges and prey items taken into the second eyrie. Also, at this time a few photographers and observers could hear what they thought to be young chicks cacking in the eyrie. Since the first of July, I have not seen any prey go into the eyrie or heard sounds.

Soaring... Photo by Cleve Nash

Full soar………………….                   Photo by Cleve Nash

The female is molting and sits in a very small hole for hours at a time. She only flies to chase a hawk or errant young falcon from the north side.  She came to the rock as a sub-adult in the summer of 2001. She is about 13 years old. Last year, she had the largest clutch consisting of four chicks out of the 25 that she fledged since she’s been here.

The tiercel visits the nest site frequently and this is what keeps me going, going, going…..

Happy trails, Bob

Item: I spend four to six hours a day observing, so I might miss some things that happen.

Posted in chicks, falcon | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Summer Solstice…

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
The gathering of the Salinian Tribe Photo by Heather O'Connor

The gathering of the Salinian Tribe                               Photo by Heather O’Connor

Long days and short nights start to make a change at this time of year. It’s the summer solstice with a giant full moon. Here at Morro Rock the Native Americans of the Salinian Tribe are here to celebrate the Summer Solstice. With drums and flutes around a roaring fire, they watch as a few of them make the climb up to the top of Morro Rock, where they will light a small prayer fire. The rock to them and their ancestors has been a sacred and religious place. They make this pilgrimage twice a year, June 21st and December 21st. I have been to many of them over the years. Time changes things from year to year. Some of the old folks I don’t see much of any more, but new ones come to take their place.
Friends of the Peregrine Watch, Carl and Bebot Lea, both local falconers, brought a great horned owl to the pow wow and it was quite a hit, plus being a powerful symbol to the Tribe.

About 6:30 PM things are starting to roll and we are stacking firewood around the fire ring, which by way is under the falcon’s eyrie.

Immediately my attention was averted by falcon screams. I looked up and saw the tiercel with a fuzzy Western Gull chick in his talons with gull parents chasing desperately, but to no avail. He landed in the eyrie some 65 yards directly above me. This was the first real sign I had seen that there might be something alive in that hole and it might be hungry. I have seen it three more times since then. When the female brought prey to the eyrie, two people heard a commotion coming from the nest site.

The roaring Solstice fire Photo by Heather O'Connor

The roaring Solstice fire                                       Photo by Heather O’Connor

Later that evening as the sounds subsided, the celebration of summer solstice came to a close around the roaring fire. Now only embers glow.
Happy trails, Bob

Posted in chicks, falcon, gulls, Morro Rock, visitor | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Birding by lawn chair…

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
Setting up Photo by Sue Boardman

Arriving and setting up at the “Rock” with Cleve, Sue, Bob & Heather        Photo by Howard Boardman

This is an alternative guide to birdwatching for those of you in your golden years or the infirm or maybe you’re just lazy or just don’t like to walk. With a few tips you can enjoy birding as much as anyone.

View from lawn chairs Photo by Sue Boardman

Convenience and view from lawn chairs with spotting scopes  Photo by Sue Boardman

A friendly couple from New York spent a few weeks in California after birding across the USA in the Spring. They made my acquaintance as I sat in my director’s chair, sharing my spotting scopes and talking with the visitors who came to Morro Rock. The woman, Sue, asked if I knew of some good birding spots.

I replied, “Yes, but I think this is one of the best right here in that little willow thicket just 20 yards in front of you.”

Wilson's Warbler in the thicket Photo by Sue Boardman

Wilson’s Warbler in the thicket                                     Photo by Howard Boardman

I pulled another chair from my car and invited her to bird. In the following days we became fast friends. The little thicket had new and different birds every day.

“Birding by lawn chair became a recognized sport in Morro Bay. After all, it is a retirement center.”

I’m sure neither Sue nor I invented it, but now she is the East Coast promotor and distributor. Most people miss a lot because they can’t stay in one place more than a short time.

Here are some hints:
I use a straight back director’s chair with folding table. I find a small collapsable cooler with ice pack works well for food and drink. I’m not going to go through the obvious things you need for birding, books, binoculars, sunscreen, etc. The point here is to find the spots where birders are going, through the internet, daily postings, word of mouth, etc.

A bird that was there yesterday might not be there today.
How many times have you heard, “You just missed them. A whole flock of them.”?

Most birders keep moving to try to see more and more species. Some can put in as much as 200 miles a day in searching. What I’m getting at is if you stay in the same spot long enough, you will see the birds of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Happy trails, Bob

Suggestions and comments from an expert, Sue Boardman:

“My favorite birding chair has a high back so that I can lean back to see the warblers without getting warbler neck or hold steady when the peregrines are passing food overhead.  Bob’s side table is a great plus as a place for my coffee cup.

While I am still able to crash around in the woods, I almost never see anything that way because I am too busy trying to keep from tripping over an errant root, or worse yet my own feet.

Black Oystercatcher Photo by Sue Boardman

Black Oystercatcher                         Photo by Sue Boardman

Another great delight in lawn chair birding is exactly what happened in Morro Bay,  you make connections with the people who really know something and like most birders, they are happy to share.   We really hit a winner…. a great spot, easy birding additions to our life lists and new friends.  It doesn’t get any better than that!” ~Sue Boardman

Bird Photo by Sue Boardman

Cooper’s Hawk                                                       Photo by Sue Boardman

 

Posted in Morro Rock, visitor | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Leave the fog behind…

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
Bald Eagle with prey Photo by Cleve Nash

Bald Eagle with prey                                                                        Photo by Cleve Nash

When summer comes to Morro Bay,  you can be sure there will be days of fog along the coast. A mile inland it can be sunny and 80°F, but the warm air rising brings in the marine layer along the coast and “Voila. Fog !”

On a day such as this, our resident photographer, Cleve Nash, driving south on Highway 1 from Cambria is aware of the rough go it will be to photograph falcons along the coast. He turns left to go inland a couple of miles up Old Creek Road to where he knows a pair of bald eagles have taken up residence around a reservoir for the last few years.

Most of the time, the eagles are at a great distance. Without 500 or 600mm lenses, you have to wait and hope one will fly by close if you are lucky. For Cleve Nash, a two or three hour wait is nothing. You can see how it paid off for him here. As for the prey items identity, we are going to leave it to you, our readers. Please feel free to contribute.

Happy trails, Bob

Item:
Cleve – cormorant
Heather – merganser
Bob – merganser
Readers – ???

Posted in prey | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The lighter side…

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
A different perpective Photo by Cleve Nash

A different perpective                                             Photo by Cleve Nash

At this time of year with all the young falcons taking to the skies, it’s a good time to show you the other side of beauty, power and speed. I’m talking about all the goofy things you never see or hear about. They are the lighter side of the peregrine falcons that only the juveniles can bring you.

Falcon sneaking up on a ??? Photo by Cleve Nash

Falcon sneaking up on a ???                                   Photo by Cleve Nash

Yesterday, I’m sitting on the south side of Morro Rock waiting for something to happen i.e. chicks to show, food to go into the nest site, anything to break the boredom that has been going on for the last three months on the south side.

What direction is the food coming from? Photo by Cleve Nash

What direction is the food coming from?                Photo by Cleve Nash

Up there? Photo by Cleve Nash

Up there?                                                                Photo by Cleve Nash

Just then a juvenile from the north side comes flying over to the face of the south side. Immediately, the resident tiercel makes a swooping pass at the youngster to scare it off. The young one seeing that it is an adult and thinks it has food for him. He flies up under the tiercel in typical food exchange fashion and gets smacked  by the adult tiercel not once, but twice. He will remember that not all adults are his parents.

It's not easy to land on a lichen covered branch. Photo by Cleve Nash

It’s not easy to land on a lichen covered branch. Where do my feet go?           Photo by Cleve Nash

I would like to share some photos from Cleve Nash with our readers. Some of the crash landings would be better in video. Try and use your imagination.

Happy trails, Bob

 

Posted in chicks, falcon, juvenile, Morro Rock, prey, Shell Beach | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Breakfast on the bluff…

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
Adult peregrine peacefully waiting Photo by Bob Mancuso

Adult peregrine peacefully waiting                       Photo by Bob Mancuso

The demands of a growing family of chicks, or should I say juvenile peregrine falcons, can be intense. Remember when you first heard the cry of your or your friend’s baby. It pulls at your heart. Now think of the cry of the falcon chicks when hunger strikes. Peace is gone and the hunt is on.

Hungry juvenile Photo by Bob Mancuso

Hungry juvenile                                            Photo by Bob Mancuso

If the chicks live on Morro Rock, a trip is made by the tiercel to capture a peep on the long dune-covered sand spit or within the Morro Bay Estuary and its  pickleweed covered silty flats seen at low tide. The falcon will capture a larger bird such as a willet. Since she is one third larger, she can carry a bigger bird. Shell Beach birds have brought in shorebirds from the beaches or Meadowlarks from the hillside across the Pacific Coast Highway.

The more the better, but every bite counts when you are raising three or four growing chicks. Knowing that the peregrines can choose from over 200 types of birds, there is variety in their diet. This variety maintains the health and vibrant colors found on these wild birds.*

The cacking begins Photo by Bob Mancuso

The cacking begins                                            Photo by Bob Mancuso

On their return, the parent is seen from a long distance and the juveniles set up a pleading request of constant cacking.

“Feed me. Feed me. Feed me.”

Prey delivered Photo by Bob Mancuso

Prey delivered                                        Photo by Bob Mancuso

If they are too young to fly up, greet the parent and grab the prey, they wait impatiently on the bluff. Well, barely patiently.

Who has the next bite? Photo by Bob Mancuso

Who has the next bite?                                   Photo by Bob Mancuso

The parent dropping down, delivers the prey to the eager bunch who squabble over who gets the prey first. It’s the dominant juvenile who wins out, but may lose a bite while it is consuming its first bite. A sibling can easily sneak in and get its own tasty morsel. One may even try to run off with the prey. Games between the juveniles continue until the prey is devoured. Then the hunt is on again. More food! More! More! These are growing youngsters.

Mine ! Photo by Bob Mancuso

Mine !                                                              Photo by Bob Mancuso

Peace, ~Heather

*Captive birds fed on the same diet day in day out tend to be less colorful.

Posted in chicks, falcon, hunting, juvenile, Morro Rock, prey, Shell Beach | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Photographer’s nightmare

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
Juvenile - cliff racing Photo by Cleve Nash

Juvenile – cliff racing                                                       Photo by Cleve Nash

Trying to keep abreast of what is going on at Morro Rock can be a job in itself, although at times, it can be fun. A trip to the south side this morning turned out to be more confusing than ever with this pair of falcons. The second eyrie, the one they have been brooding in, appears to have more droppings around the mouth than it did a couple days ago. The female was perched in the mouth of the “clown’s face” and the tiercel was not to be seen. I spent ninety minutes there and still cannot tell you whether they are brooding, the chicks have hatched, or another failed nesting. Only time will tell.

After watching the three young on the north side for three hours, a couple of birdwatcher friends came by and I asked them if they wanted to see something special. They answered “Yes!” and we all jumped into my Ford Escape.

Jack and Gordon are both local guys who have watched the falcons at Morro Rock a lot of the time, but have never seen the Shell Beach birds of which there are four young flying. Thirty minutes later, we pulled into a small parking lot off the Frontage Road and drove to the edge of a ninety foot cliff with chain link fence. Before I got the car shut off, a juvenile falcon came screaming over the hood of the car eight feet above! You could see the folds of skin on his legs and talons. As Jack opened his passenger door, another came by at speed. They are cliff racing right in front of us anywhere from ten to thirty feet away, mostly at eye level, some a little above, some a little below.

Patrolling adult Photo by Cleve Nash

Patrolling adult                                              Photo by Cleve Nash

Picture three guys standing in a three foot deep trench, ten feet off the edge of asphalt at Indianapolis Speedway and cars going by. How do you take a picture of this? We all stood in amazement not saying a thing for the first few minutes. Then it hit us and we couldn’t shut up. I have seen this happen for many years at this time of year and have always been taken by it.

Second sortie Photo by Cleve Nash

Second sortie                                                 Photo by Cleve Nash

Jack and Gordon had never seen anything like this before and I’m sure they won’t miss it next year. Between the three of us, we must have taken 50 photographs in the first ten minutes. Two of mine made it on the screen. Jack might have had a few more. I think we just gave up and watched. It was so wonderful! Needless to say, you won’t see any of our photographs on this blog. However the ones that you will see are from someone who has photographed falcons and is very good at it. Thank you, Cleve Nash.

Happy trails, Bob

Item:
Awestruck.

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Surprise…

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
"Rosie" finds love Photo by Cleve Nash

“Rosie” finds love                                           Photo by Cleve Nash

“Why is Cleve not out here at the rock?”

“Did you call him?”

“No.”

“He’s been gone for two days, so…. “

12PM: Cleve Nash shows up at the rock.

“Where have you been? Everybody has been worried about you.”

“I told Bob I was going to Santa Barbara on Friday…”

It seems as though I had been so excited about all the action with the chicks and such, I must have had a little bout with C.R.S.

Anyway on his way home, Cleve stopped off at the Shell Beach nest site to check on what he thought was a new mate for  “Rosie”* a few weeks ago.

Your place or mine? Photo by Cleve Nash

Your place or mine?                                       Photo by Cleve Nash

Upon looking over the cliff to see the two of them, instead, he sees four young falcons ready to fledge. He and fellow photographer, Bob Mancuso are aghast. They hadn’t even seen her breeding.

“Where did these chicks come from? She must have kept him in the closet!”

Surprise... 4 Photo by Cleve Nash

Surprise ! … 4                                                Photo by Cleve Nash

The answer to the story is… no one watches this nest site on a regular basis and they have moved the eyrie several times over the years. This Shell Beach nest site is where I saw my first wild peregrine falcon in the fall of 1969.

As of to date, we now have three chicks at Piedras Blancas, three chicks at the north side of Morro Rock, four chicks at Shell Beach.  We still have yet to check nest sites at Diablo Canyon, Avila, Pecho Ranch at Montaña de Oro and the south side of Morro Rock.

Any information on the remaining sites is welcome to be submitted to us at Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch. Use our comment box below. Thanks.

Happy trails, Bob

*See photo of “Rosie” on May 6 blog titled “No news is good news…” http://tinyurl.com/lr6s58y

Posted in chicks, falcon, juvenile, Morro Rock, Shell Beach | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chicks rule…

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch
With prey Photo by Teddy Llovet

Adult with prey                                              Photo by Teddy Llovet

With young on the wing, every day for the next month, it will be like a three ring circus with performances every hour or so. Arriving at Morro Rock, a little after 7AM, and before setting up, I immediately hear young vocalizing and soon spotted movement high up on the cornice with my naked eye. They continued for the next few minutes, while I put up a couple spotting scopes, two chairs and assorted paraphernalia which keeps this gig going.

There were some feathers and what seemed to be a carcass between two of the young birds, which neither one was interested in. They must have received a prey item just before I arrived, and that was what all the commotion was about.

For the next four hours, the parents would arrive and the young would race out to greet and see who would get the kill, but the parents would not have anything in their talons. Four times, they did this. Don’t ask me why.

Finally just before noon, the tiercel came in over the bay carrying a small dark long-legged shorebird. By this time the chicks were totally frustrated from false alarms. The second male to fledge did not even fly out, but remained perched on the cornice.

Mid-flight transfer Photo by Teddy Llovet

Mid-flight transfer                                    Photo by Teddy Llovet

“Flyboy,” being the swift one, intercepted the parent and deftly grabbed the prey in mid-flight. Banking into a 180 degree turn and heading back to the rock, he collided with his very large sister, who was following close in and was determined to eat first. In mid-air the prey was falling free and “Flyboy’s” speed had carried him past the prey and the large sister grabbed it in mid-flight. The confrontation did not end here. After landing they continued to fight over the kill. “Flyboy” never had a chance, but showed a lot of game.

The fight continues Photo by Teddy Llovet

The fight continues                                        Photo by Teddy Llovet

Happy trails, Bob

Item:
If you like the addition of more photos, tell us. We’ll do our best.

Posted in chicks, falcon, juvenile, Morro Rock, prey | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments