Falcon Fascination
Photo Credit: Glenn Nevill PhotographyOne of the season’s most suspenseful wildlife dramas is now taking place via web cam. Peregrine falcons were almost extinct two generations ago. Now much more prolific, two pairs of Peregrine falcons are carrying out their mating season under the gaze of thousands of observers, both online, thanks to cameras placed near their nests, and in city streets.
You may listen to the “Falcon Fascination” Radio report online, as well as find additional links and resources.
You may view the companion “Falcon Fascination” TV story as well, for an update on Jose and Clara.
Also see additional geotagged photos for these stories.
Amy Standen is a Reporter for QUEST and Radio News at KQED-FM.
Josh Rosen is Series Producer for QUEST on KQED Television.
I was surprised by the fact that Gracie had abandoned two clutches of eggs. Is this common falcon behavior or is she just a bad mom?
Hi Barry,
Rescuers from the SCPBRG took the first clutch of eggs from the Bay Bridge because they had been laid in a spot where the chicks were likely to get hurt as they started to fledge — not because Geoge & Gracie had abandoned them. The second time around, Gracie appeared to have abandoned her one egg, but — not being able to read bird brains — it’s hard to say why. Typically Peregrines lay larger clutches and wait for all the eggs to arrive before they begin brooding. So perhaps Gracie was waiting for more eggs which failed to arrive?
The Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group can do a much better job than I at answering these questions. Another great resource is the Yahoo Group formed around George and Gracie’s activities: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/PGEfalcons/ You have to join to read the messages, but there’s some great reading to be done on the site.
Thanks for writing!
Amy
Hi Barry:
Please don’t conclude that Gracie is a bad mom! On the contrary, she has produced seven offspring in the past three seasons, six of whom fledged successfully. As Amy states, her first clutch of eggs was taken off the bridge this year because researchers knew from past experience that the fledglings would be unlikely to fledge successfully from the bridge. They also took the eggs very early in their development in hopes that Gracie would “double clutch,” i.e., produce a second clutch of eggs and also move back to a nest site on dry land. We were very hopeful when she, in fact, did move back to one of the nest sites on the PG&E building equipped with a nest cam and lay a new egg. But unfortunately, she did not produce any additional eggs and, for whatever reasons, abandoned the single egg. The fact that she even produced an additional egg in a second clutch is remarkable since “double clutching” requires that both the male and the female completely reverse the hormonal process that occurs after a first clutch is laid, and essentially “jump start” the reproductive cycle. Apparently, they weren’t able to do this successfully this year. We have high hopes for next year, of course, and meanwhile we are following the development of the one chick from the bridge clutch, hoping that the egg from the second clutch will also develop successfully, and happily watching the San Jose pair whose three little ones are developing beautifully.
Neil
Great response, Neil. thanks!
Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation of our local pairs of peregrines. It conveyed the dedication, love, excitement and enjoyment the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group has imparted to the falcon fanatics among us. Through their discussion forums we learn so much about, not only the G’s is San Francisco and Clara & José in San José, but the struggle and dedication to bring the Peregrine Falcons back from the brink.
The Bird Groups willingness to answer questions and expanding our knowledge are so invaluable.
Thank you for conveying a positive and delightful piece on the falcon fascination of the Bay Area!