Peregrine Falcon Survey Time!

Every three years I look forward to the opportunity to assist with the Peregrine Falcon monitoring here in Arizona. This has to be one of my favorite assignments. Imagine hiking out to some remote cliff face where records exist for a historically occupied Peregrine nest site. You hike in, carrying a pack filled with supplies in case you have to spend the night, and a spotting scope for peeking in on the nest - should you find it. You approach the cliff face, all the while listening and watching for any sign that the falcons are present.

Generally, you're looking for the falcons in flight or perched on a narrow ledge somewhere on the cliff face. The Peregrine falcon has a distinctive dark "helmet" that covers its head and extends to nape of its neck and down side of face where it tapers into dark stripes that almost look like a mustache. These raptors have dark blue-gray plumage on their back, and light breast with variably dark barring. Known for their speed and agility in flight, Peregrines have a distinctive flight profile that will differentiate it from other raptors. The wings are pointed and the tail is short. Wing beats are smooth and powerful.

So anyways, there I was, quickly approaching the nest site with the anticipation of verifying occupancy or, even better, a nest! I reached the edge of the Mogollon Rim and took my position on the ledge where I set up my scope and pulled my field notebook from my pack. Before I could even get my eye to the scope, I heard the whining wail - the “kaak kaak” - of the female Peregrine. I looked through the scope, scanning the cliff face. Then suddenly I saw a falcon fly from a ledge, dropping down into the deep canyon below. The female, still somewhere across the canyon, continued calling. I quickly located her in a tall ponderosa pine snag from her vocal clues. I focused in on the female just in time to see the male fly in and perch right on top of her for a few seconds. Copulation! This was getting interesting.

The male flew off of the perch and disappeared into the canyon a second time. I continued to watch the female falcon, hopeful that she would soon fly to the cliff face where I would then see her nest site. But she stayed perched on the snag with the afternoon sun illuminating her light-colored breast, causing them to stand out against the dark red bluff behind her.

About forty minutes later, she started calling again. Almost immediately, the male reappeared and perched about twenty feet above her in the same snag. Then, he dropped out of the snag and landed on a narrow ledge. He perched momentarily and then the female joined him as if inspecting the nest site that he hoped to convince her to use.

As the sun dropped behind the distant horizon, I smiled to myself, knowing that I'd seen something beautiful and wild. In a couple of weeks I'll return to determine if the pair has successfully nested. I'll let you know how it goes!

April Update: For Lack of a Better Title

Kegged it and enjoyed.

Trying to get more brew time but work has picked up. That's good though. I feel very fortunate to have a job that keeps me busy during these tough times. Summer is right around the corner and spring has been busy since February. Lots of field time, lots of data.

Scored some brewing equipment from a friend and will be stepping it up with a 10 gallon batches and a small kegerator.