It is bird nesting season so it is prime time to start streaming your favorite nest cams! I have many to watch and there seems to be a lot of drama happening in each one. One of my all time bird couples to watch are Annie and Grinnell, peregrine falcons, who have made the Campanile Tower at UC Berkeley their home since 2016.
Today’s episode is a replay of my FB live interview with two members of the Cal Falcons team who have been monitoring the nest of Annie and Grinnell since 2016. I wanted to replay highlights from our chat in May 2020 today in honor of Grinnell. On April 1, 2022, Cal Falcons sadly reported the world had lost Grinnell due to being struck by a car. I was hoping this would be some kind of bad April fools post, but I knew Cal Falcons would not tug at our heart strings with such a cruel joke. It was difficult to grasp that Grinnell was gone. I know I am not alone in mourning the loss of Grinnell, the Cal Falcons instagram page (@cal_falcons) has over 10 thousand followers from all over the world. It is a terribly sad event for so many reasons, but heart wrenching because Annie just laid her second egg and Grinnell was hunting to bring food to her. It was reported a dead pigeon was found not far from Grinnell. My heart felt heavy for Annie, thinking that she would not be able to keep protecting and incubating the eggs without the help of a mate.
But I am happy to say there is now hope for Annie and her eggs! Cal Falcons has reported that a New Guy, who has big talons to fill compared to Grinnell!, is helping Annie incubate the egg, providing food and defending the nest from other peregrine intruders. This is so promising!
In Memory of Grinnell, the great provider, hunter and mate of Annie.
Theme Music: Madirfan from Pixabay.com titled Both of Us
Cal Falcons Instagram: @cal_falcons
Cal Falcons Website with links to webcams: https://calfalcons.berkeley.edu
Videos of Annie, Grinnell and Chicks during 2020 nesting season:
Annie and hatching of second egg-check out the size of feet when they come out!:
Grinnell with chicks! Watch out for projectile pooping!
Grinnell trying to fit all the chicks under his wings!