Spring Break Falcons...

It's that time of year again!! For us living on the Gulf Coast, it's time to stay away from the beach. It's Spring Break, and the shores are bumper to bumper bikinis and speedos and traffic jams!! I will be birding elsewhere, until the islands return to 'normal' traffic flow and staying clear of the drunken revelers [they have a bad reputation here]. Recently, tho, with the two falcon platforms just off the island highway, I have seen some activity of the rare falcon, the Aplomado. There are two of them; male and female. Since I won't be there for a couple of weeks, I will return and see if they are nesting soon! In the last three times I've been there, before the college kids arrived in full swing, I've witnessed this:

On the last week of February, the pair was quite active when I was there:

...the the week prior to Spring Break [after a week of stormy, cold, and rain], I noticed that the two had moved on to the 2nd platform about a mile from where I first sighted them. The smaller of the two, the male, was hunting and feeding while the female kept watch on her surroundings.

APLOMADO FALCON
photos taken:  Padre Island-Mustang Island highway
habitat map:  Falcon

Note:  The female is ringed

I hope there will be some baby falcons this season. That would be promising to have some offspring of this rare bird!!!  Before I even think of a return trip, I will find other hotspots to visit.  I traversed the botanical gardens grounds and noticed the Purple Martins have arrived for breeding in their 'home' Martin Condos.  Photos of them coming soon to a blog near you.

Now, share your birding experiences:



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