2004 Field Season Update #2
Erin Gott— 17 June 2004 — in Aplomado Falcon Restoration    ShareTo date we’ve fledged 48 young from wild nests (26 around the Laguna Atascosa/Brownsville area and 20 on Matagorda Island). Thirty-two of our “territorial pairs” attempted to nest this year (21 Laguna/Brownsville and 11 Matagorda.) Three “territorial” pairs never attempted to nest, while a fourth pair went missing at egg-laying time, never to resurface. Twenty of the “territorial” pairs successfully produced young, while 12 failed during incubating/chick brooding. So far only two pairs (who failed) recycled in different nests. Here is how our different nests produced:

Open Nest Platforms: six fledged young, three failed (one from lightning strike), one still has chicks, and two (who recycled from failed natural nests) are now on eggs. Total attempts = 12. Total chicks fledged (to date) = 13.

Barred Nest Boxes: seven fledged young. Total attempts = 7. Total chicks fledged = 18.

Natural Nests (including raven nests on power poles): six fledged young and nine failed. Total attempts = 15. Total chicks fledged = 15.

I think it is safe to say that our nest structures are a success. Take Matagorda Island for an example; in 2002 and 2003 we fledged a total of 11 Aplomado Falcons (five in 2002 and six in 2003.) With nesting structures we’ve boosted that number to at least 20 young falcons in 2004.

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