Berkeley has bird’s-eye view of falcons’ love triangle

A scandal is unfolding at UC Berkeley, and at its center are the flirtations of an interloper and a wounded mate.

Grinnell and Annie have manufactured their dwelling atop the Campanile, a 307-foot bell and clock tower overlooking the university’s campus, considering the fact that at the very least 2016. The peregrine falcons are resourceful, territorial birds, and they commonly mate for everyday living.

But last thirty day period, 8-yr-previous Grinnell was uncovered terribly wounded at a tennis club about two miles from his nest.

A excellent Samaritan captured the fowl Oct. 28 and took him to Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic in Walnut Creek, exactly where health professionals observed he’d had quite a beatdown. He was lacking a massive patch of feathers on his chin and throat. Just one of the raptor’s wings was hurt, and the suggestion of his upper beak was damaged off.

The fantastic information is, Grinnell is envisioned to make a complete restoration. But try telling that to Annie.

The feminine falcon, who is estimated by scientists to be at minimum 7, appears to be to be using up with yet another male suitor whilst Grinnell is in the hospital, a great deal to the dismay of the community fowl neighborhood, which has watched the pair’s partnership blossom over the several years.

What is even worse, scientists say it’s possible Annie’s new beau is a single of two birds that attacked Grinnell.

The really like triangle has been unfolding on nest cams that scientists mounted in 2019, and like any excellent actuality Tv set show, everyone has an impression.

“No, Annie!!” one particular commenter on Facebook wrote. “Grinnell is continue to alive! Don’t drop for this new fellow!!”

A different Grinnell enthusiast wrote, “I would like my coronary heart wasn’t broken by this, but alas, I am weak to survival of the fittest.”

Sean Peterson, a UC Berkeley doctoral applicant who scientific studies wetland birds, and his wife, Lynn Schofield, run the CalFalcons nest cams and social media site committed to the falcons. He said that once it grew to become obvious that Grinnell was out of imminent threat, men and women determined they did not like the new male hoping to swoop in.

“On a particular degree, if Grinnell was in a position to recover and able to return to his territory, I would be content,” mentioned Schofield, who functions with the nonprofit Institute for Fowl Populations. “But as a biologist, I want what is greatest for the species.”

Checking the falcons — permit by itself their adore life — was just a foggy daydream a couple of many years back, Peterson reported.

The species was on the brink of extinction simply because of hazardous pesticides and dwindled to only two breeding pairs in the continental U.S. by the 1970s. A breeding method led by falconers with captive birds assisted the species bounce back again.

Researchers in Berkeley 1st fulfilled Grinnell in 2013 as a nestling, and Annie appeared a several many years afterwards. Their personalities have produced in excess of the several years, and all those who study the pair have realized very a little bit about the birds. For example, Grinnell sits with his mate’s eggs lengthier than most male falcons.

“He’s a seriously superior dad,” Peterson stated when achieved by cellular phone.

“Annie is territorial and especially significant for a woman falcon,” Schofield reported on the telephone get in touch with. “Her identity tends to be a little bit far more dominant.”

“She’s intense,” Peterson piped in. “Whenever we’re on the nest amount, she’s always attempting to swoop at us.”

Grinnell underwent minor surgical treatment to close a wound on his wing and is on antibiotics and other drugs. Peter Flowers, the manager of Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Medical center, stated the defeat-up bird is recovering properly but could be off his toes for one more month.

“We have to choose it day by day,” Flowers explained.

Meantime, there is this new young dude who is settling into Annie’s nest. There is yet another feminine in the combine far too, but Peterson stated Annie appears to be awfully receptive to the new man in her everyday living.

Nonetheless, there is hope — and time — for Grinnell and Annie to reunite, Schofield stated. Falcons commonly don’t settle on a mate until finally February, and Grinnell could return, battle for his territory and thrust the new male out of the nest. Or he could simply shift on and obtain a new mate.

The breakup would undoubtedly go away a sting amongst the pair’s admirers.

“Fans love these birds like family members, but they’re distraught that the household may be breaking up,” Peterson said. “This is what takes place with character.”