News & Notices - All Things PFC

Through our Cooperative Agreements Grant to study the Prairie Falcon, we have been monitoring three *Prairie Falcon nests during spring 2021 in the Jawbone-Butterbredt Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Although frequently encountered in the desert east of SR-14, the Prairie Falcon is a rare breeder in the higher (3000-ft+ altitude) desert west of the highway. Still favoring rocky ledges to nest and Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) as their favored prey, each of the monitored nests is supporting 2 or 3 nestlings . . . this in spite of extremely dry conditions (even for this desert) and (compared to recent years) extremely low Antelope and Mohave Ground Squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis) meta-populations as well as other favored prey such as the Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris).

*We've also got our eyes on three active Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests, all three of which are also progressing well despite weather conditions and also seemingly low Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) and Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) numbers . . . introduced Chukar (Alectoris chukar), though, appear to be thriving AND this year, a more common prey choice for at least two of the eagle pairs.

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​Support our research: Visit our site and donate to our Prairie Falcon Research Fund:

Through a generous donation, The PCCA & the Prairie Falcon Conservancy have been able to establish The Prairie Falcon Conservation Fund, a research-supporting endowment that will be held by the Imperial Valley Community Foundation, El Centro, CA.

Find out more about the Prairie Falcon Conservation Fund HERE:
www.ivcommunityfoundation.org/funds-&-programs/prairie-falcon-conservation-fund/​
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