Decorah eaglets
After posting about Julie Hansen and Wild Birds Unlimited and the owl cam, which is following the mother sitting on three eggs that are about to hatch (Visit: wbu.com/owl-cam/ or https://youtu.be/8emLVvAQnI8), several readers responded.
One wrote: “I loved hearing about Julie Hansen and Wild Birds Unlimited. My husband and I, with Julie’s help, set up multiple feeders in our back yard a few years ago and they give us so much pleasure. In this stressful time, our birds are continuing to be a source of joy. My husband has identified 30 different birds in our postage stamp back yard!! My favorite is the Spotted Towhee. When the Cooper’s Hawk comes, the other birds flee….a very wise move.”
A second reader wrote: “Thank you for the tip/site for the owls. We love and have followed the Decorah Eagles at raptorresource.org.” The reader added that there are three eggs this year and that the eagles have been amazing parents—”and with the coronavirus stay-at-home order, there is plenty of time to follow the birds.”
According to the Raptor website, “Bob Anderson founded the Raptor Resource Project in 1988 to breed and release peregrine falcons as part of a nationwide effort to return the highly endangered species. Since its initial founding, the project has become involved in managing peregrine falcons and other birds of prey, installing camera systems, and providing an online education to our viewers. Our board and director are dedicated to carrying on Bob’s legacy.”
In 2013, the peregrine falcons were removed from the endangered species list.
PALISADES RAIN UPDATE:
There was a gentle rain on April 9.
The rain season is calculated from July 1 through June 30, according to Carol Leacock, the town’s L.A. County-certified rainmeister. The average rainfall here is 19 inches a year.
How is Pacific Palisades doing? The total rainfall this season is currently 15.33 inches. We received 7.88 inches through December, followed by a record dry spell in January and February. No measurable rain fell, compared to the January average (about 4.3 inches) and February (about 4.7 inches).
Fortunately, a March 12 storm, followed by showers a week later, added 4.65 inches to the town’s total. Then last week we had .90 inches on Sunday/Monday, .40 inches on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then 1.50 inches from Wednesday into Friday.
Leacock said the driest season in the Palisades, since record-keeping began in 1942, was 4.11 inches in 2006-2007. The 2013-2014 season ended with 6.13 inches. The most rain recorded here was 42.60 inches in 1997-1998.