Genoa nesting site update (June 11):
Following some detective work by Bob Anderson of the Raptor Resource Project (Dairyland’s partner in the Peregrine Falcon Restoration Program), the identity of the new female at the Genoa Site nesting box has been discovered. She is a 2007 fledge from the American Republic Insurance Building in Des Moines, Iowa. She was unnamed by the State of Iowa; Dairyland has named her Jezebel.
Jezebel became established at the Genoa Site following what appears to have been a territorial dispute between her and the previous longtime female falcon, Scooter. Jezebel likely drove Scooter, an older falcon, out of the nest in mid-May or killed her in the dispute. Scooter’s chicks are also gone, probably killed by the new female, although Dairyland staff has not found evidence of the chicks. The same male remains at the nesting site.
It is too late in the season to expect another nest with chicks to be established at this location. It will be interesting to see if the pair returns next spring.
