Photo credit: Kim Stroud, Ojai Raptor Center
In May 2025, three eggs from a peregrine falcon nest were transferred from San Diego Bay NWR to the Ojai Raptor Center in Ventura County. This effort was a collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges, and the Ojai Raptor Center, and represents only the second time in the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex that peregrine falcon eggs were relocated. The eggs were transferred to the raptor center for artificial incubation and we’re happy to hear that all three eggs have successfully hatched. The young falcons are growing quickly and will be released into the wild from a hack cage once they are ready.
Peregrine falcons themselves are a conservation success story. They were once on the brink of extinction, and they’ve made a remarkable recovery thanks to decades of dedicated work. Efforts like this aim to continue that legacy, ensuring the survival not only of peregrine falcons but also other vulnerable bird species that are still struggling to recover.
The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex plays a critical role in the protection of federally listed birds such as Western snowy plovers and California least terns by providing safe, undisturbed nesting habitat. Supporting imperiled and at-risk wildlife is central to the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and we work to ensure that these rare species have the opportunity to rebound and thrive.
The relocation reflects the thoughtful balance required to support a variety of native wildlife while protecting those that are facing greater threats. Through partnerships like this, we can help one species thrive without jeopardizing the future of another.
Justyn Stahl
Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex