Are peregrine falcons nesting at UC Berkeley a couple again?

DEAR JOAN >> I've followed the stories about Annie and Grinnell, the birds that have a nest on the UC Berkeley campus. Oh my, they've had so much drama lately. I'm wondering if you have an update on them and whether they're still a couple.

DEAR ALICE >> For those who might not be aware, Annie and Grinnell are peregrine falcons, and for the past six years, they've had a nest atop the UC Berkeley Campanile.

Things started going sideways for them last year when a rival peregrine falcon entered the territory and challenged Grinnell, who became injured after what's believed to have been an epic battle. Grinnell was rescued and received care at Lindsay Wildlife's hospital, but while he was gone, Annie had no idea what had happened to him.

Although peregrines mate for life, they will accept new partners if something happens to their mate. Their instinct is about survival and perpetuating the species, so with Grinnell missing in action, Annie started showing some interest in the rival bird.

When Grinnell was well enough to be returned to his territory, he apparently won the rematch, driving the other falcon from the area. Annie accepted him back and they were showing signs they'd have another brood this year.

Then in February, Annie went missing for more than a week, and three female peregrines showed up looking to take her place. Grinnell signaled he might be interested in one of them, but just as everyone had written Annie off as dead, she reappeared as suddenly as she had disappeared.

Annie's behavior has been a little off, but she and Grinnell seemingly have renewed their bird romance.

On Wednesday, Grinnell delivered a sparrow to Annie, and they shared the meal. They've been displaying mating rituals and have engaged in a bit of physical intimacy off camera.

Annie also has been seen scratching in her gravel nesting area — all signs that egg laying could occur soon.

You can keep an eye on them through the webcams at calfalcons.berkeley.edu/webcams.

DEAR JOAN >> I live on a ranch and I have been trying for years to stop the blackbirds from cleaning out all my feeders. I have tried all those cages. They are expensive, by the way. I am now putting feed under rose bushes and such, which stops them pretty well but then I can't enjoy watching the birds, which is the main point. Is there anything else that I can do to stop the big crowd of blackbirds taking over?

— Marylou Springer,

Fairfield

DEAR MARYLOU >> There are a few different species of black birds — birds that happen to be black — so I'm not sure which one is bedeviling you. If it's crows, you can try putting out the fake dead crow under cover of darkness, or you can set up a special feeding station for the black birds.

Larger birds tend to like larger foods, such a cracked corn and peanuts. If they have their own food, they might leave the other feeders to the other songbirds.