Falcon Watchers Report – 4/7/11
By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
If you’ve been keeping up with the tweets left by the Watchers in the field, you know that we’ve been attempting to figure out what was going on at the two possible nest sites in Rochester (NY). A team of Watchers including Kathy O, Dana, Joyce, MAK, Brian H, Lou, Larry O & Carol P have been out until dark the last few days, some Downtown and some at Kodak Park (KP). At both locations, two Falcons had been seen.
We were very excited, thinking we had two different pairs. After awhile, I posted on the forum that we suspected it may have been Archer visiting both locations. When two were spotted at one location, some of the Watchers would check out the other location. We were never able to find Archer downtown when there were two at Kodak Park. We tried hard, driving around for hours looking for Archer, trying to prove that there was a 2nd Tiercel. No luck.
Yesterday, Joyce took pictures of the Tiercel at KP. We now believe that it’s Archer visiting both locations.
Tonite, we had two at KP and one downtown. Beauty was on the Frontier Communication Tower platform, SW corner. We all ended up at KP, Watching the two there. Just before it started getting dark, the Tiercel took off from KP and headed south towards downtown. Dana, Lou, Kathy O and I remained at KP, while Joyce & MAK went downtown to check on Beauty and to see if Archer was there. They reported that Archer was on the Times Square Bldg on the SE ledge above the nest box and Beauty could be seen at the nest box on the cameras. Does it prove 100% that Archer is visiting both locations, no. But we do believe that he is.
We will continue to keep a close eye on the situation and report what we see. Stay tuned!
April 7th, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Whoops. Sorry, I posted on the Forum before I read your blog post, Carol. So you do think it’s Archer! Thank you for posting. Sorry I didn’t read it first. Isn’t there any way that Kodak would let some of you watchers in a bit closer to positively ID the Pefas at KP? If you folks can’t do it with all your high powered binocs, cameras, then no one can do it!
April 7th, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Margaret – We have been asked to stay in one area. They have been very kindly allowed us to Watch from Kodak property. Otherwise, we would not be able to view them at all.
April 7th, 2011 at 10:49 PM
It appears to me that Beauty is aware of what’s going on. Sad for her after she waited all winter for his return. She should have stuck with Mr. T.
April 7th, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Well… I know people are concerned. But remember Windwhistler in Toronto? He totally supported 2 nest sites, from beginning to end each season — both on King Street East and Queen Street West (where Rhea Mae is now) — for many years and did admirably! And he isn’t the only male peregrine to do this. Perhaps Archer just hasn’t got the hang of it yet… But it is a potentially interesting situation! We’ll hope for the best!
April 8th, 2011 at 8:16 AM
Hi Carol,
Any indication that there’s a nest at KP? Wish we could have a nest box there with cameras.
April 8th, 2011 at 8:51 AM
Well, that could explain why the egg laying stopped with one at Times Square. Where is Mr T when we need him? (I have the sinking suspicion that Archer chased him off, possibly fatally.)
April 8th, 2011 at 4:51 PM
Having Archer in both places doesn’t bother me (though it does seem to be bothering Beauty)… as long as he can keep them both going (Jack has been). But if he turns on Beauty like he did Mariah. Then NO.
Alison there is no indication that Archer killed Mr T.
T left as soon as Archer showed up. He was young and maybe not quite ready to do battle for territory yet.
April 8th, 2011 at 9:12 PM
Hi all, I’m confused here. Are you all saying that Archer is visiting two nests and there may be eggs in both these nests? I see the one egg at TS, could there be eggs at KP too? And the mama is not Beauty?
April 8th, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Lu Ann – There are many areas at KP that might be used as a nest site by Peregrines. No nest box, but lots of nooks and crannies.
Alison – I truly hope that Mr. T is out there somewhere. It would have been nice if he had found his way to KP and Lady Pefa. 🙂
April 9th, 2011 at 7:47 PM
Hello all!
I’ve been lurking for far too long, but I’ve been paying attention to the situation and have some thoughts. At first I was comparing Archer to Clark Kent; whenever Superman appeared, Clark was nowhere to be found!!! Two falcons at KP, one falcon at the NB. Hmmmmm………
When I read that no copulation had been witnessed between Archer and Lady PeFa, I recalled an afternoon spent on the pedestrian bridge after Mariah had returned from Rehab. Carol P. and I were there all afternoon, watching Mariah sleep on the gorge wall, and watching Archer watch Mariah. Remember Carol? Clearly Archer was trying to keep Mariah away from Beauty. So for now, I’m voting for Archer the protector, NOT Archer the two-timer! And right on cue – EGG # 2!!!
April 11th, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Any chance it may be Jameison? Maybe Archer is going to KP just to keep an eye on him?