Morning watch 4-29-14
By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
It was a breezy 52 degrees (F) 11(C) and overcast as I was leaving I could see the sun peeking thru the clouds
I arrived on the Broad St. Bridge at 6:10am not knowing who was on the eggs as I forgot to check the livestream before leaving home. Both Donna and Annette let me know that Dot.Ca (DC) had relieved Beauty earlier. I had been on the east side to check for the Beautyful one on HSBC and as I pulled over on Woodbury St. I saw her fly off HSBC heading north. I went north as well and as I was checking Kodak Office Donna reported that DC was squeaking so Beauty might be near. I found Beauty under the northwest wing of Times Square. Thanks Donna and Annette!
I parked in the hole at Aqueduct and Basin streets to watch. Beauty didn’t stay there for long as she flew out 5 minutes later at 7am and literally floated down to the deck and into the nest box.
I almost missed DC fly out of nest box area in a blur and go over to the Mercury Money Bag. He started preening and as he stood on one leg to scratch his head the wind nearly blew him off-he had to spread his wings to catch his balance.
DC obviously was not comfortable up there with the strong winds as he flew off right after heading north. When I couldn’t locate him I went to Brighton to see if perhaps he went there but all I found was a couple pigeons that were going in and out of an open window on the east side below the south side vent. Certainly proof that there are no falcons going there.
I spent about half an hour searching downtown and as I was returning from the east side Annette reported Beauty out and DC in to cover their eggs. I looked around for Beauty but she was nowhere in the immediate area. I decided to end my watch at that point but as I was leaving downtown I spotted Beauty up on the top ibeam northwest side of OCSR-she had her back to me as she preened and looked over her shoulder on and off. Donna had reported that DC had brought food to lure Beauty out the nest box-it must have been very small cuz she was already done eating when I found her.
I exited downtown at 8:30am but my watch wasn’t over for when I got to Seneca Towers where I now live I saw the juvie female fly in from the south wailing quite loudly and land on the northwest corner railing of the building. She flew off heading south a couple minutes later and revealed that the adult was right behind her on the railing-she totally prevented me from seeing him. Size counts in the Peregrine world!
So I saw 4 falcons on watch this morning giving me good reason to smile! 🙂
Click on the links below to view 2 videos
April 29th, 2014 at 1:02 PM
Kismet. You did not know for so long where you would live when you left your old place, but the gods/goddesses have led you right to this place, blessed by a peregrine couple. It is like it just *had* to be. But, oh, if this couple nests within your camera range, you may never go downtown again! 🙂
April 29th, 2014 at 2:07 PM
The banded juvie female already has a name (probably Billy), so I think we should name the unbanded tiercel either MAK or Mac, after you. 🙂 Seneca is also a good name, but that name has already been used.
April 29th, 2014 at 9:02 PM
Alison, no worries-I will still go downtown. Beauty’s my girl! But it sure is great seeing a falcon fly by my window daily-even if it is a fleeting glimpse. They come so close that they leave your field of vision in a nano second unless you hang out the window and I’m not ready to do that yet! I did go out farther on the east balcony today. lol
Yikes Pat! I think the name should probably be voted on, although I would love to have a bird named after me. 🙂