Morning watch 5-18-14
By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
The morning started out at 43 degrees (F) 6 (C) with a chilly breeze and sunny blue skies
Beauty was on the 3 eyasses and last remaining egg when I checked the livestream before leaving for my watch. Donna reported that Dot.Ca (DC) had taken over for Beauty while I was on my way downtown. Thanks Donna-that was a big help because they both have their favorite places to perch and hunt from and I can act accordingly depending on who I’m looking for.
My first sighting was on the east side when I spotted pigeons scattering and Beauty right behind them. When they all settled on a building I knew Beauty had left the area so I did too. I next found the Beautyful one on the top arm west side of the Frontier Communications Tower (FCT) from State and Church streets. She took off before I could get to Fitzhugh St. and flew to Kodak Office landing on the southeast corner of the launchpad. As I pulled over on State St. she flew off and I was able to get a pic of that take off.
I quickly made a u-turn to follow as she flew south and went into a stoop past the Federal building at 6:51am. I went to the hole and spotted Beauty on the northwest corner of Widows Walk with food-so she was successful in her stoop! I drove to Fitzhugh St. for closer viewing.
Beauty ate a fair amount of this unfortunate pigeon or mourning dove then started plucking feathers to beat the band. The brisk breeze blew them away from her with great speed. At 7:10am Beauty flew off with her large leftovers and took it to the deck by the main cam where I caught up with her.
You could tell she wanted to feed the eyasses but didn’t want to go in the box until DC came out. DC had been taking food out since Beauty wasn’t letting him feed the wee ones yet. After 3 minutes she flew to the base of Mercury with her food
Beauty stayed 5 minutes then flew toward the nest box but I didn’t see her go in-she went somewhere and cached the goods then I saw her fly to the nest box.
DC flew straight across to the base of Mercury where Beauty had been and looked for the food. He’s a funny little character! After a short stay he flew over to OCSR.
DC did a lot of preening, foofing his feathers and scratching while on the top ibeam close to the south corner. He glanced over at the nest box periodically.
At 7:53am DC flew east in a hurry and the next time I saw him he was on the Wilder building green strip around 8:20am preening. Donna informed me that he had brought food to the nest box while I was off looking for him. Thanks again! DC didn’t stay long on Wilder before flying to the heel of Mercury.
DC stayed on the heel a couple minutes then flew to the nest box and back over to the heel again. He was certainly keeping me on my toes!
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Around 8:35am DC stooped down toward the river unsuccessfully and returned to Mercury coming to rest on the base this time. 10 minutes later DC stooped straight down Mercury and I didn’t see him again.
I ended my watch at 9am with a smile! 🙂
Click on the links below to view 6 videos from todays watch
May 18th, 2014 at 7:22 PM
They keep you busy this morning! Love the pics of DC on the heel!
May 18th, 2014 at 9:25 PM
Thanks Margaret they’re getting me in shape for chasing fledglings! 🙂