Fourth of July Holiday Falcon Watch/Nor’easter Flies Again! – 7/3, 4, 5, 6/2014
By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
What a busy 4 full days of falcon watching. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July Holiday. Mine was spent watching the Rochester Falcons and loving every minute of it.
There were lots and lots of watchers out to help keep an eye on the juvies that started their PEFA training and one juvie who injured his wing and was grounded at the nest box for a few days. Today was Nor’easter’s day to fly high again.
The highlight of these four days was this morning when Dana and I witnessed Nor’easter spread his wings and take his first flight since injuring his wing. It was very early this morning when he made it up to the top of main camera. Beauty was nearby, on top of Camera #1. First he stretched his wings and flapped them and then he was off! Nor’easter flew over us heading east. His wing beats were steady and strong and he was maintaining altitude. Just as he passed Mercury, Beauty took off and easily caught up to him. She gently nudged him from behind and stayed by his side. Over the river, on the east side of OCSR, he turned back towards us. Beauty led the way. Nor’easter was a few seconds behind her, still flying strong. He flew up to the roof of the Wilder Bldg and landed safely on the east side. WOOHOO! We were so happy that he had successfully flown, turned and landed safely.
Nor’easter walked around the perimeter of the roof line and ended up on the north west corner where he found some food. Nettie joined him and they shared some breakfast. Later, Dot.ca, who had been keeping guard from the south side of the Wilder Bldg, brought more food in just for Nor’easter.
During the day, Nor’easter flew again to the ledge above the nest box area and then returned to the nest box before evening. That is better that any of us could have expected. 🙂
I would like to thank all the Rochester Falcon Watchers that were out this weekend to help keep an eye on them. Dan, Dana, Kathy O, Lisa McK, Joyce, Brian H, Larry O, Lou, Pat, Linda, Shaky, Carrie, Jeanne, Susan C, Kris, and Bill. I really apologize if I forgot anyone. Thank you all!
Here are some pictures from my watches over the last four days. Enjoy and goodnight!
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July 7th, 2014 at 6:52 AM
Thank you, thank you, thank you !!! I kept checking in all weekend ( knowing you guys have to take time off some time , but hoping for a glimmer..) AND there it is.. All’s well. Thank you.
July 7th, 2014 at 7:33 AM
Loving all the updates & friendly conversations. My first yr watching the falcons & am hooked. Thank you for the pictures! God bless you all for your devotion to this.
July 7th, 2014 at 7:58 AM
Thank you so much for this wonderful report, Carol! I was thinking about Nor’E all weekend and hoping he wouldn’t need rehabilitation. What a great way to start a rainy Monday morning! And a big thank you to all the watchers for keeping track of the juvies!
July 7th, 2014 at 8:00 AM
Thank you for the great updates & pictures! It’s my first year watching, too, and I am totally amazed and fascinated! Thanks to all the watchers for all you do for these beautiful birds! 🙂
July 7th, 2014 at 8:48 AM
Thanks for the very nice comments June, Ruth, Sue (Bess) and Patricia Rose! 🙂 Sorry I didn’t get an update posted sooner. Most of my 4 days was spent downtown keeping an eye on these gorgeous birds. Not a bad way to pass the time. lol
Thanks for coming on board Ruth and Patricia! Glad you found us and that you’re “not” addicted like the rest of us! hahaha!
July 7th, 2014 at 10:39 AM
What wonderful news about Nor’easter! I’m so happy! Thanks for the reports and the great pictures.
July 7th, 2014 at 11:27 AM
You are very welcome Beth!
July 7th, 2014 at 1:14 PM
I have always loved birds and now appreciate the hunters as well as their prey. Glad to be on board to encourage and chat even though I wish I could watch. Alas, not in “my world” right now.
July 7th, 2014 at 2:31 PM
Maybe some day you can join us Ruth.
July 7th, 2014 at 8:10 PM
I just want to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to observe and be a part of the moral support team, though you may not be aware of it. My 7th grade students and staff members have been keeping track of the “babies” since they hatched in May. We looked forward to every day check-ins and everyone’s posts. Unfortunately, school let out before they were able to see the crew fledge, but I have been on the edge of my seat daily watching the drama and excitement unfold. So relieved how first, Tesh’s, then N’ore’s incidents turned out. Thank you again for your dedication to the watching of these wonderful creatures and allowing us to be a part.
July 7th, 2014 at 9:06 PM
Thank you so much for the update and the fantastic pictures. Much appreciated. Annie in MT
July 7th, 2014 at 11:07 PM
Judi – How wonderful that your students were able to watch this Peregrine Falcon family. I hope that they were able to continue to watch from home after school let out.
Annie – You are very welcome!
The folks that volunteer to keep an eye on these young fledglings are an awesome bunch of folks, who truly care about them.
Tonight (7/7/14) all 4 fledglings and Beauty & Dot.ca were accounted for. Nor’easter is doing great, keeping up with his siblings. 🙂