Morning watch 1-24-15
By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
Carbon copy of yesterday morning-overcast, light wind and a temperature of 25 (F) -4 (C)
Click on the pics to see the full version
As I got settled in my spot on Seth Green Drive I spotted 99 on the northwest corner of Seneca Towers. I could only see about half of him but I think seeing half a falcon is better than none!
At exactly 8am 99 flew south and so did I to get downtown and see what Beauty and Dot.ca (DC) were up to this morning.
Nobody was in the elevator shaft so I took a ride around and found Beauty on the Bausch & Lomb building as I was on Broad St. returning from the east side. She was on one of the northeast corners just finishing up a meal as she started feaking soon after I pulled over next to Midtown.
Beauty continued to clean up and when she was ready flew off to the west toward Times Square (TSB) while I was taping her. I followed behind and found the Beautyful one on the corner of the deck next to the main cam near the nest box. I went down to the hole after also spotting DC above her under the northeast wing of TSB.
A minute later Beauty went up on top of the main cam and this is how it stayed for the next 45 minutes or so.
DC remained pretty much motionless except for moving his head once in a while to check out his mate below-he had his back to me from where I was located.
I went for coffee and of course Beauty left while I was gone-I didn’t know if she left the building or went into the nest box so I drove up on the Broad St. bridge where I could see if she was in it. She wasn’t in the nest box that I could see so I took a ride around downtown to find her with no success. I went back to hang out with DC for a little longer, parking in the lot next to the TSB below him. He stretched a couple times and I thought he might take off but instead he settled in to relax some more.
I ended my watch 2 hours after I started it at 9:40am leaving a quiet falcon world which always puts a smile on this falcon watchers face! 🙂
Click on the links below to see todays videos
http://youtu.be/J03tXw8PvBI
January 24th, 2015 at 3:21 PM
So they are looking at the nest box already..Earlier than I remembered.. Shivers of excitement.!!! J.
January 24th, 2015 at 4:34 PM
Quiet watches can be a good thing. Not all excitement is positive.
Speaking of which, Pigott’s dad Surge was picked up and taken to the OWL foundation today. It appears he was in a battle with another bird. He is 13 and has been the resident male at the Sheraton site for several years. Last year was the first year that he and Madame X (who will be 16 this year) did not have any eggs hatch.
I really hope he will be all right. Love watching them, hate the battles and hearing bad news.
Looking forward to warm weather, eggs and babies!
January 24th, 2015 at 9:44 PM
A quick update on Pigott’s dad Surge…he was taken in by Animal Control, and then transferred by one of Hamilton’s Falconwatch volunteers to the Owl Foundation.
His right nostril is punctured, there is damage to his right cere, and he has a scratch on his cornea. He’s under the care of experts at the Foundation and may be there for a little while as they monitor how his injuries could affect his eating. Despite this, Surge weighed in at a very healthy 781 grams when he was being assessed. They thought he was a female at first he’s so big!
The Owl Foundation is a charity and does not receive government funds to cover the costs of caring for injured birds. Falconwatch will be paying for Surge’s food during his stay. He’ll be eating quail while he’s there.
Sounds tasty, maybe I’ll join him!
A huge thank you to all who watch over Peregrines, give them a helping hand when they need it and share pictures and reports with the rest of us who can’t be there in person!
Nice to see B & DC have been hanging out at the nest box.
January 25th, 2015 at 12:53 AM
Exciting times ahead for sure June. 🙂
January 25th, 2015 at 12:57 AM
Beth, I was sorry to hear about Surge. I was aware of all of this but thank you for informing me/us of what has transpired. I pray that Surge recovers from his injuries quickly and well enough to be returned to the wild to fly free once again. 🙂