Morning watch 3-28-15
By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
We got 1-2 inches of snow overnite and it snowed throughout my watch at varying degrees. It was 18(F) -8(C) with a brisk breeze
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I arrived on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) around 6:50am and didn’t see anyone around so I drove down to the hole to check out the Wilder green strip (WGS) and that’s where I found Beauty. I assumed Dot.ca (DC) was covering the egg that was laid yesterday afternoon at 2:46am since it’s so cold out they have to keep the egg from freezing. Full on incubation won’t start until the next to last egg is laid. Donna texted me and confirmed that DC was with his egg in the nest box. Thank you!
I drove across the street to the parking lot next to the Times Square building (TSB) for the best view of the Beautyful one. She had her eyelids closed on and off and looked around (mostly at the nest box) in the time that I shared space with her. She stretched out her wings at one point and I thought she would fly off. After a minute of thinking about it, Beauty flew off over to the deck at 7:38am.
I quick whipped across Exchange Blvd. to the hole parking lot to try and catch her and DC changing places and I managed to get a snippet of DC flying out from the nest box and as he made a big circle and returned to the deck to mate with Beauty before flying over to the Mercury money bag (MMB). It happened so quick that the cameras did not catch the mating session.
DC didn’t stay long, about 5 minutes to preen a little, poop, and off he went to the north. I caught up with him on the northwest corner of the Kodak Office Launchpad on State St.
I thought for sure DC would try to catch breakfast for him and his mate but that didn’t happen because after he left Kodak at 8:02am he apparently went to the nest box and switched with Beauty again. This, I found out way after the fact as I was looking for him, and when I couldn’t find him I decided to go home to see if I could find Billie or 99 on Seneca Towers.
Unfortunately, neither one of them were seen. Now that Beauty has laid an egg her time will be mostly devoted to keeping an eye on it and any others she lays so she will not stray far from the nest box. DC will also help with this and should continue to bring her food. This is a slow time for falcon watching unless you’re watching the cameras or livestream video on Rfalconcam. I ended my watch at 9am smiling and happy to have seen both Beauty and DC! 🙂
Click on the links below to view today’s videos
March 28th, 2015 at 2:51 PM
The waiting is always the hardest.. I hope they do a good job and keep this egg and the rest safe (read warm). I keep coming to my computer to keep an eye on the nest as if I could do something (anything) to protect the next generation.. And what will they DO? After they leave, do they write ? Do they send pictures? Hmmph!! (Chuckles!!) Thanks, MAK!!!
March 28th, 2015 at 3:31 PM
June, I wish they sent us a note saying they were alright-unfortunately we can only convince ourselves that they all made it out in the cruel world until and unless we hear something otherwise. Beauty and DC will take real good care of their eggs-this is what they live for!! 🙂
March 28th, 2015 at 9:08 PM
Oh darnation.My computer has not been working and so missed yesterday and most of today.Anyway,congratulations to Beauty and DC and best of luck to all.Am sending”warm”thoughts to them especially with this cold spell. Thanks for the news. Diane
March 29th, 2015 at 5:47 AM
So sorry Diane! Hopefully you can tune in today and see Beauty lay egg #2 sometime this afternoon/evening. 🙂
March 29th, 2015 at 11:13 AM
It’s 11 AM and that egg is uncovered..Where are those parents? Is it warm enough to leave it alone ?? Oh, good lord! I’m going to be a nervous wreck..Nervously….J.
March 29th, 2015 at 12:18 PM
Stay calm June-they only need to keep the egg from freezing at this point. Hard incubation won’t start until the next to last egg is laid. You can be sure one or both of them is nearby keeping an eye on it. It’s all good so far! 🙂
March 29th, 2015 at 12:23 PM
Thanks, MAK..I needed that!
March 29th, 2015 at 5:49 PM
We all have our anxious moments June. I assure you, the birds know what they’re doing even when we don’t! 🙂