Peregrine Falcon at Kodak Park – 6/13/10
Falcon Sighting – Southend of Kodak Park – Sunday, June 13, 2010 – Falcon Watcher: Carol P.
After a busy weekend of Falcon Watching at the Times Square bldg, it was time to head home around 3:00 pm.
I was on Lake Ave heading north. Just after crossing Rte 104, I looked over at the southend of KP. There was a familiar shape on top of one of the buildings. Could it be?
I quickly found a place to park and clicked a few pictures before grabbing my binoculars. Hmmm, it looked suspiciously like a Falcon. So, far away, darn. All I could hope for was a 1/2 way decent picture, so I clicked away.
The Falcon took off and zipped around the buildings, scaring up pigeons as it passed, finally landing again, even further away. Drats!
I made an attempt to get closer, but by the time I parked my car, the Falcon was gone. After an hour of looking around the area, I gave up and headed home.
Here are a couple of pictures I was able to get, zoomed in and lightened. I’m pretty sure it was a Peregrine Falcon and based on size, a female.
Last fall we saw Mariah and at least two other Peregrines hanging out in the Kodak Park area, including a juvenile. So was this Mariah? There is no way of knowing. But, you can bet the Watchers will be keeping an eye on the area and we’ll report any further sightings.
http://picasaweb.google.com/libbymybird/PeregrineAtKodakPark61310?feat=directlink
June 15th, 2010 at 9:02 AM
What an intriguing bit of news. Mariah, maybe. If anyone would recognize Mariah it would be Carol P. and she is not committing. I tend to think it is another falcon – wishful thinking pumps for a female from a previous nesting on Kodak Tower. But this is also evidence of the recovery of peregrines, there are so many out there that any passing bird could recognize the wonderful opportunities the Park offers.
June 15th, 2010 at 7:03 PM
I sure hope it was her..have been wondering where and how she is. Her life sure changed. Kaver not coming back, Kodak tower not her home..had to be confusing..but guess nothing stays the same.I wish Beauty and Archer the same long life here.Thanks for letting us know..will keep on checking in.
June 15th, 2010 at 7:25 PM
I ditto the two previous posts, but I’m also secretly hoping it was Mariah. Hopefully we’ll know for sure one day soon. Either way, it’s very exciting to see so many falcons in the Rochester area!
June 15th, 2010 at 8:36 PM
Kodak Park is about 2-3 miles from the Mall where Mariah was seen last fall. And wasn’t an adult PF with a split wing sighted around Irondequoit Bay a while back? Irondequoit Bay is about a mile away from that Mall. There used to be a nestbox in that area. I wonder if it’s still there?
June 15th, 2010 at 10:21 PM
@Chrissy – Yes. Over the last month, there have been multiple sightings of a Peregrine (or different Peregrines) at Irondequoit Bay (by Joyce and Brian) and now KP. Jeanne also reported seeing a Peregrine flying near Mt Read Blvd. which is very close to Kodak Park. I always hope that we’ll see Mariah again. I refuse to believe that her story is over. 🙂
June 16th, 2010 at 7:10 PM
@Carol – I’m with you on that one! 😀
June 16th, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Does a falcon, whose story people cannot follow, have one? It is a question related to the one about the tree falling in the forest…
June 16th, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Hi Carol,
I loved your report and your pictures. I choose to believe this was Mariah, legendary Mariah, the Queen.
Time (and Watchers!) will tell.
See you soon, I hope,
Carla P
PS. This is the 4th time I’ve tried posting my comment (6/14@8:31 PM; 6/15@10:29PM; 6/16@6:08PM; NOW!! If it doesn’t post this time, I’ll send it by carrier pigeon, although with my luck, Archer or Beauty will decide it’s dinner for the girls!!!
June 17th, 2010 at 5:08 PM
I wonder if it was Mariah? : D Heehee. They should have fitted her with a transmitter before they released her. ;D
June 17th, 2010 at 7:54 PM
@Alison – Why of course she still has a story. Even if we don’t see Mariah, her saga continues. 🙂
@Carla P – Hmmm, I have no idea why your comment wouldn’t post. Very strange. But it made it this time and all carrier pigeons were spared. 🙂 See you soon.
June 19th, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Carol, I think you are amazing! In my heart, I know it’s Mariah. Keep up the good work.
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:57 PM
[…] various forums and our Falcon Watch blog will know that there have been occasional reports of a falcon at Kodak’s facility to the north of Kodak Office. We’ve had some thought that this […]