By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

A cloudy dark morning with a temperature of 61 (F) 16 (C)  at the start

Make sure to click on all the pics for the full version

I started my watch at Seneca Towers with Buffalo Billie. She was on the top south window ledge as I rounded the corner in my parking lot. She had her back to me at first but then turned to the side as she preened, pulling out a couple feathers and stretched. I believe Billie is molting. I left Billie at 6:15am for downtown where I drove around in circles with no falcon sightings in over an hour.

In my ventures there were flower planters on Broad St. and at the High Falls area that I thought I should share with y’all.

I stopped on the Court St. bridge and observed a Great Blue Heron that was hunting under the Broad St. bridge (BSB). He lunged into the water twice and caught a small fish the second time. Boy they’re lightning fast! 2 young ducks and a Canada Goose were over by the Rundell Library eating and enjoying the water. And of course there were gulls and ducks swimming and hanging out on logs and such. My little bunny friend was out eating grass and weeds at High Falls again too!

I had to run an errand so I left around 7:45am and soon after Pat tweeted that there was a falcon on the Mercury money bag and a few minutes later Shaky tweeted that it was on the heel of Mercury. Such is the life of a falcon watcher-anyway, when I returned I went straight to the BSB hoping this falcon would still be on Mercury. Success! Beauty was on the heel looking…well, Beautyful!

She was definitely in hunt mode as her head was turning constantly to and fro. She finally spotted something over her shoulder and slipped off the back of the heel into a stoop and disappeared behind Thomson Reuters.

I searched for Beauty unsuccessfully and didn’t have any other falcon sightings downtown or at Seneca Towers either. I ended my ladies only watch at just before 10am smiling as I was content in seeing Billie and Beauty to start and end my watch on this day! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/QVQnsx7Y_qE

http://youtu.be/vZgakJi55_4

http://youtu.be/CGVzXjzZ1MY

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

2:45 pm to 8:30 pm

It was a beautiful summer afternoon/evening with temps in the 70’s and bright sunshine.

From the Broad St Bridge, I could see that there was a falcon at the Times Square Bldg nest box.  I found a spot to park on Aqueduct St aka “the hole”.  I quickly tweeted that there was a falcon there and that I thought it was an adult.  Shaky quickly turned pan cam towards our visitor and texted that it was Cadence!  She had her back to me which looked very dark.  Plus having the sun directly in my eyes didn’t help.  lol  Here are a view pics captured by the Rfalconcam Pan Cam.

I was so happy that she was at the nest box so all her fans could see her.  🙂

She was there at 2:45 pm when I arrived for my watch and was gone at 5:25 pm.  When she turned around, I could see it was a juvie.  During the time she was there, she preened, slept, pooped and played with the wires connected to the back of the main camera.  Joyce joined me during the time Cadence was at the nest box.  Here are some pictures I took.

When Cadence took off, she headed north down Exchange to State St.  Joyce headed to the Frontier Comm Tower and Kodak Office, while I went to the Andrews St Bridge (ASB).  Joyce reported that Beauty was on the Kodak Tower’s east side launch pad. From the ASB, I saw a falcon flying over the Radisson, diving on the gulls flying over the river.  I believe it was a juvie.  I lost sight of the juvie as it passed behind the Radisson.

From the Broad St Bridge, I could find no falcons, so I decided to head to the pedestrian bridge to check out the gorge.  Joyce and Kathy O joined me there.  We saw no falcons in the gorge, but we could see Beauty up on the Kodak Tower.  Larry O joined the evening watch.

We did see two falcons flying together over the river near the OCSR.  They were talon tagging and one was larger than the other. The smaller falcon headed east and the larger one flew to the Kodak Tower.  We could see two falcons there now.  It looked like Dot.ca on the launch pad and another falcon on the south side arch ledge.  It was too dark to see if there was a 3rd one.

At 8:15 pm, the other watchers left.  I decided to drive around downtown one last time.  Both the falcons were gone from the Kodak Tower.  The only falcon I could find was on the Xerox Tower on the south side, 5th column in from the southeast corner. This was the spot that Beauty favored for her nighttime roost.  At 8:30 pm, it was too dark to see anything, so I ended my watch.

I’ll leave you with a couple of pictures I took of the towering clouds near the Kodak Tower.  Goodnight!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

The air was thick with moisture as there were pockets of fog up and down the river gorge after a night of rain with a temperature of 69 (F) 21 (C)  and dark overcast conditions

As I was getting in my car a falcon flew past me at about the 6th floor level heading south down the east side of Seneca Towers-it took a right turn and disappeared behind the building. I went out to my spot on Seth Green Dr. where I spotted an adult (I believe Billie) on the railing near the northwest corner. I looked down for a second and when I looked back up she was flying above the tree that I was parked under heading south over the river.

I was about to leave a couple minutes later when I heard a juvie. I looked up and saw him land on the roof behind the railing near the northwest corner. I thought he had food at first but he didn’t as he flew off a few minutes later and gave me a little flight show.

This juvie flew back and forth above the roof from north to south attempting to land a couple times but changing his mind and eventually flew out of view to the northeast never to return while I was there.

As I made my way down Seth Green Drive I came across a mother deer and her 2 fawns in Seth Green Park. They were eating the fruit off a crabapple tree. What a treat for them and me!

<Click><Click

I left them to it after a couple minutes to head downtown. As I was stopped in traffic on St. Paul St. just south of the Genesee Brewery I could see the Frontier Communications tower (FCT) through the trees so I took a look with my binoculars and could see a falcon on the southeast cube. I stopped on the Andrews St. bridge (ASB) for another look to make sure I was seeing a falcon before heading over to the City Hall parking lot. I was able to ID it as Dot.ca (DC) when I got there at 7am.

DC turned around facing me and after a little preening and stretching he flew rather quickly to the southeast.

I went back to the ASB where I could see DC on the Powers building near the nest box and before I could get my camera turned on he flew off heading north in my direction and went into a stoop toward the High Falls gorge around 7:30am. 5 minutes later DC was on the northeast corner of the FCT platform railing. Back to the City Hall parking lot I went.

City Hall workers were starting to come into the parking lot-a couple asked me how the falcons were doing but most of them gave me the look like I was bugging them by being there so I was getting antsy to get out of there. 10 minutes later I said-“come on DC I wanna get outta here” (it’s on the snippet video) and just as I was saying it he took off! I love it when they do what I ask!!! Haha!

I wasn’t quite sure where he went as it looked like he might have gone down to the platform but at any rate he was gone and so was I. As I was driving down Exchange Blvd. toward Broad St. I spotted a falcon on the east side railing of Widows Walk (WW) so I pulled down Bank Place to the hole where I ran into  (not literally) falcon watcher Pat. I told her there was a falcon over there and when we got out from behind the Philipone building it was gone. I then spotted who I thought was DC on one of the Irving Place chimneys-it turned out to be Beauty with food.

I got settled in over on Basin St. in the hole and 5 minutes later Cadence came flying in screaming and landed on the east side railing of WW around 8:10am. I taped a video and didn’t even notice DC down below the railing on the north side as I was focused on Beauty and Cadence.

A bit later Cadence flew down to mom and a scuffle broke out with the Beautyful one losing the battle over the food to her daughter.

Cadence started squawking at mom as she mantled the food from her. Beauty ate a tiny morsel she was able to salvage and then she flew off. Meanwhile, daddy was still on WW watching the whole ordeal.

Beauty returned a few minutes later landing on the south side railing of WW and after standing perched over the food this whole time Cadence started plucking feathers and eating.

Beauty left at some point and around 9:15am DC flew in landing next to Cadence and just watched for a minute or so and then he left without incident flying north. He probably figured if Beauty lost the food to their daughter then he didn’t stand a chance of getting it from her.

Miss Cadence finished eating around 9:30am feaked a bit then flew north with a full crop.

That’s all she wrote folks, I never saw another falcon downtown or at Seneca Towers when I got home. What a fun watch which left me with a big old smile on my face! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos-make sure to see the snippet video which shows a lot of action today

http://youtu.be/aJUttaLvYco

http://youtu.be/vOWtMrt2Zek

http://youtu.be/qtYRz_iQaks

http://youtu.be/RWhR_Yjv0dI

http://youtu.be/9l20ZtirO0o

http://youtu.be/Ky9Aa4prtRw

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

2:00 – 4:15 pm

Dark clouds were moving in quickly.  It was raining when I arrived on the pedestrian bridge.  From the bridge I spotted a falcon on the Radisson.  Too far away to ID or even say if it was an adult or juvie.

By the time I arrived at the Radisson the falcon was gone.  Of course.  🙂

I ended up on the Broad St Bridge where I spotted a falcon on the NE corner of Thomson Reuters.  Sorry Pat, I said NW corner in my tweet.  This was definitely a juvie.  Dark sky and rain made it hard to figure out if this was Cadence or Genesee.  But, after checking my pictures, I believe it was Genesee.  I could not see blue tape on the USFW band.

Genesee was hyper-sensitive to all his surroundings.  He watched the pigeons, gulls, ducks and geese as they flew below him over the river.  Especially the pigeons.

At 3:15 pm, he took off heading north, flying low over the river.  I lost sight of him when he passed behind the OCSR.  I searched for Genesee, but could not find him or any other falcons.  It started to pour, so I headed home, stopping at ST for a quick look.  No falcons seen there either.

Lots of rain forecast for Rochester tonight.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day to search for our falcons.  I was very happy to have seen Genesee today.  🙂

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Another banner morning weather wise with bright blue skies, sunshine and a temperature of 60 (F) 16 (C)

Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon after Carol reported seeing a juvie chasing an adult over Maplewood Park I stepped out on the west side balcony to have a look. From there I saw Seth on the south side ledge of the bridge with a small package. He was panting in the hot sun and it seemed he was looking to give the food away as he stood over it looking around.

After a few minutes Seth flew to the east end of the bridge and cached his chunk of meat then flew south just above the tree tops over Seth Green Park where I lost him.

This morning (Monday) I stepped out into the elevator hallway of my 16th floor at Seneca Towers and saw a falcon fly past when I looked toward the west side balcony. It was flying to the north but when I got out there it was nowhere to be found. I didn’t see any falcons on the building when I got out in my car to check the perimeter either.

Arriving downtown around 6:15am it wasn’t until I crossed the river to the east side that I saw a falcon. While stopped at Main and Cortland St. I spotted a falcon just as it took off from the top rung of the RGS antenna heading northwest-it went into a stoop over the Sibley’s building, quickly leaving my field of vision. Around 6:45am I pulled over on State St. just in time to see Dot.ca (DC) stoop off the northeast corner of the Kodak Office (KO) launchpad. He was headed toward the river gorge and half a minute later he returned with no prey.

DC turned his back to me as I was on State St. near Platt St. so I drove down to State and Brown St. for a better angle on Mr. Clean.

After scratching and preening a little DC flew northeast at 6:54am-that would be the last I would see of him or any other falcon for the next 2 hours.

At 9am, while pulled over on the Andrews St. bridge I spotted his whiteness on the top I beam north corner of OCSR.

DC stretched his wings and legs and settled down so I decided to head home to see if I could catch a falcon there.

Unfortunately, I struck out at home and ended my watch at about 9:30am. DC was the only falcon that wanted to share space with me on this day and that’s alright because seeing a falcon at all is reason to smile! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/CaYy9uHox-w

http://youtu.be/FSnSIQxC81s

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

11:30 am – 4:30 pm

Cool mornings, cool evenings and warm afternoons.  I do love summertime!

I was out on Friday and only saw two falcons, both from the pedestrian bridge.  Too far to be able to tell if they were adults or juvies.  I saw one land on an antenna on top of a building east of HSBC.  Not sure what building this is.  The other falcon was on the Frontier Communication Tower below the platform.  These are the only two falcons I saw on Friday.

Sunday, 8/9/15 – My watch started at 11:30 am today.  On my way downtown, I first checked out Seneca Towers and Hawkeye. No falcons were seen at either location.

Downtown, I found Beauty on the Frontier Communication Tower, below the platform on the north side.  She was looking very dark, so I brought out my scope to make sure it wasn’t a juvie.  Nope, definitely Beauty.

Dot.ca was on the Powers Bldg.

I drove all over downtown, but was unable to find Cadence or Genesee.  It was time to head for the gorge.

There was a car show at the Genesee Brewery, so I had to find a parking spot on the west end of the pedestrian bridge.  From there, I made my way to the east end of the bridge.  Lots of folks and lots of really cool cars.  I found my falcon watcher dream car.  See the silver beauty in the 3rd picture below.  🙂

I spent a couple hours on the pedestrian bridge, enjoying the sunshine and a band playing 50’s/60’s music.  Awesome!  Of course it would have been a lot better if two juvies we know and love made their way into the gorge.  So I just sat back and enjoyed the afternoon.

At 3:00 pm, I drove around downtown one last time, but found no juvies.  So I ended my downtown watch at 3:45 pm.

On my way home, I again stopped to check out the Seneca Tower (ST) falcons.  I stopped at Maplewood Park, which is across the river to the northwest of ST.  From the parking lot, I had a distant view of Seneca Towers, but a nice view of the area.  I could see one falcon at the north end at the base of the railing.  As I was starting to tweet that, the beautiful sound of a juvie vocalizing filled the air.  Directly above me was a juvie attempting to catch up with an adult that was much higher.  The adult flew west and the juvie followed.  I was just so thrilled to finally see and hear a young falcon! 🙂

I next checked out the east end of Kodak Park, near the Research Labs.  The only raptor I found was a Red-tailed Hawk on a smoke stack catwalk.  It was time to end my watch.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a mostly sunny morning with a few clouds in the sky and a temperature of 53 (F) 12 (C)

Joyce came over last night thirsty to see a juvie and she wasn’t disappointed as Sellie showed up along with daddy Seth. They both took turns flying at the tree top level of the gorge trees below us from the 16th floor west side balcony. Sellie landed on the south side bridge ledge and Seth brought food to Sellie-he grabbed the food and flew off with it. Seth flew east then Sellie returned to eat his snack. He remained on the bridge until dark and we called it a night.

My morning watch started with big beautiful Buffalo Billie on her south side top window ledge. She did a couple stretches while I was there but mainly just stood there perched.

I left for downtown and just about 7am while I was pulled over on the south side of the Broad St. bridge (BSB) I watched a few pigeons fly thru acting all frantic and nervous and right behind them came Beauty-the reason for their behavior. She made a couple attempts at catching one near the Court St. bridge but missed and reversed her flight back past me heading northwest. That was fun for a few seconds but it would be another hour before I found the Beautyful one again-I occupied my time by watching the shore birds between the Court St. bridge and BSB for a bit. There were 2 Great Blue Herons, a Black-crowned night Heron, ducks, geese and gulls.

<Click it

I spotted Beauty from Main St. around 8am on the RGS antenna-I drove over to Lawn St. to observe as she was still in hunt mode looking to and fro. Occasionally she would preen and rouse (shake her whole body)-she shook a couple white down feathers out of her on one rouse.

My time with Beauty was short-lived as she flew northwest after 20 minutes or so. I never did find her or any other falcons.

I checked the High Falls gorge on my way out of downtown-the Genesee Brewery was setting up for an event and had the parking lot blocked off so I drove right up to the east end of the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge to park. There was nothing going on in the gorge so I left for home. After checking the perimeter of Seneca Towers I had no falcon sightings there so I ended my watch at 9am. Keep smiling everyone! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/zKz48cx_V-E

http://youtu.be/ECNF2yT1JOY

http://youtu.be/jSLmuOZD_wU

http://youtu.be/YtvXxor3yFc

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a deja vu kind of morning weather wise as the temperature was the same as yesterday at 55 (F) 13 (C)  but not quite as clear with a few clouds around to accompany the sun

For the 4th morning in a row I could find no falcons at Seneca Towers, however, I heard a juvie whining when I stepped out on the west side balcony at 5:50am. So they’re around, just not when I am.

I found Beauty on the RGS antenna as I made my way over to the east side after checking downtown. I parked on East Ave. so the sun would be at my back for good lighting. The Beautyful one cooperated by facing that way as well. There were lots of pigeons on the sidewalks that she was eye balling as she preened and stretched.

Beauty continues to pull out white down feathers as she is in a molt-she spends a lot of time preening and plucking.

I spent about 40 minutes with Beauty then left to look for more falcons at 7am. I wasn’t disappointed as I spotted Dot.ca (DC) on the top east side arm of the Frontier Communications tower (FCT). I pulled over on Fitzhugh St. in front of the Sister Cities parking garage where they were packing in the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Traffic was very busy downtown for a Saturday morning with them in town for a revival at the Blue Cross Arena.

DC too was preening and stretching and he pulled a couple white down feathers out so he could very well be molting as well now.

DC switched arms over to the west side top arm when I wasn’t looking, then a couple minutes later he flew out and back to the east side arm once again around 7:30am

.

At 7:56am DC dove off going into a stoop heading east toward the river. I lost sight of him quickly behind the garage.

I headed east after checking the rest of downtown with no luck until I spotted a juvie on a short RGS antenna and dad was above on the tall RGS antenna middle rung. I parked on East Ave. again as they were both facing that way. The juvie turned out to be Genesee and he was whining up a storm as he stand perched with a full crop.

<Click it

DC flew east around 8:25 am and a half minute later Genesee spread his gorgeous juvie wings and flew east after dad.

I drove around the east side near East Main St. and the University Ave. area but to no avail, I couldn’t find them. After a check of downtown with no other sightings I left for Seneca Towers. As I was crossing the Veterans Memorial Bridge I spotted a falcon on the north end of the building but by the time I pulled over it was gone and there were no others around. I ended my watch at 9am-but hold the presses, I just heard a juvie whining outside my living room window. I must go check-be right back. Nope, can’t see anybody from the west or east balconies. Still, reason enough to put a smile on this watcher’s face!! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/XM1HAXJUSHs

http://youtu.be/8JFFFN0XSr8

http://youtu.be/mi64DnDZrYk

http://youtu.be/GkkUOlYElhY

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was 55 (F) 13 (C) degrees when I stepped out this morning. There were blue skies and bright sunshine after the sun came up

Seneca Towers was quiet for the 3rd morning in a row-no falcons to be found. Once downtown, I came across Beauty eating on the southeast corner of HSBC. The sun was making her look golden from behind as I was parked on Chestnut St. in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial park.

She finished eating after a few minutes then did some feaking and flew off over to the RGS antenna just like yesterday morning. I parked next to HSBC on Broad St. to observe

At 6:34am the Beautyful one flew west

From the Andrews St. bridge (ASB) I saw a falcon flying around the Frontier Communications tower (FCT). I drove over to the City Hall parking lot but didn’t see it, but when I drove down and parked on Fitzhugh St. in front of the Sister Cities parking garage I spotted Cadence on the south side platform railing of FCT.

She was mostly looking north in between a few scratches. I looked north with my binoculars and could see a falcon on the west side peaked roof of Kodak Office. Just as I got my camera in position to snap off a pic the falcon flew off to the west. A few minutes later at 7am Cadence stooped down toward Plymouth Ave. and never resurfaced from behind the Frontier building.

I took a ride around in search of and as I was stopped in traffic from the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention at the Blue Cross Arena I spotted Beauty on the 3rd arm of the jail tower. I parked on the Court St. bridge and clicked off a couple pics.

I had to leave to fulfill a commitment at that time and when I returned I could find no sign of a falcon either downtown or at Seneca Towers when I arrived there. I ended my watch at 9am smiling for seeing at least 2 falcons this morning. 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/yeZjsw31rYY

http://youtu.be/E2P1QkBLF3w

http://youtu.be/kU97HHmca7o

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

11:00 am – 6:30 pm

Temps in the mid-70’s (F) and partly cloudy.  A perfect day!

Watchers During this Time: Dana, Dan, Larry O, Joyce, Susan, Brian and Carol P.

At 11:00 am, I joined my friend and fellow watcher Dana on the pedestrian bridge.  She had spotted Beauty in the Falcon Sucking Tree (FST), a dead tree hanging over the top of the east side gorge wall.  Beauty would not be the last Peregrine Falcon to visit this popular spot during my watch.

Beauty remained there for about 1 1/2 hours.  Dana and I went into the Brewery for lunch and when we returned to the pedestrian bridge a little before 1:00 pm, Dan was there, checking out the falcon in the FST.  We joined him, thinking that it was Beauty, but surprise, surprise, Genesee had replaced his mom.  lol  Genesee didn’t stay long.  He took off, heading west.  He gained altitude to climb over some buildings and headed towards the Kodak Tower.  He landing on the southeast corner of the 15th floor.  As we watched him, he walked around to the south side and pulled out a food cache.  It looked like a wing.  Genesee brought it back out to the east side ledge and ate a small meal. (1:10 pm)

At 1:40 pm, Genesee finished eating and returned the wing to where he had found it.  He then took off and returned to the gorge, landing on the FST.  Larry O and his two grandchildren joined us.

2:30 pm – Genesee left the FST and flew in front of the falls.  He turned back and skimmed the water in front of the trees on the south side of the island below.  He never came out the other side of the trees.  I walked down to the east end of the bridge and found Genesee in a tree on the island.  We all agreed that he had chased something into the trees.  He is definitely attempting to hunt and I would not be surprised that he has been successful.

Genesee left the tree and flew towards the east side gorge wall.  Over the next 1/2 hour, he landed on 4 different spots on the wall.  It is very difficult to find a falcon on this wall.

At about 3:10 pm, Genesee took off for the 5th time and flew along the gorge wall, then landed in the FST.  He wasn’t alone. We were very surprised to see Cadence there!  We never saw her arrive.  Both juvies were looking towards the gorge wall. Something had their attention.  We soon found out what it was when a squirrel walked down the limb towards Genesee and scared him off! Genesee quickly returned to the FST, landing behind Cadence, who had not moved, and the squirrel was gone.

3:20 pm – Genesee took off, quickly flying west.  He met up with Dot.ca just south of the Kodak Tower and there was a food exchange between them.  Genesee took his meal towards the Frontier Communication Tower and Dot.ca landed on the Powers Bldg.  Cadence remained on the FST.

Joyce, Susan and Brian joined the watch.  We spotted an adult falcon on the Kodak Tower, south side arch ledge.  We thought it was Beauty.

After awhile, Cadence took off and flew over the river, diving on the gulls, ducks and geese.

She returned towards the FST, passed it and landed on the BOWED TREE!  I had been waiting a very long time to see a falcon land there.  Finally a falcon on the Bowed Tree, which is a dead tree limb off the east side gorge wall closer to the pedestrian bridge.  She remained there for a long time, checking out the people waking by on the bridge, the deer walking below her and the small birds that flew by her.  Oh, and how could she resist the lose piece of bark in front of her.  This girl does love to chew on things.  lol

Cadence again took off, this time flying under the bridge.  Dana and Brian quickly walked to the other side of the bridge to see if she went through, but she did not.  Cadence had landed under the bridge.  Another spot we had seen many falcons land in the past.  From the east end of the bridge, we had a very good view of her.

Many of the juvies have markings on the back of the heads that look like a face.  Doesn’t it look like Cadence has eyes in the back of her head?  🙂

At about 5:50 pm, Cadence left the gorge, heading south towards downtown.  The only falcon in sight now was Beauty on the Kodak Tower.

6:15 pm – We spotted a falcon zipping in from the east.  It went supersonic as it stooped into the gorge in front of us.  A juvie named Genesee had arrived in the gorge.  He didn’t stay long.  After chasing the gulls for a few moments, he flew over the falls and headed south towards downtown.  Well, that was a fun way to end my 7 1/2 hour watch!

Many people stopped by to ask what we were looking at and were thrilled to see our young falcons.  Every day we see our two juvies is a gift.  I am so happy that so many watchers were on hand to see both juvies and adults.  It was a wonderful day for a Falcon Watch!  Goodnight!