By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was dark, overcast and snowing throughout my watch with a temperature of 25 (F) -4 (C)

I managed to see 3 Peregrine falcons today-2 I could identify and one I could not! After finding an empty elevator shaft I drove over to the Broad St. bridge where I spotted a falcon on a northeast corner of Bausch & Lomb. In the low light snowy conditions I knew I wasn’t close enough to ID this Peregrine so I drove around to the east side and stopped on Broad St. by Midtown.

I was looking at the back of the bird so my next move was up to the top of the South Ave. garage. Just as I got up there and stopped the falcon flew off B&L right above me and heading northwest toward OCSR. Back down to the ground I went and over to the Radisson Hotel by Main St. where I found a falcon on the south side ledge of the elevator shaft, and guess what-it had its back to me!

I couldn’t see much better with my binoculars so I couldn’t positively identify it as any more than a falcon. I went down to Bragdon Place to check the north side ledge but only thought that I could see the form of a falcon tucked way in-couldn’t say for sure. That was about the size of my downtown watch today as I left at 8:30am. I thought that would be the end of my falcon watch but after going to the grocery store I spotted Billie and 99 on the north side of Seneca Towers on the top (22nd floor) window ledge from the intersection of St. Paul and East Ridge Road. I pulled into the parking lot of the Northridge Church to observe.

They were very close to each other as they stand perched in the snow, watching their surroundings and each other.

I made a video of them and tweeted it out-when I looked back up there they were both gone. I saw them for less than 5 minutes but it was enough to send me home smiling at 9:40am! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/6YSLq889aE0

http://youtu.be/JfUZqlpTbhM

http://youtu.be/wtmFbQ57Hfo

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Another cold, wind swept day in Rochester with snow flurries on and off and a temperature of 13 (F) -11 (C)

Timing is everything in watching falcons and this morning I had it! As I pulled over on Bragdon Place I caught Beauty flying into the OCSR elevator shaft and land on the north side ledge.  Dot.ca (DC) flew out immediately after, only to fly over to the top ibeam southeast side and start eating. I drove around the block and parked at the Radisson Hotel by Main St. where I could see both of them. It was obvious that Beauty had just eaten as she was feaking and cleaning her talons. So I figured DC was eating her leftovers.

Beauty turned around so I could see her crop-it could be seen pretty good in the darkness of the elevator shaft and it was full. Whitey, er I mean, DC in the meantime was enjoying a nice piece of fresh red meat.

I had to leave to give a friend a ride and when I returned around 8:30am DC was gone from the ibeam and planted on the north side ledge of the OCSR elevator shaft where the Beautyful one had been located before I left.

So where did Beauty go!? Well, I drove down to the north end of the Radisson Hotel on Bragdon Place where I could see the south side ledge of the elevator shaft and voila there she was with her back to the world.

DC ended up turning his back to the world as well so I called it a watch and headed out at 9:30am. No falcons seen at Seneca Towers today but that didn’t keep me from smiling since I did see our resident downtown Peregrine Falcon pair! 🙂

Click on the link below to see my one video from today’s watch

http://youtu.be/KulHAXul9Ac

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was 14 (F) -10 (C) with snow flurries and sun on and off

Click on the pics to see the full version

As I arrived on Bragdon Place to check the OCSR elevator shaft I was shocked that there were no falcons on the ledges. I was happy to see one out and about on the top ibeam southeast side, so I drove around to the south end of the Radisson Hotel to observe. The falcon had its back to me so I couldn’t positively ID it though I had a feeling it was Beauty.

So I drove over to Bank Place where it meets Aqueduct St. in the hole to get a front view and knew right away it was the Beautyful one from her glowing salmon colored chest.

This wasn’t close enough for me so I then drove down to Graves St. right across Main St. from OCSR and next to Aqueduct Park. It started to snow while there but I got a couple good pics.

Beauty had enough as the snow intensified-she turned around then took off for the elevator shaft. I drove back over to the Radisson Hotel by Main St. where I could see that she came to rest on the north side ledge.

After 15 minutes passed I spotted Dot.ca (DC) over on the top ibeam southeast side-I got my camera fixed on him just in time to get him flying off. He flew past Beauty a couple times then went in the 3rd time landing on the south side ledge.

Knowing Beauty and DC would be in there a while I opted to leave hoping to see a falcon or two at Seneca Towers when I arrived home. Well, I wasn’t disappointed as I checked from Seth Green Drive and saw a falcon on the top window ledge of the south end of the building. I went to the south end of my parking lot to share space with Buffalo Billie.

Billie was actively looking around her surroundings. She took time out to do a little stretching and scratching.

Billie zeroed in on something to the south then turned and flew off heading to the northeast at 9:19am over the town of Irondequoit.

Billie didn’t return so I called it a watch at 9:30am. What a great watch today as not only did I see 3 falcons but I also saw 3 falcons fly as well. Something I haven’t seen for a while and most certainly reason to smile! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/UkSRMrtZ0Fk

http://youtu.be/8VU4QfVzlW0

http://youtu.be/dflJhtqX2oo

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Another overcast morning with snow falling but much warmer with a temperature of 26 (F) -3 (C)

One of these days I’m going to see more than a couple falcons in the OCSR elevator shaft-until then I’ll just have to be happy with just seeing them. lol So I checked the south side ledge first from Bragdon Place and found Beauty facing out with food in her crop.

While I was taping the Beautyful one she turned around and that’s all the action I saw today. haha! She did show me that there was food in her crop which is always a good thing.

At one point I thought Dot.ca (DC) was tucked way in on the same ledge as Beauty but couldn’t be sure. The snow slowed down a bit but that didn’t help to see way back in there. I decided to go get some coffee and when I returned DC was on the north side ledge facing out and Beauty had her back to me as I pulled over in the Radisson Hotel driveway where I could see both of them.

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I hung out a few more minutes until I noticed an eyelid closed on DC, so with that I decided to call it a watch.

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This is the lull before the storm that is the beginning of the Peregrine season-soon the hormones will be raging and I’ll be back to chasing them all over the place. Until then, I’ll just keep on watching and smiling! 🙂

Click on the links below to see the days videos

http://youtu.be/ZXFex1BpLvo

http://youtu.be/OLLDl9-RD9Y

http://youtu.be/GhQt3XG8Jf8

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a sunny start with a temperature of 2 (F) -17 (C) and a breeze making the wind chill factor -15 (F)

We had a snow storm yesterday that brought high winds and over a foot of snow and right behind it came another arctic blast of cold air, so I didn’t expect to see either one of our downtown pair out and about this morning. I chose to take the day off since I probably wouldn’t have been able to see our beloved falcons anyway. Today, as I arrived to check the OCSR elevator shaft I found Mr. Whiteness himself-Dot.ca (DC). He was on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR having breakfast.

Beauty wasn’t in the elevator shaft and so I only stayed with DC for a few minutes before leaving him to look for the Beautyful one. I’m always a little anxious after a storm to find them and ease my mind that they are alright.

I checked around downtown to no avail and ended up back where I started-checking the elevator shaft. On the north side ledge was a small falcon with his back to me all tucked in and ready for a nap. This was DC who had finished eating while I was gone searching for his mate.

I then proceeded to check the south side ledge, stopping in the Radisson Hotel’s driveway. Beauty was there turned to the side enough that I could see her sweet face when she turned her head.

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Beauty preened for a short couple minutes then tucked her head into her wing over her shoulder-a technique I believe is to keep warm. I think I saw her eye lid closed as well.

I was content in knowing they survived the storm and were doing well up in their hideaway so I ended my watch at 8:45am. I wish I had seen Billie and 99 but they were nowhere on Seneca Towers either before or after my downtown watch. I did see one of them yesterday afternoon outside my apartment window flying south to north. I’m sure they both made it through the storm just fine. These falcons sure do make me smile! 🙂

Click on the links below to view today’s videos

http://youtu.be/_yzv2GMeRLQ

http://youtu.be/8su7CzVrTVw

http://youtu.be/fQYRtWnrO38

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Rochester is under a Winter Storm Warning which stays in effect from 4 pm this afternoon to 7 pm tomorrow.  They are calling for a possible foot of snow by the end of the storm.

My watch started at 11 am and ended at 1 pm.  It was snowing.  It was cold (17 degrees F).  A typical winter day in Rochester!  lol

OK, on with the watch.

My first stop was the west end of Kodak Park.  I checked the stacks the best I could in the snow, but I could not find any falcons.

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Since I had no luck at KPW, I headed downtown.  Both Beauty and Dot.ca were up inside the OCSR elevator shaft, one on the south ledge and one on the north ledge.  They both had their backs to me. so I was not able to tell which was which.  I was just happy to find both of them safe and out of the weather.

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I stopped by Frontier Field, which is next to the Kodak Tower and couldn’t help hoping for spring to come soon.  Play Ball!

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My next stops were Hawkeye (no falcons seen there) and Seneca Towers, where I found two falcons on top of the window ledge at the south end of the building.  I assumed them to be Billie and 99.

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I continued my search for falcons.  At Russell Station, I found no falcons, but from there I could see that the ice on Lake Ontario was a lot further out from the shore than it had been last weekend.  The waves were crashing against the ice.

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I checked the ponds on my way home.  All were totally iced over.  First Buck Pond.  Then Long Pond and Cranberry Pond. which was be used by people ice fishing and playing on the ice.  Looked like they were having a lot of fun!

I was very happy to have found all 4 Rochester Falcons safe and sound during my Sunday watch.

Keep warm and safe everyone!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

There was a light snow falling with overcast conditions and a temperature of 23 (F) -5 (C)

I was out for an hour and a half, spending most of that time looking for falcons. Upon my third check of the OCSR elevator shaft I spotted a falcon on the north side ledge around 8:20am. The snow that was falling kept me from identifying who it was although I think it was Dot.ca considering the size and what I could see of the white feathers. There may have been another falcon tucked in behind on the north side but can’t say for sure. There definitely wasn’t anybody on the south side ledge.

My phone was acting up-not sending tweets out until half hour after I sent them. Snow was falling, all I could see was the back of a falcon and so I ended my watch at 9am. I wasn’t done yet though, as I stopped on the Driving Park bridge to check out the Lower Falls. To my surprise there was a guy at the top of the frozen falls holding onto a rope that was secured in the ice that went down the falls to another guy at the bottom. He was preparing to climb the falls-I started taping but he was taking too long so I left after 5 minutes because I was freezing! The falls were flowing a bit more than the last time I visited and they made me smile as I left for home at Seneca Towers! 🙂

Click on the links below to see some wintry videos

http://youtu.be/GabdbAuaByI

http://youtu.be/kNHvmuBWTXY

http://youtu.be/lwhAcpbxNEQ

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Well here we are, the last day of January.  It was a very cold and snowy month.  Today was no exception.  Lots of snow on the ground and temps in the single digits when I woke up this morning.  Today I started my watch at noon and ended it at 2:00 pm.

My first stop was the Kodak Park West location.  I found a falcon on the lower catwalk of the west stack on the north side.

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I remained there for about a 1/2 hour, hoping to see the falcon fly and possibly come a little closer.  I would love to ID this falcon.  Was it a winter visitor or was one of our local falcons using this area for hunting?

My next stop was downtown, which was extremely busy.  I found a spot down on Aqueduct St. (aka “the hole”).  From there I could see one falcon on the south side of OCSR on the top IBeam.  After checking my pics, I believe this was Beauty.  Dot.ca was up inside the elevator shaft on the south ledge.  It was bitter cold, with very bright sunshine, which made it very hard to ID the falcons while I was there.

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They seemed to be settled in their spots, so I drove over to the Genesee Brewery to check out the High Falls area.  The falls, river and surrounding area was beautiful in the bright sunlight.  The river is mostly covered in ice.  I was amazed to see all the animal tracks crossing the frozen river.

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On my way back to my car, I spotted a deer on the gorge wall below the Genesee Brewery.  She was high above the frozen river foraging for food on the snow covered ground.  Yikes!  I was truly amazed to see how sure footed she was.

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After leaving the High Falls, I checked Hawkeye, Seneca Towers and Russell Station.  I found no falcons at any of these locations.  Hope everyone is keeping warm!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Another coolish morning with a starting temperature of 9 (F) -13 (C) overcast skies and light snow falling after I arrived downtown

After finding no falcons in the OCSR elevator shaft I was greeted at the intersection of Broad St. and Exchange Blvd. by police cars and officers placing cones all around the area for an event at the Blue Cross Arena. With no falcons seen from there I then went to the east side and came up empty there as well. I made my way over to the Andrews St. bridge where I spotted Beauty on the south side arch of the Kodak Office tower (KO), so I drove down State St. stopping below KO.

Beauty was watching something below very intently-I thought perhaps a pigeon was trying to hide from her by the Kodak letters on the buildings roof.

She was bobbing her head like crazy trying to focus in on whatever it was and I thought she would take off after it but she settled down to do a little preening. At 8:30am the Beautyful one must have seen Dot.ca (DC) go into the elevator shaft for she flew off heading toward OCSR to the south.

I followed behind, going to Bragdon Place first to check the south side elevator ledge. I believe it was DC because of the white I was seeing but it could have been Beauty too. I then went to the Radisson Hotel near Main St. to check the north side ledge and way in with their back to me was the other half of our downtown pair.

There was no way to tell who was on that ledge but the important thing is I saw both of our downtown Rochester Peregrine Falcons on watch this morning. I ended my watch at 9am as it was obvious they were down for the count. Keep smiling! 🙂

FYI-I recently wrote a letter to the owner/s of Seneca Towers asking if they would consider allowing the placement of a nest box on the roof for Billie and 99. I received a response from them stating they cannot entertain my request but they would alert their staff to not disturb the falcons if they nest on the roof.

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/jk7hr6SjNrc

http://youtu.be/WLjwygTvuqw

http://youtu.be/zAxC61XWQTA

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

We got 3-4 inches of snow overnight and it’s still snowing lightly as I write this report. The temperature when I left for my morning watch was 29 (F) -2 (C) it dropped 6 degrees while I was out and there was a strong wind out of the north.

It wasn’t much of a watch today as Beauty and Dot.ca (DC) were hunkered down in the OCSR elevator shaft for the most part. When I first arrived parking by the Radisson Hotel near Main St. I saw one falcon and wasn’t sure if I was seeing a 2nd falcon tucked back in on the north ledge because it was snowing too hard to see clearly. Finally I got a good look and could identify DC on the end of the ledge and Beauty tucked in on the same ledge.

My camera was having lots of trouble focusing on anything but the snow so there is no snippet movie today and very few pics. I was able to see through my binoculars that the Beautyful one was eating as DC watched. He made 2 attempts to grab it from her then he flew out and over to the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR.

The snow had lightened up and with his bright whiteness there was no missing DC up there.

Beauty came out from the depths of the ledge after she was done eating and with her back to me started cleaning herself up. Somehow without me seeing him, DC managed to fly back into the elevator shaft going to the south side across from his mate. I didn’t know where he was until I drove down to Bragdon Place where I could see that side of the elevator shaft. Always the sneaky one!

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I ended my watch at this point as I didn’t think there would be much going on with these two. It was a sweet little watch with our dynamic duo that sent me off with a smile at 9am! 🙂

Click on the link below to see the one and only video for today

http://youtu.be/PaFvtG2n98I