By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

A dark, overcast morning with a temperature of 40 (F) 4 (C)-the sun came out after I ended my watch

Click on the pics to see the full version

I started my morning watch with Billie at Seneca Towers-she was on the northwest corner of the roof railing as I made my u-turn to park on Seth Green Drive.

Buffalo Billie was looking around the territory intently, almost falling off the railing once as I think 99 buzzed by her on the north side. At 7:51am 99 arrived coming up from the south and landing on the west side railing as Billie spotted him and watched as he landed.

99 started feaking and picking at his talons with a full crop making it obvious he had just eaten. They took turns stretching and preening.

<99

<Click it

Suddenly, a small falcon appeared to buzz Billie and 99 a couple times before flying to the south end and come to rest on the tall antenna. The pics of it were so dark I couldn’t really say if it was a Kestrel or a Merlin.

At this time I started getting tweets from Larry and Donna saying Beauty was on the Mercury money bag and Dot.ca (DC) was on one of the Times Square wing rings. While I was reading them Billie and 99 left the building so I headed for downtown-when I got there around 8:30am I found the Beautyful one on the Mercury money bag and Larry’s car on the Broad St. bridge, but no DC or Larry. I assumed Larry was off walking his dog Harold.

I pulled over on Broad St. by the Blue Cross Arena for the best view-the dark conditions were making for some pretty dark pics. Beauty did some stretching and preening atop Mercury and Larry appeared with Harold and came down to chat for a minute before taking off for home.

At 9:08am Beauty turned around and flew off Mercury crossing over the river to circle above it near OCSR and ended up under the northeast wing of Times Square.

I drove over to the parking lot by Times Square-the back lighting was horrible but it was the best view of Beauty.

I had to get going-I wish I had found DC but at least Larry saw him, so all 4 Rochester Peregrine Falcons were seen today. I ended my watch around 9:45am smiling! 🙂

Click on the links below to see todays videos

http://youtu.be/7b21MF-D4ik

http://youtu.be/rAv84S_sv8I

http://youtu.be/OrZWZn5POh0

http://youtu.be/JvlTSIolT8I

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

12:30 – 2:40 pm

Bring on the sunshine!  Temps in the 40’s (F).  The sun and the fresh air felt so wonderful today.

I didn’t have to search very hard for a falcon today.  As I approached the Kodak Tower from the west, I could see a falcon on the northeast corner.  I drove around to the east side and found TWO falcons on the northeast corner of the playpen.  Dot.ca was on top of the netting and Beauty was below him at the base of the playpen.

*

*

*

*

*

For the one and a half hours I watched, Beauty walked back and forth on the east side of the base of the playpen.  Dot.ca took off twice and flew around the tower.  He stooped twice and then returned to the tower.  The first time he landed on the antenna that sticks out from the northwest corner of the playpen.  The 2nd time he ended up on the east side arch ledge.  That was the only activity during my downtown watch by Beauty and Dot.ca.  Here are some pictures from my watch.  I was shooting directly into the sun which was behind the tower, so the lighting is not very good.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

I left Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower and checked Seneca Towers.  One falcon was on the northwest corner and I’m pretty sure that it was eating.  I was not able to ID this falcon.

*

*

*

*

*

I checked all sides of Seneca Towers and could not find a 2nd falcon.

I ended my watch with a stop at Russell Station where I found no falcons.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Same weather as yesterday morning-overcast but not nearly as windy-temperature 43 (F) 6 (C)

My watch began at Seneca Towers with  99 who was on a pipe at the northwest corner of the roof.  He flew off to the south at 7:52am.

I left for downtown when 99 didn’t come back. As I pulled over to look around on the Broad St. bridge I spotted a falcon on the top ibeam near the south corner of OCSR. I went down to Bank Place where it meets Aqueduct Street in the hole to identify it as Beauty.

She was mostly stretching  and looking around. After a while I decided to drive down to Graves St. by Aqueduct Park at Main St.-it puts me right below OCSR.

The Beautyful one pooped and preened and stretched and looked around some more. For not doing much, she sure was keeping busy at it, so much that it kept me entertained.

Beauty just doing the morning routine while she waits for Dot.ca to show up. I left her to look for him but I had no luck-I ended my watch at 9am. Keep smiling! 🙂

Click on the links below to see todays videos

http://youtu.be/uYlmS2HRZ1I

http://youtu.be/V79rk1-46fU

http://youtu.be/d5lfiP_YKFY

http://youtu.be/lZrX15VFQX4

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a windy but warm, overcast morning with a temperature of  43 (F) 6 (C)

Click on the pics to see the full version

I would have liked to see Billie and 99 this morning at Seneca Towers when I left home but it didn’t happen. I did however see Beauty and Dot.ca (DC) which was a great gift! I checked the elevator shaft first but didn’t see anyone up in there as I was parked at the Radisson hotel by Main St. I spotted a falcon with its back to me on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR. I thought it was DC but can’t say for sure.

I left for the hole to get a front look but he was gone when I got there, I heard vocalizing but couldn’t see anything. I thought both falcons must be around since they don’t really talk to themselves. So I took a ride to the east side and shot a couple pics- the first one is a window at St. Mary’s Church and the other is the Times Square lobby.

Just before 8am I saw Beauty on the top ibeam OCSR southeast side but she took off soon after without me seeing. I then made another trip around to look for the Beautyful one and DC and ended up taking more pics of St.Mary’s church.

Once again I returned to find Beauty on OCSR in the same spot as before and once again I parked in the hole to watch her.

Beauty flew off over the river at 8:18am turned around by the Radisson Hotel and started heading back to OCSR. I heard DC start chirping at this time and I looked up to the top ibeam of OCSR  just in time to see Beauty land next to him.

<DC>

<DC>

DC was being active-stretching, scratching, preening while Beauty stayed perched with mostly her back to me and quite content to be next to her mate.

I had to be on my way so I left our downtown dynamic duo, ending my watch with a Christmas smile at 9am!

<Click it>

Click on the links below to see todays videos
http://youtu.be/7XGLKzHYz1A

http://youtu.be/86ikdcbFNqQ

http://youtu.be/fV9yoEHnKB4

http://youtu.be/oyCwiJX1GeA

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a balmy 49 (F) 9 (C) with a slight breeze to start and light rain falling. Overcast throughout my watch but the rain stopped and the wind steadily increased

Click on the pics to see the full version

For the 4th day in a row I started my watch at Seneca Towers. As I got settled on Seth Green Drive, Billie was settled on the west side railing.

At 7;45am 99 flew in from the south and landed close to his girl-they did a quick bow then stay perched for the next hour.

<99   Billie>

They seemed more interested in looking at each other than looking for breakfast. Each of them took turns stretching and turning around and back.

Buffalo Billie did most of the stretching as a squirrel came down a tree to check me out. Billie turned her head sideways to watch 99 poop-very funny!!!

Billie spread her wings and flew south at 8:40am and about a minute later 99 dropped off the railing and into a stoop as fast as missile down the west face of Seneca Towers and out of sight.

<Billie>

<99>

I left for downtown when they didn’t come back.  In the 45 minutes I spent searching downtown for a PEFA I found some nice decorations on Alexander St.

At just about 9:30am as I was pulled over on the Andrews St. bridge, I noticed a falcon on the top ibeam north corner of OCSR. I drove down to State St. for a closer look but all I could see was its back.

This wouldn’t do-I had to see more to ID it so I crossed the river  to look from Bragdon Place by the Radisson Hotel where I was able to identify this falcon as Beauty.

She seemed like she was looking for DC to show up-I know I was, as she preened and kept an eye out on her territory.

Beauty flew southeast at 9:55am and I followed in the same direction. Leading me to the Broad St. bridge where I saw the Beautyful one flying above Xerox. I went over to Court St. across from the Court St. garage to be closer. I shot a video of her flying until she left my sights.

Once I realized Beauty had left the area I made a u-turn and drove down to the Court St. bridge where I spotted Beauty and Dot.Ca (DC) circling the Times Square building (TSB). Beauty flew to the deck and DC landed under the northeast wing of TSB. I left for the hole and when I got parked on Basin St. I heard DC chirping but couldn’t see Beauty, so I didn’t know if she had gone to the nest box or left all together.

I stayed with DC for about 10 more minutes before wrapping it up and calling it a watch at 10:25am.

I left downtown smiling after spending Christmas Eve morning with our 4 Rochester Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos
http://youtu.be/fmrEwxHmlrY

http://youtu.be/nGe-X_ZNELQ

http://youtu.be/WH2ebvjgP6o

http://youtu.be/EU3JAKExb4o

http://youtu.be/FAtjHXsHdAA

http://youtu.be/HCzK6iBYF5o

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

This morning was seasonal with a temperature of 36 (F) 2 (C) and cloudy conditions

Click on the pics to see the full version

I started my watch right out of the gate as I found Billie and 99 on the west side railing. The same as yesterday only further apart.

They stayed about 10 minutes when 99 flew off toward me then hung a left going southeast out of sight. Seconds later Billie turned around and took off to the north going into a stoop down toward the gorge. I left for downtown when they didn’t return. As I was making the rounds I took pics of a wreath at St. Mary’s Church and the tree and wreath in the Clinton Square lobby.

As I was pulled over on the Court St. bridge I spotted both Beauty and Dot.ca (DC) on Bausch & Lomb. DC was eating on a northwest corner and the Beautyful one was watching him from behind on another northwest corner with her back to me. I drove over to the east end of the Broad St. bridge (BSB) to watch them.

Around 8:10am DC finished eating and moved off the corner to do some cleaning up of his beak. Beauty flew over and took his place on the corner and began eating after he flew off to make the short flight across to the corner Beauty had just left.

Beauty finished the small bit that was left for her in about 5 minutes then she did some feaking before flying over to bump DC from his corner. He flew to the corner Beauty had just eaten on, where he was originally with his back turned to me now.

They stayed like this for the remainder of the time I stayed with them-resting and digesting their food as they stand perched on their corners. I moved to next to the Central Library on Broad St. to get a bit closer for the last minutes of my watch.

I left them to it and got on with my day, ending the watch at just about 9am. I saw all 4 Rochester Peregrine Falcons this morning sending me on my way with a smile! 🙂

Bonus pics of illie whom I saw on the west side railing of Seneca Towers this afternoon when I was out on the west side balcony of my 16th floor apartment.

Click on the links below to see todays videos
http://youtu.be/dLwYMNMNU3I

http://youtu.be/Tbo1XJD48X0

http://youtu.be/PYZxsl_nkZY

http://youtu.be/dqjW5VoSVMA

http://youtu.be/3y03CiLlIEk

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was way brighter this morning because we actually had lots of clear skies for the sun to shine thru. The temperature was 28 (F+) -3 (C) when I started my watch

Click on my pics to see the full version

Another day starts with falcons at Seneca Towers where I live. Parked on Seth Green Drive after making my u-turn I could see both Billie and 99. They were on the west side railing both facing me and pretty close to each other.

<99 Billie>

They gazed at each other on and off as they watched the territory for prey-as their crops were empty. Billie pooped and stretched a couple times.

I had to change the battery in my camera and of course as soon as I got started Billie flew off,  and just as I got the camera turned on, 99 flew south over the river  and out of view.  That’s how it goes sometimes! lol  It was after 8am so I left for downtown. I made the rounds once then I spotted Beauty under the northwest wing around 8:30am. I parked on Basin St. in the hole next to the Wilder building but she had her body perched in such a way that I mostly saw her back and caught quick glimpses of the side of her head and face when she turned her head.

I took a drive over to Broad St. behind the Times Square building for a better view but it was a worse angle than from the hole, so I returned to Basin St. Around 9:20am the Beautyful one spotted something to the east, pooped and flew off in a hurry. I lost sight of her as she reached the river. I suspect she may have seen Dot.ca and left to join him.

I took a ride around but all I found were more decorations.

I left downtown at 9:40am smiling after a quiet, laid back Monday morning falcon watch! 🙂

Click on the links below to see the videos from today
http://youtu.be/p5nJJfg-TsE
http://youtu.be/FMacWcJF4Tg
http://youtu.be/BxN1wz0qxKw

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Winter Solstice!  First day of winter.  More importantly, the days will start to get longer after today!  Woohoo!  It was 34 degrees (F) during my watch and the sun was shining through most of it.

I made my normal weekend checks at the west end of Kodak Park and the BS locations.  No falcons seen or heard at either.

When I arrived downtown, it took me awhile to find Beauty and Dot.ca.  It wasn’t until I stopped on the Andrews St Bridge that I finally found both of them on the Frontier Communication Tower (FCT).  They were both on top arms.

*

*

*

*

*

Starlings and pigeons were continuously moving about below Beauty and Dot.ca.  They were watching their every move.  A large flock of Starlings landed on the bottom arm and platform.

*

*

*

*

*

After awhile, first Dot.ca then Beauty took off heading south.

*

*

*

*

*

Five minutes later, they were both back on the Frontier Communication Tower.  This time Dot.ca was on the top arm and Beauty was on the south east box below the platform.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Dot.ca left and Beauty remained on the SE box.  I was joined by fellow watcher Kathy O.  We were parked in front of City Hall.  While we were chatting, Beauty left and Dot.ca returned, landing on the 2nd arm down.  This is where we left him, ending our downtown falcon watch.

On my way home, I stopped at Maplewood Park (across the river and a little north of Seneca Towers).  From there, I could see one falcon on the west side, near the south end of the building, on a short pipe or antenna.  The same location as yesterday.  I was too far away to identify this falcon.

Russell Station was my last stop and again there were no falcons seen at this location.  Lake Ontario was calm for a 2nd day in a row.  It was a nice ending to my weekend falcon watches!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a bit brighter this morning with mostly cloudy skies and sun breaking out on and off with a temperature of 27 (F) -3 (C)

Click on the pics to see the full version

I was treated to both Billie and 99 this morning to start my day at 7:30am. As I pulled over on Seth Green Drive I spotted Buffalo Billie on the west side railing and 99 on a pipe at the northwest corner of the roof.

They stayed like this for over half hour watching their surroundings and each other-just waking up along with me.

Just about 8am 99 flew off over the river, behind the tree and back to the south end of the building. Billie flew with him until he landed on the south end antenna. Billie flew past 99 then circled the building several times before landing the southwest corner of the roof below him.

<99

<Billie

<Click it

Around 8:15am Billie flew off to the southeast and 99 went right after her. They didn’t return so I left for downtown. On my way downtown Donna tweeted that she thought Beauty was on the Mercury money bag (MMB). Thanks to her for letting me know where to check first. I found Dot.ca (DC) there when I arrived.

DC flew off around 8:30am and ended up on the top of Times Square (TSB) on the southeast wing ring. I parked on Broad St. below as the sun came out to watch DC do some preening and stretching.

I left him to look for Beauty but I didn’t find her until I returned to see that DC was gone from the wing ring and now on the MMB with the Beautyful one below on the base of Mercury with food. I pulled over on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) to observe them

For the next 15 minutes or so Beauty worked on preparing and eating her meal while DC kept an eye on her and planned his strategy for getting some food from her. He had a pretty full crop so he really didn’t need any more to eat-or so I thought. DC flew off at 9:52am crossing the river to the east and doubling back to land by Beauty. He grabbed a small morsel and took it to the TSB to eat under the northeast wing.

Right around 10am DC finished eating and flew back over to Beauty to take more food-there was a scuffle, she held her ground this time and he flew off only to land on the other side of the base, then up onto the green for a few minutes. DC then scurried over and chased Beauty off as she took her leftovers with her.

As they got together in the air over the river DC ended up with the wing leftover-I don’t think Beauty wanted him to have it or I think she would have just left it on the base for him. Anyway, DC flew to the green part of the base of Mercury with the spoils and Beauty came over and landed on the base where she had been eating for a moment, then she flew up under the northeast wing of TSB. DC went to work on finishing off the leftovers. I chose to end my watch at this time, just shy of 10:30am.

Another great watch in the books after sharing space with all 4 Rochester Peregrine Falcons giving me good reason to smile!  🙂

Click on the links below to see todays many videos and a photo album with a few more pics
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqkHA

http://youtu.be/gW0qatiV1EI

http://youtu.be/4eIwR0KF230

http://youtu.be/nVGwPIU-SpQ

http://youtu.be/ASg-vOBaAiY

http://youtu.be/zeUHgmdn93Q

http://youtu.be/ISs0p40DCKI

http://youtu.be/azws9HIB-bY

http://youtu.be/1ZmX3aCFy7A

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

It was cold out there (temps near 30 degrees), but having a bit of sunshine made it tolerable.

REMEMBER TO CLICK ON ANY PICTURES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT LARGER

I found no falcons at the west end of Kodak Park or the BS location.  The first falcon I found was downtown.  Beauty was on the top arm of the Frontier Communication Tower (FCT).

*

*

*

*

*

Beauty took off, heading south.  From the Broad St Bridge, I could see her hunting a flock of pigeons over the river.  She ended up on top of the Mercury statue.  There was no where to park on the Broad St Bridge, so I made my way down to Aqueduct St. (aka “the hole”).

*

*

*

*

*

After Beauty took off, she headed back towards the north west.  Of course, I followed.  Tag your it!  lol

When I caught up with her, she had joined Dot.ca on the Frontier Communication Tower.  They were low on the tower, below the platform, very close to each other.

*

*

*

*

*

First Dot.ca and then Beauty took off, both heading north east.  They were a well oiled tandem hunting machine.  Both took turns stooping on the pigeons that were on the buildings near the river.

*

*

*

*

*

Their hunt moved down the river to the south so I drove over to the Andrews St Bridge.  From there I was able to watch their continued tandem hunt.  Pigeons were frantically diving and zipping around the buildings to escape them.  Beauty flew south down the river and to the other side of the OCSR.  Dot.ca landed on the  NW corner of the Radisson.  He took off and headed towards the Times Square Bldg (TSB).

*

*

*

*

*

I drove over to the Broad St Bridge and found Beauty back on top of the Mercury statue and Dot.ca on the nest box platform, next to the base of the main camera.  Since there  were no parking spots to be had, I headed back down to Aqueduct St.  I found a spot where I could see both Beauty and Dot.ca.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Dot.ca took off, heading east.  He returned, flying directly over Beauty and then headed back towards the Times Square Bldg.  At first I thought he was going to land there, but he continued past the TSB and stooped on some Starlings.  He missed catching any of them and landed on the Widows Walk railing.  Beauty remained on Mercury.

*

*

*

*

*

After awhile, both took off, this time heading northwest.  Tag!  I’m it!  Off I went in search of our very active pair of falcons.  It didn’t take me long to find them both on the Frontier Communication Tower.  Dot.ca was on the top arm and Beauty on the arm just below him.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

When they both took off, it was time for me to end my downtown watch.  I wished them good hunting and headed out.  I checked out Hawkeye, no falcons there and continued on to Seneca Towers.  I found a falcon on a short antenna or pipe on the west side, south end of the building.  Based on size, I thought it was Billie, but could not be sure.  MAK was able to see the falcon from her balcony and verified it was Billie.

*

*

*

*

*

I checked the rest of the building from all sides, but could not find a 2nd falcon.  I continued on to Russell Station, but found no falcon there.

I’ll leave you with a couple of pictures of beautiful Lake Ontario and a Christmas greeting.  Enjoy!

*

*

*

*

*