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Archive for February, 2009

A Banded Tiercel Visits the Powers Bldg – 2/25/09

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

It was a gorgeous day yesterday.  By the time I arrived downtown at 11 am, Dana had already seen the Tiercel on the Powers Bldg.  We called Lisa McK to take a look at the cameras to see if they had caught him.  She had also seen them both sitting on the communication tower.

When I arrived, Mariah was up inside the elevator shaft and the Tiercel was on the top I-Beam of old Changing Scene’s Restaurant (OCSR).  They both took off and we were unable to find them.  So, we joined Dan S, Lisa McK, and Jim P on the pedestrian bridge.

Around 12:30 pm, Mariah flew in with food and landed on the north end of the Cross Rds Bldg.  Dana, Lisa and I drove over to the Andrews St. Bridge for a closer look.  Dana and I walked up to the building, while Lisa remained in her car.  She couldn’t stay for too long.

While Dana and I were photographing the fair Mariah, I heard the whinny call of the Tiercel as he flew in from the downtown area.  This little guy is very loud and well, whinny.  🙂

He attempted to land next to Mariah, but she wouldn’t let him, ee-chupping at him.  The Tiercel flew back to the OCSR and landed on top of the building above the elevator shaft.  He continued to cry while watching Mariah.  I have no idea if he is truly begging or if this is just his way of vocalizing.  Very different from Kaver.

After about a 1/2 hour, the Tiercel stooped off of the OCSR and chased a Coopers Hawk off to the west.  Mariah just watched for a moment and then continued to eat.  The Tiercel did not return.

When she was finished eating, Mariah took off heading towards the Kodak Tower.  She landed on the SE corner of the launchpad.  She then flew back to the communication tower.

Dana and I moved up to the Sisters City Garage.  Mariah flew off of the communication tower ee-chupping as she passed over heading towards the Cross Rds Bldg, where I believe the Tiercel was trying to sneak a bite of her leftovers.

She chased him off and he landed on the top I-Beam of OCSR, while she settled on the Cross Rds Bldg. and continued her meal.  I do believe that it was Mariah that reclaimed her meal, but without a scope, I can’t be 100% sure.

This is where I left them at 2:30 pm.  Dana remained for a little longer.

Kaver is due in next week.

Carol P.

Kaver Has Not Returned Yet…

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

The Watchers have spotted a Tiercel (male Peregrine Falcon) hanging out in Rochester over the past week.  At first we thought Kaver had returned earlier than normal.  But, Dana was able to get some really nice take-off shots on Monday and they show that he is a banded bird, so not Kaver.

Mariah has not been aggressive with this male, but neither has she been totally accepting.  On Monday, she and the Tiercel were sitting on the top I-Beam of the Old Changing Scenes Restaurant.  They were vocalizing to each other, but it sounded more like a begging cry from the male.  Could this be a young Tiercel looking for food?  He flew up into the elevator shaft and Mariah quickly chased him out.  Hmmm, maybe he found her secret cache of leftovers.

Kaver usually arrives in Rochester during the first week of March.  We’ll keep Watching.

Carol P.

Is Courtship In the Air?

Monday, February 16th, 2009

I got a nice look at Mariah on the Kodak tower today, and I was able to hear and observe what might have been courtship behavior between her and a male falcon.  Has Kaver returned as well?  The jury’s still out, but you can read more about it and view pictures here:

http://marchlords.com/birdblog/2009/02/peregrine-courting-post-valentine.html

Jim Pisello

She’s Baaacccckkk! Mariah returns to Rochester

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

Mariah has returned to Rochester and our Winter visitors seem to have moved on.  Check out this KGallery Album which contains pictures from today’s Watch.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=171aim5l.bj31vnr5&x=1&y=f0u2lw&localeid=en_US

or tinyurl:

http://tinyurl.com/dem3c4

Enjoy!
Carol P.


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