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Archive for July, 2009

Falcon Watch – 7/28/09 (follow-up) Mariah Photos

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watcher ~ Joyce

http://picasaweb.google.com/wnyfalconwatcher/72809MariahAfterSunset#

Falcon Watch – 7/28/09 (6:30 – 9:00 pm) – The Queen Has Been Located!

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Finally!  All three Falcons seen today.  This is the first time in awhile that I am able to post an M and A/B Falcon Watch report.  Yay!

It was a beautiful warm evening, so I decided to head downtown for an evening Falcon Watch.  I arrived at the east end of the pedestrian bridge around 6:30 pm.  No Watchers were there at first, but Kathy O soon joined me.  She had already checked the downtown area and found Beauty on the south side of the old Changing Scenes Restaurant.

At 7:30 pm, we decided to see if we could find Archer and Beauty.  Beauty was on the south side of the Wilder Bldg and just as I parked my car, she took off heading north west.  We followed and found both Archer and Beauty on the Communication Tower.  Beauty and Archer took off.  We found Archer on the NW corner of the Kodak Tower Launch pad. He went off on a hunt, heading west and soon returned empty taloned.  We followed him back out to the Communication Tower.

It was after 8:00 pm and time for me to head home.  Kathy O called to say that Joyce and Casey were out on the bridge.  She was going to let Joyce know where Archer was (on the platform of the Comm Twr) and then head home herself.

As you all know, the Watchers have all been checking out the areas north of Kodak Office, looking for Mariah.  Tonite was no exception.

On my way home, I headed down State St, to Lake Ave, heading north.  I always check out the taller buildings of Kodak Park and tonite I saw something suspicious on the Research Lab Bldg.  I turned left onto the next street and parked my car.

At 8:15 pm, the light was fading.  I took a quick look at the building and the object I thought was a bird was structure on the building.  Well, darn.  But, what was that on the antenna?  A Crow, a Red-tail Hawk?  Did I dare hope that it was a Peregrine?  My binoculars gave me a view of a dark bird.  Hmmmmm.  I quickly took a few pictures and pulled my car further down the street to get a better look.

I parked in front of a house where the owner checked me out from the front door.  I told him I was checking out a bird on the Kodak bldg and did he mind if I set-up my scope?  Nope, that was fine.

So with shaking hands, I excitedly set up the new Watcher scope (thanks everyone!) and got my first good look at an adult Peregrine Falcon!  Yes!  I first called Kathy O and then Joyce.  They soon joined me, along with the owner of the house, Tom, who was thoroughly enjoying all the excitement.

From 8:15 until 9:00 pm, Mariah preened, stretched, pooped and looked all around her.  I was able to see her one band and the darker coloring on her upper chest where the wound was located.  I couldn’t see the colored tape on her band due to the low light, but I am quite sure that this was Mariah.  Kathy and Joyce agreed.

At 9:00 pm Mariah stretched her wings and flew off of the antenna, flying low between the buildings heading west.  We did not see her reappear, but I assume she was probably off on a hunt.  There are a lot of pigeons around Kodak Park.

It wasn’t long before we were being bitten up by mosquitoes.  After all the rain we’ve had, they’re out in full force.  Darn pesky critters.

We all said our goodbyes.  We were so excited seeing Mariah looking so good.  Although she isn’t currently in her territory, she’s chosen a wonderful spot, with a view of the gorge on the east side and probably a view of Kodak Office off to the south.  🙂

Carol P.

Falcon Watch – Wednesday – 7/22/09 – Archer on the Kodak Tower

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watch Carol P:

Noon – Watchers Lisa McK, Larry O, Dan S, Kristen, her son Nico, and Carol P. One Falcon on the communication tower below the platform. Juvenile Red-tail Hawk in a tree in the gorge and 2 adult RTH’s soaring above.

6:30 – 8:30 pm – Watchers Kathy O, Joyce and Carol P. Falcon on the Kodak Tower, launch pad, NW corner. We believe it was Archer. He walked around to the SE corner and we followed (by car ;-). Now parked on the east side of the Kodak Tower, we had a good view of him. He was being harassed by a Robin way up there. Brave little guy. The Robin I mean. 🙂

I looked down for a moment and when I looked back up, Archer was gone.  Joyce did see him leave. He stooped into the gorge, heading north east. We waited to see if he would return, but he didn’t and it was time to head home.

No sign of Beauty or Mariah.

Carol P.

Falcon Watch Sunday 7/19/09 (12:30-7:30 pm) – Three Falcons

Monday, July 20th, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watcher ~ Joyce

Sunday’s watchers were Brian, Lynda, Carol P, Kathy O, Joyce, Dan, Dawn, Shaky, Carrie, Jeanne, Carla, and Marcia.

12:30-2:00 pm – SE Corners of Kodak Tower:  Archer on 16th floor, Beauty on 17th floor – Watchers were on Platt and State Street.

Archer took off heading northwest and the watchers decided to drive around to the east end of the bridge.  We speculated that Archer saw Mariah coming in.  Carol P. and Kathy O saw A&B flying around the gorge in a manner just like the juvies used to, even buzzing gulls.  Brian & Joyce spotted Mariah on the east side launch pad.

At 2:50 – all was quiet.  Mariah was laying flat on the launch pad, only her tail was visible through Carol’s scope.  Archer was on the gorge wall below the observation deck, and Beauty was in the Shady Tree with her back towards Archer.  Because of the foliage it was difficult to see her from the bridge.

About 5:10 – Archer decided to fly the gorge.  He landed on the “beach” (the rocks on the island next to the building).  He was off again, showing off to Beauty, and at 5:23 pm landed on the Gorsline Building (the red one across the gorge).  He continued flying along the tops of the trees on the east side and then landed on Skye’s building (Genesee Brewery).

Close to 5:30 pm the skies got busy.  I was taking pictures of Archer on Skye’s building when he flew off heading north.  At the same time – Brian’s take was that Beauty got too close to the Tower, and Mariah came off after her.  According to Dan, aggression was shown, and talons up.  He wasn’t sure who was chasing who.  Archer joined Mariah and Beauty and all three were seen flying around the large apartment building seen to the north from the bridge.  At 5:33 pm one falcon (looked large) landed on the apartment building and two were still flying around.  Even though there were a number of watchers on the bridge, no one could tell who was who in the distance. 

At 5:50 pm Beauty came back and and circled Kodak Tower eventually landing on the launch pad.  Mariah was not seen again, and we all suspect Mariah flew north, as she does so often.  All was quiet again.  A&B went back to Times Square nestbox together. 

At 7:30 pm Archer was on the communication tower, and the watch ended.

Falcon Watch – 7/15/09 (7-9 pm) – The Perils of Pigeons

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P:

After the noon hour Watch with Lisa McK, Shaky, Sue(Bess) and I, with only one Falcon sighting on the old Changing Scenes Restaurant, I decided to head downtown for an evening Watch. It seems that Mariah is much more active at this time.

When I arrived around 7:00 pm, I drove around the Kodak Tower and finally spotted Mariah on the North side of the catwalk on the High Falls Smoke Stack. I parked near the BeeBee Plant where I had a good view of Mariah. The RG&E guard approached me from the other side of the fence. He told me that I couldn’t take pictures there. I pointed out Mariah’s position and told him I would only take pictures of her.

A Robin landed about a foot away from Mariah on the catwalk railing and started “chatting”. Over and over and over and over again, it went on for a long time.  Finally, Mariah had enough.  She spread her wings and moved towards the Robin. It flew off and Mariah remained on the catwalk. There was quiet for a few moments and then the Robin returned.

Around 8 pm, Mariah spread her wings and took off, heading east over the river.  I quickly jumped into my car and drove to the east end of the pedestrian bridge.

Just as I was parking my car, a pigeon fell to the ground and fluttered towards the end of the pedestrian bridge. Hmmmm, what was that all about?

I looked up at the older section of the old Cataract brewery building that we now call Skye’s Bldg and saw that Mariah had successfully hunted.  She was standing on another pigeon. After a few moments, Mariah took off with her catch and landed on the Genessee Brewery roof, just out of sight.

I quickly checked on the downed pigeon and found a very frightened, youngster.  Puffs of fuzzy down still stuck to his/her head. Definitely a nestling that was very near to taking it’s first flight. Mariah’s hunt scared the little one into an early fledge. I found a rehabber that would take it and gently picked it up in a towel and put it into a box I carried in my car for this purpose. I hope s/he’ll be ok.  (7/18 update – the young Pigeon is doing well.  🙂

Back to Mariah. Just before I left, I noticed that about 7 Crows had gathered around where I knew Mariah had taken the pigeon. They cawed over and over, very loudly. I left Mariah with her meal and her gang of Crows to take the pigeon to the rehabber.

I made a quick trip around the Kodak Tower on my way home and found Mariah back on the north side of the High Falls smoke stack Catwalk with her little bird friend chattering away. LOL That was a little after 9 pm.

Another enjoyable Watch!

Carol P.

Falcon Watch – 7/14/09 – Archer & Beauty Downtown and Mariah on the Big “D” in Kodak!

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

6:30 pm – Arrived downtown.

6:40 pm – Found Archer and Beauty on the top top I-Beam of old Changing Scenes Restaurant, south side.

6:50 pm – Parked on the east end of the pedestrian bridge and spotted Mariah up on the Kodak Tower, east side launch pad, between the rockets.

7:20 pm – Nothing much happening in the gorge, so I drove over to the Kodak Tower and parked on the east side.

7:55 pm – Mariah flew off of the K-Tower, heading north. She flew out a short distance and turned back to the K-Tower, landing on the north side where I couldn’t see her. I drove down to the north end of the BeeBee Station and found Mariah sitting on the big “D” on the Kodak sign, north side of the K-Tower.

This is where I left her at 8:15 pm.

Carol P.

Falcon Watch – 7/13/09 – 10 Minutes With Mariah

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watcher Carla P:

On my way home from work tonight, at about 8:30 P.M., I spotted Mariah on the east side of the Kodak Tower, between the NE and SE rockets. She looked absolutely beautiful, all fluffed up – like she was trying to land herself a new boyfriend!!!

I watched her for about 10 minutes, and then I took off for home, with Mariah still on the launchpad. As always, seeing the legendary Mariah made my whole day!

Carla P.

Falcon Watch – 7/12/09 – From Joyce & Suzanne

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watchers Joyce & Suzanne:

Don and I went to Rochester yesterday. When we arrived a bit after noon, Dawn and Bullet were the only watchers on the bridge. We soon found Archer on the 2nd I-Beam. Later we spotted Beauty on the top I-Beam. We could not locate Mariah, and even walked around to get a better look on the other sides of Kodak. Kelly came for a bit…but no Mariah.

Then Dan S. came and shortly after that Mariah flew into the gorge and sat on a ledge below the Falcon tree.  She blended in so well.  (Dawn was so excited to spot her.)  The light was wonderful, so we had gorgeous looks at her, with the help of the scope of course.  She was quite chatty.  Was she complaining about A?  We all sat on the bench and enjoyed Mariah and the sunshine.  During which time Archer moved from the 2nd I-Beam and out of our sight.

Joyce and Casey arrived and Bullet was happy because he now had a friend with whom he could play!  Soon Carrie and Shaky cruised in, but it was now around 4:30 and time for us to travel down the road back to Ithaca.  I was happy, though, because we got to see Mariah and she looked beautiful!  ~ Suzanne

Carol P arrived in time to see Mariah on the wall.  She heard Mariah e-chup then we couldn’t find her.  We thought maybe she snuck up into the shady tree.  We later found her on the east side launch pad.

Wish we knew why Mariah is being so vocal all of a sudden.  We talked and speculated, (and without putting human emotions to it, like thinking she might me lonely), we were wondering if this is just something peregrines do like other birds? 

As quickly as we spot the falcons, they were all gone.  It remained quiet and then Shaky spotted a falcon flying.  At first we thought Mariah was back. The falcon was soaring high up in the direction of Frontier Field and the Communication Tower. Then it flew high over the gorge. Carrie said that’s not Mariah.  The peregrine looked large, and there was no split wing tip or a missing feather.  Carrie thought it was Beauty, but we couldn’t tell for sure.  The falcon continued to fly high and eastward of the Genesee Brewery until we couldn’t see it anymore.  No falcons returned and we all headed home.  After looking at my photos on the computer – it was Beauty.  Looks likes she is venturing in other directions than South of the city.  ~Joyce

Falcon Watch – 7/11/09 – Some Mariah, Archer and Beauty Pics

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P:

I decided to just post the tinyurl since the Picasa url is so long and probably won’t work.

http://tinyurl.com/md7ork

Hope this works. Like Joyce, I wanted to try Picasa to share pictures. Let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

Carol P.

Falcon Watch – Friday – 7/10/09 – Mariah Cools Down at High Falls

Friday, July 10th, 2009

From Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P:

Lots of Watchers out on a beautiful, warm day: Jim P, Brian H, Lisa McK, Dan S, Susan C, Lynda & Carol P. (hope I’m not missing someone).

Early this morning, I spotted a Falcon on top of the High Falls stack (around 6:55 am). Due to size, I’m pretty sure it was Mariah and she was vocalizing.

Didn’t see any other Falcons nearby, but Archer and Beauty had been seen in the Times Square nest box early morning.

At noon, Archer and Beauty were both on the old Changing Scenes Restaurant, north side, 2nd I-Beam down.

Mariah was on the east side gorge wall, just south of the observation deck.

She remained there until 2:55 pm, when she took off. She flew over the river, heading west. Then north, under the pedestrian bridge, over the Bee Bee Station. Did a U-Turn, heading back towards us, very low and under the bridge, out the other side, down the east side gorge wall. She then made a few low passes over the observation deck, turned back towards us skimming the treeline on the east side of the gorge. Mariah flew very low over us, again heading north. You could see that she was looking down at us as she passed overhead.  We lost sight of her over the Smith St. Bridge area.

It was wonderful seeing her flying so beautifully over her gorge. 🙂

Around 3:30 pm, she returned to the Kodak Tower, landing on the launch pad.  That’s where she remained when we left at 4 pm. Earlier, when no one was looking, Archer & Beauty had left the old Changing Scenes Restaurant.

Carol P.


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