By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

I’m so tired I don’t even remember what the temperature was this morning when I started my watch. Let’s just say it was slightly cooler than yesterday and less windy.

I got downtown at 5:15am hoping against hope that I would catch Dot.Ca (DC)fly to the nest box with food and to relieve Beauty on egg duty. No such luck!  10 minutes later I spotted UT2 who I so named because we can’t say for sure if it’s the same Unbanded Tiercel that courted Beauty before DC came back from migration. He was on the southeast column where Orion fledged to last year.

He flew north and came back to land under the southeast wing where he would stay for about 10 minutes and then he was off straight down the Times Square building  (TSB) after a sparrow.

This guy did 2 loop de loops between the TSB and Democrat & Chronicle to catch the sparrow but missed it and then flew toward the river. I drove up to the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) and saw UT2 on the Crossroads building  so I did a u turn and went down to Aqueduct St. by Main St. after I noticed Dan just getting out of his car on the bridge so I stopped up there and gave him the scoop first.

Just before 6am UT2 flew to the OCSR top ibeam southwest side.He didn’t stay there long before he was off  flying behind the Wilder building. I then found him next to the main cam up on the deck.

UT2 left when I wasn’t looking so I went up and joined Dan on the bridge. He told me he saw UT2 go after 2 ducks over by the Blue Cross Arena. UT2 was now on the elevator shaft and I thought since Dan would be there until 7:30am I would go to the Brighton Site (BS)  to look for Pigott and DC.

I drove around BS 3x with no luck,there were no PEFAs present that I could see. I stayed until 7am and then I left for downtown. As I approached from Exchange Blvd. I stopped by Cornhill to check the south side of the city and I spotted a falcon flying east bound above the Crossroads building and out of sight. As I rejoined Dan on the BSB he told of a battle he witnessed high above the TSB explaining how one of the tiercels seemed to not be able to keep up and they did some stooping on each other. Dan said it lasted 15 minutes until they flew so high he couldn’t see them anymore. Dan left half hour later with no falcons in sight. At 7:45am I saw UT2 land on the deck with his back to me.

He ended up going over to the well wall and walking all the way around to the north end and back to the column just before you get to the deck.

UT2 stooped off of it straight down the front of the TSB and flew over toward OCSR where I lost him. Around 8:20am UT2 circled the TSB 3 times before landing under the southwest wing for less than a minute.

Then off he went circling TSB again a couple times before landing on the deck.

UT2 didn’t stay very long before he was flying over to the  southeast column across from the nest box.

UT2 stayed put for 10 minutes this time giving me a little break and then he flew off to the east. Beauty flew out after him and returned landing on the southeast column across from the nest box one level up.

<UT2   Beauty> Always click on my pics to see a full version

UT2 came flying in from below and looked like he wanted to mate with Beauty but she must have gave him a look because he stopped a few inches shy of her and started flying around the TSB. Beauty went back to the nest box as he continued to circle the area and then he was gone. 30 minutes later he showed up under the southwest wing of the TSB.

He flew northeast at 9:30am and Beauty flew out following him then she returned a minute later to her nest box and eggs.  A minute later I heard echupping. It was time for our local watcher Larry O’Heron to rappel down the OCSR so I walked to Aqueduct Park to check it out.

I didn’t see a falcon until 11:45am as I was driving down State St. from the Andrews St. Bridge. Beauty flew above me near Church St. headed toward the TSB area. When I got up Exchange Blvd. where I could see Mercury I spotted Beauty on the Mercury money bag and another falcon was flying over the Thomson Reuters building. I turned onto Bank Place to go to the hole but both PEFAs were gone. I ran into Pat who was out on her lunch break. I parked my car and walked up to the Rundell Library and parked myself on a picnic table where I sat for the next 2 hours in which time I saw no falcons. Of course Beauty was on her eggs in the nest box. Joyce came by and then DebbieH stopped on her break. I decided to end my watch and Joyce took off to check north of the city. Another long dramatic watch of 9 hours in the books. No DC sightings but Joyce did see Pigott with a full crop over at BS so that was something to smile about! 🙂

Below are links for some videos from my watch if you wish to look

http://youtu.be/HQC4i2jTbVw
http://youtu.be/2vCgVUYn3Ws
http://youtu.be/WggwqOPnPyo
http://youtu.be/fK1Wxw8u55g
http://youtu.be/PpruQpHNZUA
http://youtu.be/3FdN2V5YXvQ

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

All day long at work I kept getting tweets.  Dot.ca  is not downtown.  He’s at the BS location and it looks like he is injured.  Another tiercel (male) was downtown with Beauty, who barely left the eggs except for a few moments.  She did not trust this tiercel and she was not going to leave her eggs.  Needless to say, I could not wait to leave work and check on the falcons.

I arrived downtown at about 3:45 pm and went immediately down to Aqueduct St (aka the hole).  The last tweet said that the new tiercel was on the nest box platform.  From there I had a good view of him.  Here are a few pictures I took from there.

*

*

*

*

*

While MAK and Joyce were at the BS location keeping an eye on Dot.ca, Brian H was keeping watch downtown, so I joined him at the picnic tables next to the Rochester Public Library on the east end of the Broad St. Bridge (BSB).  From the library picnic tables, we could see the unknown tiercel on the nest box platform, but we were not at the right angle to see Beauty inside the nest box.

*

*

*

*

*

The thought was that this unbanded tiercel might be the same tiercel we called UT or unbanded tiercel that was hanging out with Beauty before Dot.ca arrived from migration.  I cannot tell for sure.  There were similarities in their behaviors but I wasn’t convinced it was him.  Guess we’ll never know for sure, because he is not banded.

While Brian and I watched, the tiercel would leave the nest box and do a lot of flying and hunting over the river and the downtown area.  One time he stooped over the river in front of us and hit a pigeon.  The pigeon recovered and escaped.  The tiercel continued his flight and skimmed the front of the library and continued over us and back to the Times Square Bldg. (TSB)

*

*

*

*

*

He flew over us and headed back to the Times Square Bldg.  He landed on the Times Square Bldg on a ledge below the nest box.

*

*

*

*

*

While Brian and I watched, he did a lot of flying and would always return to the Times Square Bldg, most of the time to the platform in front of the nest box.  Just before 6:30 pm, the tiercel landed on the NE Wing Ledge, just above the nest box.  He seemed to be checking for cached food, but we didn’t see him get any.

*

*

*

*

*

Brian had to leave at 6:30 pm.  I decided, since it was quiet downtown, I would head out to the BS location to check on Dot.ca.  When I arrived, I found Joyce and Larry O (MAK had just left) on the SE end of the building.  Dot.ca had just flown there before I arrived.  Joyce described his landing as a little awkward.  His back was to us, but he was standing tall and actively checking out the surrounding area.

*

*

*

*

*

We decided to move to the east end of the building where we would have a better view of him.  I set up my scope to get a close up view of Dot.ca.  He looked good except that he seemed to be favoring his left side just a little bit.  His eyes were clear and bright, I could see no obvious blood or injuries on him.  As I was looking at him through the scope, he lifted his tail and pooped.  It wasn’t much, but I was happy to see it.

*

*

*

*

*

Dot.ca was watching the fields east of the building intently, bobbing his head now and then.  Then he was off!  He stooped low over the field and then pulled up, gaining altitude effortlessly and heading back towards the building.  Joyce, Larry and I were thrilled to see him soaring on the gusty winds above the building, kiting in place and then we lost sight of him as he flew towards the north east over the top of the building.  We weren’t sure where he went, so as I was tweeting what happened, Joyce circled the building a couple times and Larry O headed downtown just in case Dot.ca was heading in that direction.  In my tweet, I warned the on-line Watchers to keep watch for Dot.ca’s possible return and return he did.

My phone lit up with texts and tweets.  Dot.ca was in the nest box for a short visit and when he left, he was heading north.  Joyce and I left BS and headed back downtown.

Here is a picture of Dot.ca in flight when he was at BS.  It’s not a great picture, but I was so happy to see him flying so well.

*

*

*

*

*

Larry O reported seeing a falcon stoop over the river and then head north.  He had just missed seeing Dot.ca at the nest box.  Kathy O joined the search.  She, Joyce and I chose different routes when coming back into the city.  That way we could cover more ground quickly.  I came in from the north, checking out Kodak Office first.  None of us saw any falcons on our way downtown.  We joined Larry on the Broad St Bridge.

Larry had to go, leaving Joyce, Kathy and I to continue the watch.  Joyce decided to check out the downtown area while Kathy and I remained on the BSB.  At 8:10 pm, Joyce tweeted that she found a falcon on the SW corner of the Chase Lincoln Tower and that she did not believe it looked like Dot.ca.  Kathy and I could see the falcon now, but I truly have no idea if it was Dot.ca or not.  As the sun set, it was more of an orange color and cast that color onto the chest of the falcon.  When the sun went down further, the chest seemed whiter.  Funny what lighting will do.

*

*

*

*

*

By 8:30 pm, the sun was setting and it was getting colder.  It was time to call it a day.  Kathy and I left at 8:30 pm and Joyce stayed til 8:50 pm, leaving the tiercel at the top of the Chase Tower.

Tomorrow is another day and I’m sure the Rochester Falcon Watchers will be out keeping an eye on the situation.

Have a nice evening everyone and always remember to keep your eyes to the sky!

Oh, before I end my report, I want to thank all the Rochester Falcon Watchers that were out today on the streets keeping an eye on “our” falcons.  Also a big thanks to the folks that watch from afar.  Your help is invaluable to us.  Thank you so very much!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

The starting temperature was 51 (F) 11 (C) for a long 13 hour watch that started calm and ended windy with a little wild in between.

I was determined to be downtown when Dot.Ca (DC) arrived for the changing of the guards on the eggs with Beauty. I arrived at 5:15am and got confirmation from Campgee that a switch had not taken place so I got settled down in the hole (Aqueduct Dr.) to wait with Beauty for DC. It was not to take place on this day. My first pic of the day brought a jet thru town-this would be a clue for what would come streaking into downtown later.

Remember to click on my pics for a full version

I watched and waited until 7:20am and then I headed over to the Brighton Site (BS) to see if DC was there. As I arrived I found him on the east end of the south side vent sleeping of all things right!? Pigott was on the southeast corner of the southeast extension whining for food.

5 minutes later Pigott flew off to the south only to return 15 minutes later landing on the southwest corner of the southwest extension still whining while DC continued to rest.

10 minutes later Pigott flew around the front of the building and ended up back on the southeast corner of the southeast extension. Yes she was whining still.

DC kept sleeping opening his eyes briefly here and there and it was becoming apparent that something was wrong with him. Miss Pigott moved back on her corner 45 minutes later where I couldn’t see her and at first I thought she had left but after going out farther I was able to see her. 10 minutes after that DC awoke and flew to a window across from where he was on the southeast extension and at the same time Pigott flew past him to a window kiddie corner from DC and yes, whining!

Pigott stayed there only 5 minutes then flew past DC whining loudly to the opposite end of the extension DC was on and landed on a window ledge.

It would stay this way until 10:50am when Pigott flew off to the southeast and that was the last she was seen for the rest of the day. DC continued to conserve energy sleeping the day away. It was reported that a PEFA was at the nest box so at 11:35am when Joyce relieved me at BS I took a ride downtown to check things before going to run an errand. I spotted a falcon on the Crossroads building with a bright white chest and dark helmet.

This male flew off shortly after I made my way to the hole where Lisa joined me and he went into a stoop in front of the Times Square building. He came back up where we could see him, did some fast flying around the area then left our field of vision. I left at that point for an hour or so and when I returned I saw the same male fly to the deck.

At 1:35pm I headed back to BS to show Joyce the pics of the mystery tiercel. We were convinced that it was UT from back in the winter before DC returned from migration but I’m starting to rethink that now that I’ve seen my pics on the computer. Anyway, DC was still sleeping and around 2:35pm as the sun had finally made its way to him he flew off to a window on the south side corner below the vent back in to the shade.

From this point on DC started opening his eyes more frequently for brief periods of time. He even stretched his right wing and leg a couple times making us think that perhaps he had injuries to his left side. Right around 6:30am DC flew off and around to the east extension landing kinda awkwardly on the southeast corner seemingly favoring his left side. Larry came by right after this and I decided it was time to call it a watch leaving Joyce and Larry with DC. It was a long 13 hour watch with much drama but I was able to muster up a smile anyway! 🙂

Click on the links below for more pics and videos  from the day

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqiCw

http://youtu.be/jREqP7R5hPg
http://youtu.be/MBA-DpalArQ
http://youtu.be/iUHcDVrnMyU
http://youtu.be/iUHcDVrnMyU

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

I arrived downtown at my usual time around 3:50 pm.  1st stop the Broad St Bridge (BSB).  The sun was shining, but dark, threatening clouds were approaching from the northwest and the winds were gusting strongly.  Thankfully those dark clouds never made it downtown, and I was able to enjoy a very warm, sunny, but windy afternoon watch.  When I left work, it was 81 degrees (F)!

I parked in the middle of the bridge facing west, where I had the best view of the surrounding area.  From there I could see all the “falcon” spots.  I checked all over and could not find any falcons.  A big thanks to Donna and Ei for letting me know that Beauty was in the nest box.  Dot.ca was no where to be found, so I decided to head over to the BS location to see if he might be there with Pigott.

The traffic was heavy today, so it took me a bit longer to get over there, arriving at about 4:15 pm.  I only had to go around to the south side of the building to find Pigott.  She was on a east facing window on the SW extension.

*

*

*

*

*

She didn’t stay long, so I’m glad I got there when I did.  She vocalized a loud KEEEE! and then took off heading southeast.  She flew over me and over the wooded area before I lost sight of her.  She was not in any hurry.  When she didn’t return, I headed back downtown.  Parking in the middle of the Broad St Bridge.

Again, I could find no falcons.  I knew that Beauty was in the nest box.  Where was Dot.ca?

I spent my time watching all the birds that called the Genesee River their home at this time of year.  There were 100’s of swallows/swifts skimming the water below and flying high above, looking for insects.  Some of them would skim over the surrounding buildings.  They are fascinating to watch.  Also, there were lots of mallards on the river and flying all over.  Some were in pairs and others seemed to be groups of males hanging out.  Pigeons were landing on the rocks below to drink the water and bathe.  Life on the river has gotten quite lively!   So much to see there when there are no falcons to watch.  Never a dull moment.

*

*

*

*

*

Fellow Falcon Watcher Pat walked by on her way home and asked me if anything exciting was going on.  She caught me trying to take flight shots of the swallows, which is just about impossible to do.  But it’s good practice for falcon flight shots.  lol

It was going on 6:00 pm and I had to get going.  I was sorry that I hadn’t seen Dot.ca.

When I arrived home, I had a tweet from Ei.  Just after I left, there was a shift change at the nest box.  Beauty came out at 6:00 pm and Dot.ca went in to take his turn brooding the eggs.  I just knew he was going to do that.  🙂  So, all three Rochester Falcons were accounted for this afternoon.  Love when that happens!

Here are a few pictures of the shift change at the nest box at 6:00 pm.

From the RFalconcam Main Camera

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Hang on to your hats-today was a very windy day with rain showers starting shortly after I arrived downtown. The temperature was 49 (F) 9 (C) and as I made my way home after finishing my watch I ran into a thunderstorm with some small but loud hail pounding down on the car.

Once more Dot.Ca (DC) made his way to the nest box to relieve Beauty of incubating duties before I left home. Campgee tweeted it out at 5:16am as I was putting on my jacket. Thank you for your efforts Camp! now all I had to do is find Beauty when I got downtown. I found her at 5:35am as I drove around the back(east side) of HSBC. I glanced up and caught a glimpse of her flying off the southeast corner heading east flapping her wings to beat the band. I pulled over and quickly lost her in the dark sky. 5-10  minutes later I found her on the southwest corner of HSBC and she was in hunt mode.

At 6am it started raining and Beauty flew off in the direction of the Broad St. Bridge (BSB). It took me 15 minutes to find her on the northwest side of the OCSR top ibeam. Our falcons get good protection from inclement weather on OCSR.

Her back was to me at first and just before she flew off 10 minutes later she turned around to show herself. I watched her as I made a u-turn on State St. so I could see her fly northwest past the Frontier Communications Tower and disappear. 25 minutes later after a couple trips around downtown, I found Beauty on the base of Mercury where she was eating.

The Beautyful one was having problems with feathers sticking to her beak but she managed to get her crop filled despite it.

Be sure to click on the pics for the full version

When she had her fill  Beauty turned around, situated the leftovers in her talon and flew off with it at 7:06am across the river to the Bausch & Lomb (B&L) building.

Beauty landed on a northwest corner and then out of the blue DC swooped in and tried to grab the food. He failed and landed on a ledge above her.

They both flew off with Beauty landing on another northwest corner above where she was and DC left the area momentarily.

Beauty left without me seeing as I was looking for DC, so I have no idea what happened to the leftovers. However, DC came flying in from the east and landed on the corner Beauty had just vacated. He appeared to be looking for the goods but didn’t find them as he was actually whining up there. Honestly, these 2 crack me up with their seemingly odd relationship.

Somewhere during this time frame Donna let me know that Beauty had gone to the nest box and was on the eggs. Thanks a lot, that was a big help as I was busy with Mr. food thief on the opposite side of the city. lol DC flew off at 7:30am and as he blended in with the building I lost track of him quickly.

I left for the Brighton Site but unfortunately Pigott was not at home when I got there. I drove around 3x and left after no sight or sound of her. I returned to downtown, parking on the BSB at 8:30am I found DC on the Mercury money bag and dozens of chimney swifts filling the airspace above us and both sides of the bridge. Swooping and darting over the river for a few minutes until the rain started coming down harder and then they vanished.

I left DC in the pouring rain as I could see lightening in the very dark western sky at 8:45am. I was smiling as I drove off, for I love thunderstorms almost as much as I love our Rochester Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to view 4 videos from this mornings watch

http://youtu.be/8oQR9GEssGY
http://youtu.be/BDHk5p7I3aQ
http://youtu.be/mTk3aZJYZhE
http://youtu.be/wbx4eHMRApc

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Finally, I got to see Beauty on a late afternoon watch.  She’s usually on the eggs in the nest box by the time I get downtown after getting out of work.  Today I beat her!

When I arrived on the Broad St Bridge (BSB) at about 3:50 pm, it was partly sunny with clouds moving in, and the temps were in the 50’s (F).  It actually felt quite comfortable.

I spotted a falcon on the OCSR, top IBeam at the south corner.  This falcon was facing away from me, so I couldn’t see if it was Beauty or Dot.ca.

*

*

*

*

*

Just as I received a tweet from Pat, a fellow falcon watcher,  that Dot.ca was in the nest box, Beauty took off and landed on the nest box platform, looking into the nest box.   Soon after she landed, Dot.ca got off of the eggs and flew out, landing on the Mercury statue’s moneybag hand.  It was a changing of the guard for brooding the eggs.  Beauty in, Dot.ca out!  This happened at approximately 4:15 pm.

For about 15 minutes, Dot.ca stretched, preened and scratched himself.

*

*

*

*

*

When he finished, Dot.ca took off and flew directly over me, heading south.  I watched him pass over the library and circle and then continue south.  Hmmm, time to head out to the BS location.

I arrived at the BS location at approximately 5:00 pm.  After circling the building a couple times and not seeing or hearing any falcons, I parked where I had a good view of the south and west sides.  It wasn’t long before I saw a falcon soaring high above the building.  As I watched, the falcon circled higher and higher first heading east and then north and out of sight.  I am not sure if this was Dot.ca or Pigott, but I suspect it was Dot.ca checking out the area after leaving downtown.

Going, Going, Going…….

*

*

*

*

*

GONE!  If this was Dot.ca, he was literally a Dot in the Sky!  lol

*

*

*

*

*

I waited a little while to see if the falcon would return and then headed back downtown, since it was very quiet at BS.

After checking the downtown area and not finding any falcons out and about, I headed home at about 5:40 pm.  On my watch I saw Beauty and Dot.ca.  I am not sure which falcon it was I saw flying over the BS location, but no positive ID of Pigott.  Not to worry though, she was seen this morning.

I’ll leave you with a few pics taken by the RFalconcam Main Camera this afternoon.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a frosty start this morning a temperature of 32 (F) -1 (C) when I left for downtown but the sun appeared and warmed things up.

As I was walking out the door at 5:20am I got a tweet from camera watcher Campgee saying that Dot.Ca had switched with Beauty on the eggs. Thank you Camp-I had the scoop before I even left my house! When I arrived downtown I went straight to the hole (Aqueduct St.) but Beauty wasn’t on her spot-the base of Mercury or OCSR her other early morning spot. So the search was on and I had an idea right where to look-HSBC, another early morning favorite hunting spot. And that’s exactly where I found the Beautyful one on the southeast corner.

I parked on Chestnut St. by Manhattan Square Park and watched her for the next 40 minutes as she looked below for a pigeon to fly by but it didn’t happen. She stretched a couple of times but she was in hunt mode for the most part.

At 6:14am Beauty spread out her glorious wings and flew off to the west.

Remember to click on the pics to view a full version

I followed suit and drove over to the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) and found Beauty on the base of Mercury.

I drove back down to the hole to observe Beauty while she preened, scratched and looked for a possible meal to fly by. 20 minutes later she flew to the deck and waited for DC to get off the eggs. He flew over to the Mercury money bag (MMB).

<Beauty>

At 7am DC stooped down to the river out of view and when he didn’t return I left to check the Brighton Site (BS). I went in the back way and as I drove down the access road near the PEFA tree I spotted a falcon in the western sky flying south. I turned around to follow but soon lost it behind trees. I then checked the BS building and didn’t see or hear a falcon. I returned to downtown arriving around 7:45am just in time to spot DC on the top ibeam southeast side eating. I barely got settled in the hole when he took off -food in talon and flew over to the Times Square building and gave Beauty his prize at the nest box. She in turn took it to the base of Mercury. Beauty didn’t stay there long before flying off with this tiny treasure.

Beauty returned a couple minutes later and started eating. She had her back to me so I went up to the BSB to watch her polish it off quickly.

When she was finished she cleaned her beak off on the concrete base and walked to the other side of the base where I couldn’t see her. I thought she had flown off so I left for BS again. I received tweets from Shaky and Annette that Beauty was still on the base and Donna reported DC on the eggs. Thank you one and all! This time around at BS I found Pigott on the southeast corner of the southeast extension.

Miss Pigott would stay there for the next 40 minutes watching over her territory and then she flew to a place I’ve never seen her perched. On a window to the east of the south side vent just under the rooftop.

I think there are starlings nesting up in that area and she was looking to grab one. She stayed only a few minutes and then flew to the west end of the south side vent.

At 9:20am Pigott flew around to the front of the building landing on the northwest corner of the northeast extension. I received a tweet from Annette that Beauty was on the eggs and DC was off so I opted to end my watch at 9:30am knowing that all Rochester Peregrine Falcons were accounted for. I took a couple shots of the Highland Park horse who had been given some bling in the form of a wreath around its neck and some vendor tents and lilac bushes in the park for the Lilac Festival-truly worth smiling about! 🙂

Remember to click pics to see a larger version

I have included links below for some videos from my watch-enjoy!

http://youtu.be/5HQF1cWJfg8
http://youtu.be/SZbLPSydj3M
http://youtu.be/5tP0gMGVF6Y
http://youtu.be/oPa_kOcp4wU
http://youtu.be/3B51bA4y4Lk
http://youtu.be/dYK7yF7IaJc
http://youtu.be/eJdpnKu8PZY

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

The starting temperature this morning was 36 (F) 2 (C)  with a busy wind and dark winter looking clouds making it a turn the furnace back on kind of day! Tomorrow promises to be colder with frost and freeze warnings overnite.

I was downtown at 5:28am this morning and still not early enough to see Dot.Ca (DC) arrive to relieve Beauty on the eggs. Annette reported that DC was on the eggs and it turns out the switch was made at around 5:15am. I went to the hole (Aqueduct St.)and found Beauty on the base of Mercury.

She would stand there looking around for 15 -20 minutes before revealing that she had prey under her at which point she started plucking feathers from a small food item.  Beauty spent 20 minutes preparing and eating and then she flew to the southeast wing with the leftovers stashing it at the back of the ledge.

Click on the pics to view the full version

I drove over to Broad St. by the Democrat & Chronicle for the best view and then back to the hole 5 minutes later when she flew to the OCSR landing on the top ibeam southeast side.

I decided I was going to the Brighton site early today to see if I could catch Pigott there since I hadn’t seen her since Thursday morning. It paid off for when I arrived at 6:40am Miss Pigott was on the south end of the southeast extension on a top window right below the roof top tree.

It was good to see this pretty Peregrine again as she watched birds below her in the trees. Just before 7am I noticed a crow come into view from the corner of my eye and go into a stoop. I never saw a crow stoop and thought it strange when suddenly Pigott was after it in her own stoop just missing it as it took cover in a tree. Good stuff! Miss Pigott proceeded to fly over to the east extension and come to rest on the southeast corner of it where she began to preen and rouse(shake feathers).

Around 7:15am I got a tweet from Campgee (thank you and thanks to Donna for letting me know who the tweet was from)that Beauty had taken over incubation duties and DC was on the loose. I thought I would stay put and see if he came for a visit. He never did while I was at the site but Pigott gave me plenty to look at as she turned her head every which way looking at whatever she was seeing in the trees and in the sky.

On 2 separate occasions Pigott  attempted to extract a pellet and was successful on one of those tries bringing up 2 pellets of which I got on video.

The clouds were rolling in and out the whole time I was there and at 8:15am or there abouts Pigott decided it was time to depart. She stretched out her wings and tail feathers and I watched her take off to the east without returning.

I left for downtown at 8:30am and drove around but didn’t spot a falcon anywhere. Donna let me know that Beauty was still on the eggs and that DC had left the OCSR at 7:55am. I ended my watch at 9:15am with a big old smile for having seen Pigott again! 🙂

Click on the links below to view more pics and videos

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqiB8

http://youtu.be/VcuQ3OtLB1g
http://youtu.be/mu5oCjV6IEA
http://youtu.be/AlWLOV_mOAw
http://youtu.be/CJWZoE2l7pc
http://youtu.be/eCF_kgm3oGM

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

My Mother’s Day Watch started at 11:30 am at the BS location.  I hoped to find Pigott again, like I did yesterday, but no such luck today.  It was 50 degrees (F) when I started my watch.  The sun was out.   The winds were gusting.  The dark clouds were rolling through.  It was raining and it was sleeting.  It did everything today, except snow.  lol

Just before noon, a crow flew in and landed on the south side vent.  Only for a moment.  Probably looking for cached food.  The Crow took off, unchallenged, and I continued to circle the building, watching and listening.

*

*

*

*

*

At noon, I was getting ready to head downtown.  Just as I was heading out loud ee-chups filled the air.  I looked all over.  Was it two or only one falcon?  Finally one falcon flew off of the tree ledge on the east end of the building, heading south.  This falcon was flying so fast on the gusting wind, I had no chance to get a good look.  Was it Pigott or Dot.ca?  The falcon whipped around the west end of the building and I followed.  I circled the building twice and did not see anything.  But, I was lucky enough to get a flight shot of the falcon and I’m pretty sure it was Dot.ca.

*

*

*

*

*

I remained at BS for about a 1/2 hr more before heading downtown.

Downtown was busy with graduations letting out, but it wasn’t long before I found a spot to park on the Broad St Bridge (BSB).  Dot.ca was up on the SE side top IBeam on the OCSR.  He had food and was either eating it or prepping it as a gift for Beauty.

At 12:50 pm, Dot.ca flew to the nest box and switched places with Beauty, taking his turn on the eggs.

*

*

*

*

*

*Picture from Rfalconcam.

Beauty flew out of the nest box and over to the top IBeam of OCSR.  I couldn’t see if she had food or not.

At 1:00 pm, I had to go, leaving Dot.ca in the nest box and Beauty on OCSR.

*

*

*

*

*

I’ll leave you with a couple pictures taken by the Rfalconcam main camera today.  One of Beauty and one of Dot.ca in the nest box on the eggs.

*

*

*

*

*

*Rfalconcam Main Camera Pictures

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

This mornings temperature was 20 degrees cooler than yesterdays at 41 (F) 5 (C) with a blustery cold wind and changing conditions. Sun at times but mostly cloudy with rain on and off.

I started my watch at 5:35am and just as I got downtown one of our cam watchers, Campgee (thank you for your help) tweeted that a switch had taken place at the nest box. Dot.Ca (DC) was on the eggs and so it was up to me to find Beauty who has changed her routine from going straight across to the base of Mercury first thing in the morning. I found her on the top ibeam southeast side of the OCSR.

I started out parked in the hole (Aqueduct St.) and chose to go down to Graves St. by Aqueduct Park for closer viewing as Beauty was in hunt mode and also did some preening and stretching.

Click on the pics to view the full version

Beautys first departure came around 6:10am as she flew off across the river to the east side.

I went up to the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) to take a look and saw the Beautyful one soaring above Xerox. She drifted north and started hovering above the Chase building before dropping back behind it out of sight. I then drove to the east side looking for her but didn’t find her so I returned to the bridge. From there I spotted Beauty back on the top ibeam of OCSR again at 6:15am. I went back down to Graves St. to observe as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

At about 6:50am Beauty dropped off into a fast stoop down toward the river out of my sights for a short time before returning to OCSR without any breakfast.

Beauty did some more preening and rousing(shaking her feathers) and I saw a bunch of her small white down feathers go sailing off in the wind. At about 7:10am she flew off  around to the end of OCSR by the elevator shaft and then north disappearing behind OCSR.

Click pic to see it all

Once again I drove up to the BSB and spotted Beauty flying high on the east side. I continued on to the east side and got glimpses of her above HSBC and then circling above Xerox before drifting west toward the river.  Back to the BSB where I watched Beauty riding the wind until I lost her in the sun. I found her once again on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR at 7:30am.

From Graves St. one more time I spent the next 15 minutes with Beauty when she flew off and circled above the hole where I had driven up to trying to follow her. She came to rest under the southeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB)for a few seconds and then she was gone behind the building from my field of vision. I left for the Brighton site (BS) arriving there a little after 8am-several trips around the complex came up empty. I had to leave for a while and when I returned there still was no falcon to be seen at BS.

At 9:52am I received a tweet from Annette (thanks) that Beauty was now on the eggs back at the TSB nest box and DC was out so I stayed to see if he would come to BS. Sure enough about 10 minutes later he came flying in from the south above me. He circled above the building a few times obviously looking for Pigott and then he left without stopping to land anywhere heading north. I returned to downtown where I found a full BSB from another college graduation ceremony at the Blue Cross Arena. I had a look around finding no falcons and then ended my watch at just about 10:30am. I haven’t seen Pigott since Thursday 5/9 and then it was only her tail feathers, but she has been seen so she’s ok but just not showing herself to old MAK. That’s ok cuz I’m a patient girl and next time I see Miss Pigott it will be a smiling affair! 🙂

Just 2 links for videos today below-just click em to view

http://youtu.be/hjsCcF_Fz9Y
http://youtu.be/qs8mtDdpX20