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Archive for February, 2014

Frigid Friday Afternoon Falcon Watch – 2/28/14 – Last Day of February!

Friday, February 28th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Sorry I haven’t had much time to post.  I had a very nice afternoon watch today and wanted to share some pictures of what I saw.  It was a four falcon day.

Pigott and Dot.ca at the BS location.

Dot.ca at BS 2-28-14Pigott at BS with Food 2-28-14*

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Dot.ca joined Pigott after she finished eating and helped himself to some dinner.

Dot.ca Joins Pigott 2-28-14Dot.ca Joins Pigott 2-28-14Dot.ca Helps Himself to a Little Piece of Pigotts Dinner 2-28-14*

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Downtown I found Beauty on the northwest corner of the HSBC Building.

Beauty on HSBC 2-28-14Beauty on HSBC 2-28-14Beauty on HSBC 2-28-14*

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After leaving Beauty on HSBC, I headed down to the lake to see what I could see.  I am happy to report that I found a juvenile Peregrine Falcon on an antenna at Russell Station.  I cannot be sure that this was Billy.  My camera just isn’t able to pick up detail at such far distances.  But, it sure did look like her.  🙂

Juvie Peregrine - Maybe Billy - at Russell Station 2-28-14Juvie Peregrine - Maybe Billy - at Russell Station 2-28-14Juvie Peregrine - Maybe Billy - at Russell Station 2-28-14*

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Juvie Peregrine - Maybe Billy - at Russell Station 2-28-14Juvie Peregrine - Maybe Billy - at Russell Station 2-28-14Juvie Peregrine - Maybe Billy - at Russell Station 2-28-14*

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After the sunset, at about 6:15 pm, the juvie took off heading east, flying low over an area where ponds are located.  To me it looked like she was on a hunt.  I waited a little while do see if she would return, but she didn’t as far as I know.

Goodnight everyone.  Very happy the weekend has arrived!

Morning watch 2-28-14

Friday, February 28th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a wopping 1 degree (F) -17 (C) when I stepped out the door this morning- I had to shovel before I left for my watch as we got a few more inches of snow overnite with some drifting from the high winds. They have died down since and bright blue skies and sunshine prevail

As I drove down Exchange Blvd. around 6:55am I thought I saw a falcon on the Mercury money bag but when I went down in the hole it was gone. I went up to the Broad St. Bridge and had a look around then proceeded to the east side where I spotted what I thought was 2 falcons on the east side of Bausch & Lomb northeast corner from Broadway and Broad St. Again when I got closer crossing Chestnut St. and pulled over on Broad St. across from Midtown I saw only Beauty eating up there. Was I seeing things or was Dot.Ca (DC) playing games with me!?

img_0003-beauty2 img_0007-beauty2

She finished up after a couple minutes, wiped off her beak and flew off to the northwest in the general direction of OCSR.

img_0012-beauty-feaking img_0013-beauty-has-left-the-building img_0014-beauty img_0015-see-ya<Click it

After I checked around the area and caught up with her as I found her from the Radisson Hotel by Main St.-she went up in the elevator shaft north ledge of OCSR. (I mistakenly tweeted the south ledge)

img_0019-beauty1

I didn’t stay more than 5 minutes with the Beautyful one as I had an early appointment and wanted to check the Brighton site (BS) too. When I got there at  7:40am I saw Pigott fly off the east extension over to the west side of BS and back. Flying over DC  who was on the southeast corner of the east extension with prey, to land on the southeast corner of the southeast extension under the tree.

img_0022-pigott1 img_0023-pigott img_0026-pigott<Pigott  DC>img_0028-dc

Pigott watched DC in between preening and DC plucked feathers to beat the band trying to get to a warm meal.

img_0032-dc img_0035-dc<DC img_0041-please-mak-no-pics img_0042-talk-to-the-talonPigott

img_0045-pigott<Pigott DC>img_0060-hey-there-dc img_0061-hi-mak img_0065-dc-with-a-beakful

I left this falcon pair to it and returned to down town finding that Beauty was still up in the OCSR elevator shaft north side ledge.

img_0084-beauty-keeping-warm

I drove away at 8:30am smiling for having seen all 3 of my Rochester Peregrine Falcon friends! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/NL3Rk71hm_8

http://youtu.be/0pbSLz45yjw
http://youtu.be/TGCYJivgD2s

Morning watch 2-27-14

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was snowing, breezy, dark and cold with a starting temperature of 12 (F) -11 (C). The intensity of the snow changed during my watch.

I spotted Dot.Ca on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR just before 7am from the hole. While I tweeted the info he left the building. I drove over to the Radisson Hotel by Main St. and checked the elevator shaft but didn’t see anything. As I made my way back to the hole I saw Beauty on the base of Mercury-her back was to me.

img_0002-dc img_0003-beauty1

I then drove up to the Broad St. bridge (BSB) where I could face the Beautyful one. She was in hunt mode and did some preening in between watching for a meal to turn up.

img_0004-beauty img_0010-beautyful img_0012-watching-birds-below

img_0021-empty-taloned img_0025-beauty1 img_0036-hey-mak-got-a-birdie-down-there-i-can-eat

I shared space with Beauty for an hour with camera zeroed in on her, finger on the shutter (frozen and numb) waiting for her to take off and as I was wiping the snow off my lens she left! Go figure!! I watched her as she flew over to OCSR and passed in front of the elevator shaft a few times and then went around to the northeast side where I couldn’t see her. I thought maybe DC was up in the elevator shaft and that’s why Beauty flew past it-like she was looking for him. Back to the Radisson so I could see up in there but the snow was making it hard to be sure if I saw something on the north ledge. Beauty was on the top ibeam northeast side tucked in where it meets the elevator shaft.

img_0043-beauty1 img_0044-beauty4

The falling snow was not making it easy for me but you can make out the shape of a falcon. I left for Brighton and arrived there around 8:30am where I found Miss Pigott on the top row of  east facing windows on the southeast extension. She was napping with one eye open so I stayed only a few minutes before heading back downtown to see if I could find DC to make it a trifecta.

img_0060-pigott

I returned to the Radisson Hotel to find Beauty still tucked in on the top ibeam of OCSR by the elevator shaft northeast side. And a bonus of DC up on the north ledge of the shaft-so I think he must have gone there earlier when I missed him leaving the top ibeam and that would explain Beauty seemingly checking it out as she passed by it a few times earlier. The snow was really giving me fits trying to get a pic that showed him-he was up there, I could see him with my binoculars although it’s hard to see him in the pic below.

img_0063-dc1 img_0066-beauty

It was obvious that our Rochester Peregrine Falcons were hunkered down and were not going to do much so I called it a watch at 9am and left them with a smile after seeing all 3! 🙂

Check out the 2 links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/lXKecK6K-GA

http://youtu.be/tOozBOQ2GsY

Morning watch 2-26-14

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

10 degrees (F) -12 (C) was what hit me when I walked out the door this morning-factor in the wind and it feels like -7 (F). Spring where are you?

I was unsuccessful in finding Beauty at the start of my watch this morning so I went to the Brighton site (BS) where I was met by the tail feathers of  Dot.Ca (DC). He was on the southeast corner of the east extension eating. Pigott was on the southeast extension top row east facing window.

img_0003-dc-eating-at-bs<DC     Pigott>img_0004-pigott img_0005-it-was-this-big-mak img_0007-fascinator-girl

DC finished up eating within a few minutes and flew over to the southeast extension  landing on the next set of windows to the left of Pigott who crouched down as he passed by. Miss Pigott had a fascinator stuck to her beak again but managed to knock it off with her talon as DC did some cleaning up and preening.

img_0014-pigott-down-as-dc-flies-over img_0015-pigott-talking-to-dc img_0017-this-is-my-tough-look-with-a-fascinator img_0019-gotcha-fascinator<Pigott

img_0023-dc img_0024-dc img_0029-dc-smiling img_0032-my-talons-are-a-mess<DC

Another rushed watch so I couldn’t stay very long-I left them and returned to downtown to look for the Beautyful one. As I approached from Exchange Blvd. I caught Beauty flying out from the nest box area heading toward OCSR. I drove down to the hole and to my surprise DC  was on the top ibeam near the south corner and Beauty was further down closer to the elevator shaft. He must have followed me when I left BS and of course beat me downtown as he has no traffic or traffic lights to deal with! lol

img_0037-bdc img_0039-dc<DC  Beauty>img_0045-beauty1

I left the hole to go over to my spot by the Radisson Hotel and Main St. for a different view. The sun was shining on them so brightly that it washed them out.

img_0051-dc2<DCimg_0059-bdc

While I was looking elsewhere Beauty managed to move down to the corner of the ibeam where it meets the elevator shaft and got tucked in out of the wind.

img_0061-beauty img_0062-beauty-tucked-in-out-of-wind

I had to go to an appointment so I ended my watch around 8:40am with a smile after seeing all 3 Rochester Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

http://youtu.be/-lqPNaNFuzQ

http://youtu.be/ZOVbi0Wf5-I

http://youtu.be/FJ88UaLSfL0

Morning watch 2-25-14

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Back to frozen tundra as the temperature was 16 degrees (F) -9 (C) and with the wind chill making it feel like 4-light snow fell during my watch and it was overcast

From the Broad St. bridge (BSB) I found Beauty quite easily this morning as she was on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR at 7am. Idrove over to the Radisson Hotel by Main St. to be closer.

img_0010-beauty4 img_0012-hi-beautyful

She stooped down in the river around 7:30am in between the Main and Broad St. bridges out of view-then resurfaced empty -taloned and flew up into the OCSR elevator shaft coming to rest on the north side ledge. It was hard to see her thru the snow.

img_0013-beauty-takes-off-in-a-flurry img_0015-beauty

I guess this was her signal for me to go find Dot.Ca (DC) so I left for the Brighton Site (BS) after a look around downtown. When I arrived at BS  just after 8am I spotted DC on the southeast extension on the corner by the roof top tree. Pigott was nowhere to be found.

img_0017-dc img_0021-dc1

DC flew off to the south a few minutes later and didn’t return so I headed back downtown since that’s the direction he was flying. Thanks to Donna who tweeted that Beauty was at the nest so I knew right where to look first. As I approached from Exchange St. I could see Beauty by the main cam-she had her back to me so I went to the hole to get a better angle on her.

img_0022-beauty-by-main-cam Remember to click on my pics to see the full version

As I got to Aqueduct St. at Bank Place by the southeast corner of the Philipone building I noticed the white of DC on the top ibeam of OCSR near the south corner. The Beautyful one left the nest area and joined DC on OCSR a bit further down on the ibeam.

img_0026-bdc<Click them>img_0039-bdc img_0030-beauty4 img_0033-dc

They both were closing their eyes on and off-I caught a pic of Beauty dozing and I captured video of  DC getting some shut eye as well.

img_0044-sleeping-beauty

It was time to get going so I ended my watch at 8:45am leaving our downtown love birds making eyes at each other in between naps. Smiling-you bet I was!  🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/bysNbOhAO7A

http://youtu.be/4QydYcgUiAE

http://youtu.be/ERUfC9SiSFc

Morning watch 2-24-14

Monday, February 24th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Well, we’re back to be the cold arctic air this week-the temperature was 22 (F) -6 (C) lake effect snow has been falling and the sun made it out for maybe an hour before getting swallowed up by snow clouds. We won’t be getting out of the teens and single digits for the rest of the week.

So I found Beauty on the Bausch & Lomb building eating her breakfast at 7am-she was on the northeast corner of the east side.

img_0020-beauty img_0021-beauty

She finished up in about 20 minutes, cleaned herself up a bit and flew off to the OCSR building where I caught up with her.

img_0025-beauty-leaves-bl img_0028-beauty-on-ocsr

I was parked near the Radisson Hotel by Main St. as she turned around to show me her back. I decided this would be a good time to go check the Brighton site (BS)-maybe Dot.Ca (DC) was there with Pigott.

img_0029-hi-beautyful

As I made my way to BS I thought it was cool the way the sun seemed to be swallowed up by the clouds.

img_0030-thought-this-was-a-cool-shot<Click to see full version>img_0031-sun-she-is-a-coming

When I arrived at BS there was one lone falcon and her name is Pigott. She was on the southeast extension on an east facing window 2 floors down with her back to me as well.  They have lovely backs  don’t they!? Miss Pigott did turn her head to reveal a fascinator on her cere. lol

img_0033-hello-miss-pigott img_0034-nice-fascinator img_0042-pigott img_0046-pigott1

I had another rushed watch so I didn’t stay with her for long. Back downtown to find Beauty had moved to the OCSR elevator shaft south side ledge.  She’s a smart girl to go there out of the elements to digest her breakfast-hey, we all do what we have to in order to survive right!?

img_0052-beauty img_0059-beauty1

After looking for DC unsuccessfully I decided to call it a watch at 8:45am-perhaps our paths crossed when I came back downtown. At least I saw the girls and know that they are doing fine. Keep smiling everyone! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/R7k8nm09z8Q

http://youtu.be/zzyR1y5sgFQ

http://youtu.be/oPYx_U_49S0

Sunday Afternoon Falcon Watch – 2/23/14 – Dan is on the Watch Again! WooHoo!

Sunday, February 23rd, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Sunrise 6:54 am; Sunset 5:51 pm.  It was 35 degrees when I ended my Watch today.

While checking out Kodak Park, Mr K, the male Kestrel that I saw yesterday, came to visit again.  He is such a beautiful Kestrel. (12:48 pm)

Mr K Kestrel at KP 2-23-14Mr K Male Kestrel at KP 2-23-14*

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I found no Peregrine Falcons at KP, so I headed downtown.  At first I couldn’t see Beauty at the nest box.  But with a little help from my friends NCA and Lisa McK, I was told she was up there.  Dot.ca was up on the northeast wing ledge. (1:27 pm)

Dot.ca on TSB 2-23-14Beauty at the Nest Box 2-23-14*

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As I was tweeting, a good friend joined me on the Broad St Bridge to watch the falcons.  It was long time Falcon Watcher Dan!  I hadn’t seen him since our New Years toast to the falcons.  We pulled out our lawn chairs and settled in to watch Beauty and Dot.ca.  The sun was out, but there was a cold wind.

At about 2:00 pm, First Dot.ca and then Beauty took off heading south.  It looked like a tandem hunt, but neither were successful.  We never did see where Dot.ca went, but for about 15 minutes Beauty soared higher and higher in hunt mode.  This is the kind of flying that Dan loves to watch.

Dan Watching Beauty Hunt 2-23-14*

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We lost Beauty behind Xerox.  At 2:20 pm, Beauty returned with prey, landing on the north end of the Cross Rds Bldg to eat her meal.  When she was finished, she flew up to the southeast wing ledge on the Time Square Bldg.

Beauty on Cross Rds Bldg with Prey 2-23-14Beauty on SE Wing Ledge TSB 2-23-14*

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At a little after 3:00 pm, Dan had to leave.  We checked out the Red-Breasted Mergansers (RBM) on the north side of the bridge.  There was a lot of water running on the river, all the ice was gone.   But, the RBMs were still there, mostly near the base of the bridge.  I said goodbye to Dan and headed over to the BS location.

Red-Breasted Mergansers on River 2-23-14Red-Breasted Merganser Male on River 2-23-14*

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Neither Pigott or Dot.ca were at the BS location when I arrived at 3:20 pm.  I stayed there, hoping to see them come in.  At 4:15 pm, they both flew in together, arriving with ee-chups filling the air.  Dot.ca landed on the east side tree ledge and Pigott two windows below.

Dot.ca at BS on East Side Tree Ledge 2-23-14Pigott at BS 2 Windows Down from Tree Ledge 2-23-14*

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Dot.ca moved down to the south end of the tree ledge and Pigott took a nap.

Dot.ca on BS Tree Ledge Keeping Watch 2-23-14Dot.ca on BS Tree Ledge Keeping Watch 2-23-14Sleepy Pigott 2-23-14*

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Dot.ca took off and did some fancy flying for Pigott, then landed on the southeast corner of the east extension.  Pigott turned around and seemed to be impressed.  🙂

Dot.ca Took Off to do Some Fancy Flying for Pigott 2-23-14Pigott Turned Around to Watch Him 2-23-14*

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Dot.ca Lands and Shows Off His Black Band 2-23-14Dot.ca on East Ext at BS 2-23-14*

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I left Pigott and Dot.ca to go check on Beauty one last time before I ended my watch.  (5:00 pm)

Beauty was tucked into the OCSR elevator shaft on the south ledge.

Beauty in OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-23-14*

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Now I could end my watch after seeing all three Rochester Falcons safe and sound.  Goodnight everyone!

Morning watch 2-23-14

Sunday, February 23rd, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Todays watch began breezy with a temperature of 35 (F) 2 (C) and ended very windy with bright blue skies and sweet sunshine

At 6:55am I found Beauty under the southeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB). I parked in front of the Blue Cross Arena (BCA) to get the best angle on her.

img_0016-hi-beauty img_0018-looking-at-prey-birds

She flew off 20 minutes later chasing 2 pigeons behind TSB and back to the east over the river where I lost sight of her. I pulled around to Broad St. on the side of BCA and she came back to land on the Mercury money bag (MMB) empty-taloned.

img_0025-beauty img_0027-beauty1<Click it to see full version img_0032-beauty

The Beautyful one stayed there for 15 minutes looking around for a meal and then she flew off to the west.

img_0033-beauty2 img_0042-shes-off<Click it

I drove over to the Frontier Communications tower (FCT) since that was the direction I last saw her flying. Sure enough she was on the east side railing of the platform. I had time for one shot before she flew off in a blurr to the north.

img_0044-beauty3 img_0046-leaving

I looked around the Kodak Office tower but didn’t see her. I then went to the Andrews St. bridge to have a look around and I spotted Beauty chasing pigeons starting over near KO and making her way across the river and disappearing behind buildings to the east. As I happened to notice a nice looking Coopers Hawk on a Water St. building. The pigeons around that area seemed to be teasing it by taking turns in groups of 3 or 4 and flying above and around it.

img_0056-coop

After checking around downtown with no luck finding a falcon I left for the Brighton site (BS). As I came around the back of the building I spotted Dot.Ca (DC) on the southeast corner of the southeast extension and a I proceeded to the east side parking lot I saw Pigott up on the northeast corner of the east extension.

img_0061-pigott <Pigott    DC>  img_0063-dc

Since DC had his back to me from that side I went back to the south  (back) side of the building for a better angle on him. A few minutes later DC flew over in the direction of Pigott whom I couldn’t see from where I was parked. I immediately pulled away and just as they came into view DC flew off of Pigotts’ back side as they had just mated. I had my window down the whole way and could hear it but missed it visually.

img_0067-dc2 <DC>  img_0072-taking-off-to-mate-with-pigott

img_0093-pigott1 <Pigott> img_0100-pigott

He promptly flew back to the southeast extension and came to rest on the northeast corner above the roof top tree. Pigott started preening.

img_0076-dc <DC img_0094-pigott-preening <Pigott> img_0098-pigott

Around 8:40am DC flew off followed immediately by Miss Pigott going northeast. I saw birds scattering and over near Highland Park as Pigott and DC went buzzing thru. I lost sight of them and about a minute later at 8:50am I spotted a falcon (most likely DC) flying southwest in the direction of downtown. I waited a few more minutes and when nobody returned I left for downtown.

Right about this time Donna tweeted that Beauty was at the nest box and she was looking up like DC was there so thanks to her I knew right where to go first-the hole! I made it just in time to see DC fly west from under the northeast wing and Beauty shoot out from the nest box to follow after him. They returned a couple minutes later, I took a couple shots of DC under the wing then went up to the Broad St. bridge where I could see Beauty in the nest box.

img_0105-dc img_0106-dc1 img_0108-beauty-preening-at-nest-box img_0112-beautyful

DC flew off to the east at 9:07am and while I watched him Beauty snuck out of the nest box. I took a ride to the east side and returned to the bridge having no luck finding DC but I did find Beauty on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR. The sun was washing her out making it impossible to get a good pic so I went down to Graves St. by Aqueduct Park across from OCSR arriving just in time for her to fly west to parts unknown.

img_0122-beauty-takes-off img_0123-beauty img_0124-beauty img_0125-beautyful

What a way to end my watch eh!? I left downtown at 9:30am smiling because not only did I see all 3 Rochester Peregrine Falcons but the sun was shining and-well, love is in the air here amongst our beloved falcons and that’s a very good thing! 🙂

Click on the links below to see todays videos

http://youtu.be/rBjPWnpNEZ8

http://youtu.be/PHWzrLQ2wys

http://youtu.be/wzwqM26Gt0s

http://youtu.be/hiCM6_rID_s


Saturday Afternoon Falcon Watch – 2/22/14 – The Winds, They Were A’blowin!

Saturday, February 22nd, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Sunrise at 6:56 am; Sunset at 5:49 pm.

The temperature during my watch was 40 degrees (F).  It started with sunshine and a brilliant blue sky and ended with clouds moving in.  The winds were gusting up to 60 mph!  But that didn’t bother our Rochester Falcons.

While I was at Kodak Park looking for a Peregrine Falcon, and not finding any, a smaller falcon caught my attention.  While I was in the parking lot, a male Kestrel landed on a nearby snow pile.  That was a first.  From there, he hunted the field in front of the fence and returned to land in one of the small trees near where I was parked.  The lighting was perfect for taking pictures.  Here are a couple I took. (2:00 pm)

Kestrel at KP 2-22-14Kestrel at KP 2-22-14*

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While I was watching the Kestrel hunt, I received a tweet from Donna (thank you!) that both Beauty and Dot.ca were at the nest box.  So, I headed in that direction.  I came in from the west side of the Times Square Bldg, driving through the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood.  This neat painting was on the corner.

Susan B Anthony Neighborhood 2-22-14*

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View of the Times Square Bldg (back) from the west side.

View of TSB From the West 2-22-14*

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From the Broad St Bridge (BSB), I could see Dot.ca was now on the top OCSR IBeam (south side) and Beauty was in the nest box.  Before I could get a picture of Dot.ca, he stooped off of the building flying low over the river heading south.  I believe he headed over to the BS location.  I met Bob, who was there for the first time to see the Rochester Falcons.  I pointed out the nest box to him just as Beauty flew out and over to the OCSR, where she zipped up into the elevator shaft.

Beauty in the Nest Box 2-22-14*

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We chatted for awhile, looking at the growing group of Red-Breasted Mergansers (RBM) on the river below us.  I counted 60 plus now.  At first there had just been females and now males were joining the group.  Very interesting.

Male Red-Breasted Merganser on River 2-22-14Female Red-Breasted Merganser on River 2-22-14Red-Breasted Mergansers on River 2-22-14*

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I said goodbye to Bob and headed over to the BS location, where I found Dot.ca on the east end tree ledge. (3:15 pm)

Dot.ca at BS on East End Tree Ledge 2-22-14Dot.ca at BS on East End Tree Ledge 2-22-14*

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The winds were howling around the building, but that didn’t bother Dot.ca.  He took off and whipped around and over the building, then swooping low to the ground and above the building again. (3:30 pm)

Dot.ca Took Off into the High Winds at BS 2-22-14Dot.ca Flying On the High Winds 2-22-14Dot.ca Flying On the High Winds 2-22-14*

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Somewhere during that flight, I believe he caught a small bird, probably a Starling.  Dot.ca landed on the southeast corner of the east extension carrying prey and started plucking.

Dot.ca Landed with Prey at BS 2-22-14Dot.ca Started Prepping His Meal 2-22-14*

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A few minutes later, I hear soft ee-chupping and in comes Pigott, carrying food of her own.  She landed on the center of the east end tree ledge and Dot.ca carried his food over to the same ledge to her left.  Feathers were flying from two areas on the ledge.  We had tandem eating going on.  lol (3:33 pm)

Pigott with Prey at BS Tree Ledge 2-22-14Pigott with Prey at BS Tree Ledge 2-22-14*

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Pigott finished first and she started to preen.  Dot.ca took off with what was left of his meal and flew over me.  He started to kak kak kak and I got out of my car expecting to see a hawk or crow.  But there was nothing.  Pigott wailed for just a few seconds and they both went quiet.  Dot.ca landed on the northeast corner of the east extension and continued his meal.    I have no idea what bothered them.  Of course their vision is much better than mine, so I’m sure something was flying through that caught their attention.

Dot.ca finished his meal and hung onto the corner of the building as the winds buffeted him.  Pigott was in an area that was much more protected from the wind.  Every now and then, Dot.ca would have to spread his wings and re-position himself.

Dot.ca Hanging on During the 60 mph Wind Gusts 2-22-14*

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I left Pigott and Dot.ca at BS and checked on Beauty, who was still up inside the OCSR elevator shaft.  She had switched from the north side to the south side ledge.  (4:40 pm)

Beauty in the OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-22-14Beauty in the OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-22-14*

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Before heading home, I drove down to the lake to see if I could find any falcons there.  As I was heading north down Lake Ave, I spotted a Peregrine Falcon zipping around on the high winds flying along the river heading south.  I was not able to see where this falcon went and it was too quick a look to tell if it was adult or juvenile.  This was near the O’Rourke Bridge.  (5:00 pm)  I checked Charlotte and Russell Station with no luck finding any falcons.  This ended my watch for today.  Goodnight everyone!

Morning watch 2-22-14

Saturday, February 22nd, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

As I started my watch this morning it was a little breezy and mostly cloudy with a temperature of 37 (F) 3 (C). The sun rose and burst thru as the wind picked up and moved the clouds along at a pretty fast pace

img_0001-the-day-is-looming <You must click on my pics to view the full version>img_0003-sunrise-in-rochester

Today my watch started out at 7:05am on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) where I spotted Beauty near the nest box and Dot.Ca (DC) under the northeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB).

img_0005-beauty-in-front-of-nest-box <Beauty   img_0006-dc-under-the-northeast-wing-of-times-square<DC

I drove down to the hole next to the Wilder building to watch them but just as I arrived I heard DC start chirping and then he flew off to the north. He came back thru flying over the nest box area before flying southwest out of view. I missed him joining Beauty at the nest box for a quick bowing session as reported by cam watcher and good friend Donna. After DC left Beauty flew over to cam 1.

img_0007-beauty1

Around 7:20am the Beautyful one flew southwest and when I next found her she was on the east side of  Bausch & Lomb (B&L) on the northeast corner.

img_0017-beauty-on-bl

10 minutes later she crouched down as she does when DC is approaching and flew off with him. They circled B&L a few times and then returned to the TSB.

img_0024-beauty-spots-dc img_0026-there-she-goes

I was parked on Broad St. across from Midtown and could see DC under the northeast wing of TSB and Beauty was on the main cam. I went back to the hole to be closer to our downtown pair.

img_0027-dc1 img_0031-bdc img_0032-beauty-all-foofed-up

They both did some serious preening as every once in a while Beauty would softly whine-I think she was trying to entice him to come to the nest box. I moved to in front of the Blue Cross Arena on Exchange Blvd. for a side view. Couldn’t see DC tho because of the way he was situated.

img_0051-beautys-intense-look img_0050-im-3-times-a-lady img_0067-dc img_0072-dc

I waited until about 8:30am and then headed over to the Brighton location-enroute I got a tweet from Larry saying Pigott was on the southeast extension. When I arrived she was still there on an east facing window below the tree that grows on the roof showing her back. Larry and Harold were taking a walk out in the woods and then they joined me.

img_0077-pigott img_0089-pigott-starting-her-stretch-exercises

Larry and Harold left after a brief stay and Pigott turned around to do some stretching before showing me her back again.

img_0093-pigott img_0094-pigott img_0095-pigott1

I left her to it and went back downtown arriving about 9:05am to find Beauty peeking out from in front of the nest box and DC still under the northeast wing preening.

img_0096-peekaboo-beauty<Beauty  DC>img_0098-dc img_0106-dc

It was time to get going so I ended my watch at 9:15am after seeing all 3 Rochester Peregrine Falcons which as you know makes me smile! 🙂

Today I have a link for a photo album plus 4 videos below, just click and view

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqjVa

http://youtu.be/_ttTZEd_m30

http://youtu.be/4rE1tmnSH0I

http://youtu.be/xzW4ZXzjCV0

http://youtu.be/tnddHe63D_I


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