By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

I was a wonderful three days of watching the Rochester Falcons.  Here are some pictures from my watches so you can see what I saw.  🙂

Friday, 2/7/14

KP Falcon at Kodak Park Friday morning.

*

*

*

*

*

Dot.ca and Pigott at the BS location.  Fellow Watcher Kathy O joined me here.

While Dot.ca was eating dinner on the east extension of the building….

*

*

*

*

*

Pigott was having lots of fun chasing the passing Crows away from her building.  Really wish I could have gotten a picture of her when she chased the Crows.  Quite amazing, the speed of these Peregrines!

*

*

*

*

*

It was a cold late afternoon and the snow was blowing!

*

*

*

*

*

When I arrived downtown, there were a whole lot of folks heading into the Blue Cross Arena (aka Rochester War Memorial).  I was not able to check on Beauty, but she had been seen earlier in the day by MAK.

*

*

*

*

*

Saturday, 2/8/14

KP Falcon at Kodak Park on Saturday Afternoon.

*

*

*

*

*

I joined Dana downtown.  Beauty was up on top of the Times Square Bldg (TSB) on the ledge below the northeast wing.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Dana and I decided to head over to the BS location where we joined Pat.  Dot.ca was up on the southeast corner of the east extension.

*

*

*

*

*

Pigott flew in carrying a large pigeon.  She landed on the tree ledge on the east end of the building.

*

*

*

*

*

Dot.ca landed above her and watched for awhile before joining her on the ledge just to her right.  Pigott mantled her meal and plucked and ate.  This was her way of saying back off, until I’m done!  lol  Dot.ca did wait patiently for her to finish.

*

*

*

*

*

Finally Pigott is done with her meal and Dot.ca again lands next to her and moves closer and closer.  Pigott just looked at him, not making a move and allowed him to grab what was left.  He took the leftovers to the southeast corner of the east extension and ate his fill.  Nothing goes to waste.

*

*

*

*

*

Here is a video of when Pigott first brought in the pigeon and Dot.ca landed next to her.   Notice how she mantles her food.  Dot.ca patiently waits for her to finish eating.

Just click on this YouTube link.  You’ll hear Dana and I talking.  Sorry about that.  lol

http://youtu.be/2y30JsN9MO8 <—Click this YouTube Link to see video.

Sunday, 2/9/14

Another cold, snowy late morning, early afternoon.  I did get to see all three Rochester Falcons again today.

Again, I started at Kodak Park and again the KP Falcon was there.

*

*

*

*

*

Downtown I found Beauty tucked up inside the OCSR elevator shaft on the north side ledge.  It was hard to see her because of the snow.

*

*

*

*

*

My next stop was the BS location.  Both Dot.ca and Pigott were on the north side of the building.  Pigott was eating on the northeast corner of the northeast extension and Dot.ca was watching from the northeast corner of the northwest extension.

*

*

*

*

*

Pigott finished her meal and flew around to the west end of the building.  Dot.ca had a full crop, so he stayed where he was and did not follow her.  I found Pigott on the southwest corner of the west extension.

*

*

*

*

*

I left Pigott and Dot.ca settled on the building at BS and went back over to Kodak Park.  The falcon that had been there earlier, was now gone.  🙂

So, all three Rochester Falcons were seen safe and sound this weekend.  Goodnight everyone!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Cold today with a brisk wind making the 10 degrees (F)  -12 (C)  feel like -6 (F) Mostly cloudy when my watch started, the clouds started breaking up and by the time my watch was over sunshine and blue skies prevailed

I searched downtown for over an hour this morning for a falcon with no success, so I went to Brighton to try my luck there. Arriving  at 8:15am I found Pigott on a top floor east facing window ledge on the southeast extension with her back to me.

Miss Pigott was her usual alert self turning her head to keep an eye on her surroundings. She stretched a little but that’s about all the action out of her today in the hour I was with her.

When I pulled over on Exchange Blvd. near Plymouth Ave. to take a look at downtown from the south I spotted a falcon on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR. I drove to the hole to see who it was and identified it as Beauty.

She had her back to me so I went to the Radisson Hotel by Main St. to get a better view of her. When I got there she was gone but I recognized the distinct chirp of Dot.Ca (DC) echoing from the elevator shaft. I looked up and saw the Beautyful one on the south side ledge and she seemed to be bowing, but I was at the wrong angle to see the north ledge.

While I was taping a video of Beauty I saw a tail moving on the north ledge so when I finished I drove further down the hotel driveway to find that DC was indeed on that ledge.

<Click on pics to see  full version>

DC wasn’t showing himself too well but I did get one halfway decent pic of him.

They were most likely going to stay there to keep warm so I ended my watch at 9:3oam.

Carol had tweeted an hour earlier that the mystery falcon was at Kodak Park (KP) on the east stack. I have been wondering if DC has been the one hanging out at KP since no reports of  him being seen anywhere else at the same time as when the mystery bird has been seen there. Since DC was with Beauty I decided to take a ride over to KP to see if the falcon Carol saw was still there-it was not. This certainly doesn’t prove that DC is the KP falcon but it does make it look a little more possible. Remember, Unity came from KP and I’m sure she brought DC there when he first came to town and they were a pair, so it would make sense for him to go there. I hope we can soon ID the KP falcon and solve this mystery.

I have to house and animal sit for my nephew down in Nunda (paradise 2) over the weekend so I won’t be on watch until Monday in case anyone is wondering why I’m not out tomorrow and Sunday morning. I saw all 3 resident Rochester Peregrine Falcons so I can leave town with a smile, knowing that they are safe and sound! 🙂

Click on the links below to view my videos from todays watch

http://youtu.be/IFh3cnNQgg0

http://youtu.be/yp52Xx90RkU

http://youtu.be/Am5SZfTtWdc

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

The roads were finally cleared after a snow storm hit Rochester, NY.  We received over a foot of snow yesterday.  Now it is going to get really cold again.

As I type this report, it is 14 (F) degrees and feels like 2 (F) degrees.  Sunset was at 5:28 pm.

My watch started at Kodak Park.  It was snowing lightly.  After getting out of work, I checked the smoke stacks and found an adult Peregrine Falcon on the small  silver box, next to the red light, above the lower catwalk on the east stack. (3:30 pm)

*

*

*

*

*

MAK had tweeted at approximately 2:20 pm that Pigott was at the BS location.  I headed there next hoping to see her.  But, when I got there at 4:00 pm, Pigott was gone.  I circled the building twice and watched for awhile, but she did not return.  So, I headed downtown.

I drove around the downtown area and ended up checking the OCSR elevator shaft.  Not one, but two falcons were up there, both with their backs to me.   Beauty on the left (south ledge) and Dot.ca on the right (north ledge). (4:30 pm)

*

*

*

*

*

After verifying that there were two falcons up inside the OCSR elevator shaft, I headed back over to Kodak Park to see if the KP Falcon was there or not.  I could not find a falcon there. (4:50 pm)

Keep warm and safe everyone!  Goodnight!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a clear, cold, and calm morning with a temperature of 9 degrees (F) -13 (C) when I headed out for my watch. I was about 20  minutes later to leave due to it taking longer than I anticipated to snow blow the driveway and clean off my car after getting about a foot of snow yesterday and last night

After checking the east side I spotted a falcon under the northeast wing of the Times Square building as I sat at the traffic light at Broad St. and South Ave. around 7:40am. Its back was facing out so I went to Exchange St. in front of the Blue Cross Arena to see who it was.

This was Dot.Ca (DC) and he had a fresh catch from which he was plucking feathers. I decided to go down to the hole to watch and after a couple minutes he cooperated by turning around to face me as he ate his breakfast in the bright sunshine.

DC eats very fast like someone is going to take it away from him, having a bite then raising up to have a look  around and make sure nobody is out there stalking him and his meal. They all do this but DC seems to do it at a faster pace! Cracks me up!!

I knew he’d be busy for a while so I left to check the Brighton site (BS) . I arrived there around 8:30am and after 3 trips around the property I left as I didn’t spot any falcons. Upon returning downtown I was unsuccessful in finding any falcons there either. I couldn’t hang around any longer so I ended my watch at 9:30am. I wish I had seen the girls but I’m sure they are ok. I smiled thinking about DC and his feeding frenzy earlier as I left downtown! 🙂

Click on the links to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/R-oGeLNhBLY

http://youtu.be/DOUhvaMPg40

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Roads were greasy this morning as we got a couple inches of snow over nite. With a temperature of 23 (F) -5 (C) and calm overcast conditions and light snow to start-the wind picked up during my watch and as I made my way home the snow picked up as well

My first sighting of a falcon was around 7:20am when I spotted one flying near Bausch & Lomb from the Broad St. bridge. I drove over to the east side of the river and from Woodbury St. near the Geva Theater I could see a falcon  on the southeast corner of HSBC.

For a closer view I parked on Court St. below HSBC and took a couple pics and judging by the salmon color I saw, this was Beauty.

I then drove out further for a better angle, parking on Chestnut St. in front of Martin Luther King Park (formerly known as Manhattan Square Park).

I stayed with the Beautyful one until she flew off around 7:45am. She circled above HSBC then drifted to the east out of sight in the murky sky. I took a ride around downtown but didn’t find any falcons so I struck out for the Brighton Site (BS). The traffic was backed up along the whole route, so it took me 20 minutes instead of 5 to get there. Arriving at 8:30am I found a falcon on an east facing window 2nd level down on the northeast extension.

Due to the very white neck I believe this is Dot.Ca but I couldn’t be certain. I never got a good enough look at the malar stripe area to make a determination.

It was obvious it was hunkered down and wasn’t going to show me anything but its back so I didn’t stay long.  When I returned to downtown I wasn’t able to locate any falcons so I called it a watch as the snow was starting to intensify at 9:30am. I wish I had found all 3 Rochester Peregrine Falcons to know they’re all safe but you can’t always get what you want eh?! Keep smiling everyone! 🙂

Click on the links below to see a couple videos of Beauty

http://youtu.be/_7b5O2-JvdY

http://youtu.be/TebWlFjXw_0

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Snow, snow and more snow is on its way to Rochester (NY).  We are under a Winter Storm Warning that is supposed to start around 10 pm.

Sunset was at 5:26 pm and the temps were in the 20’s (F) during my late af ternoon falcon watch.  As I type this report, it is 24 (F) degrees and feels like 16 (F).

At Kodak Park, I found an adult Peregrine Falcon on the east stack, lower catwalk, south side.  Still too far to tell if this falcon is banded or not.  Maybe some day we’ll know.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

At the BS location, I found Pigott on the northeast corner of the northwest extension.  I did not find Dot.ca at this location.

*

*

*

*

*

My last stop was downtown Rochester, where I found Beauty on the money bag hand of the Mercury statue.  It was nice to see her outside of the elevator shaft.  lol

*

*

*

*

*

I checked all over the downtown area, but could not find Dot.ca. I’m glad that MAK saw him this morning.

My watch ended after finding the KP Falcon, Pigott and Beauty.  Wish I had seen Dot.ca!  Goodnight everyone!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Not a cloud in the sky and a starting temperature of 16 (F)  -9 (C)  this morning as I headed downtown

I was very happy to see Beauty on the Mercury money bag (MMB) as I arrived at 7:15am. I pulled over on Broad St. next to the Blue Cross Arena to hang out with her.

The Beautyful one did some stretching exercises to start her day followed by a lot of looking around for breakfast.

She flew off at 7:34am straight over to the Times Square building (TSB) and came to rest under the northeast wing.

For the best view I parked on Exchange Blvd. in front of the Blue Cross Arena. I didn’t stay long because I was anxious to find Dot.Ca (DC) since he wasn’t seen yesterday and we had that mystery falcon hanging around.

Enroute to the Brighton site after not finding DC downtown I just had to click off a couple pics of the sun shining thru some trees on South Ave.

<Click to see the full view 

I reached BS at 8:15am finding Pigott on the northeast corner of the east extension-there was no good place to observe her due to the way she was situated but I did get a couple pics when she turned her head my way.

I didn’t stay very long with Miss Pigott since DC wasn’t at BS either. Returning to downtown around 9:10am as is my usual routine, I stop on Exchange Blvd. near Plymouth Ave. to check out the jail tower, TSB, Mercury, Crossroads and OCSR. I could see a falcon under the southeast wing of TSB and got excited thinking it was DC.

<Click it    

I went to the hole (Aqueduct St.) and was pleasantly surprised to find two falcons-Beauty under the southeast wing and DC under the northeast wing of TSB. She had her back facing out but he was front and center.

<Click it

DC left about 10 minutes later when I wasn’t looking and I had to fly myself, but I left with a big smile on my face for having seen all 3 resident Rochester Peregrine Falcons!  🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/TYzHFZeeb1Q

http://youtu.be/Hiyx_0HUDu4

http://youtu.be/zwTzmIly8Wk

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Rochester Weather:  Here we go again.  Rochester is under a Winter Storm Warning From Tuesday Night through Wednesday Evening.  Snow and cold coming our way.  Brrrrr!

As usual, my first stop after getting out of work was Kodak Park.  I was unable to find a Peregrine Falcon, but I did find a smaller falcon, a Kestrel.  Love these gorgeous little birds!

*

*

*

*

*

At the BS location, I found Pigott on a west facing window on the southeast extension where it meets the south side of the building.  She was looking around and preening.  I circled  the building a couple of times, but could not find Dot.ca.

*

*

*

*

*

Downtown, I found Beauty up inside the elevator shaft of the OCSR on the south ledge.  Seems to be her spot at the time I make my way downtown in the late afternoon.  I drove around the downtown area a couple times looking for Dot.ca or any other falcons, but could not find him.

*

*

*

*

*

As I type this, the temperature has dropped to 14 degrees (F).  The sunset at 5:24 p.m.

I drove home via my lake route.  No sign of Billy, but the views over the lake and the sunset at Russell Station and Buck Pond were absolutely gorgeous.  I’ll leave you with some pictures I took along the way.  Enjoy!  Goodnight everyone!

*

*

*

*

<–From Russell Station

*

*

*

*

<– At Buck Pond

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

The weather this morning was overcast with snow flakes in the air and a temperature of 22 (F) -6 (C)

I was a bit unsettled when I spotted a falcon on the southeast corner of  Xerox that I didn’t recognize around 7:20am. The last time I saw a PEFA on that corner was during the epic battle Beauty and an unidentified female had for 2 days back in the fall. I first saw it from Woodbury St.-too far away to have a good look I went over to Chestnut St. by Martin Luther King park.

This falcon did not look like any of our Rochester falcons so I drove over to Broad St. right behind Xerox to get even closer. Judging by the one good shot of the malar stripe area that I got I was positive it was a stray falcon.

Around 7:45am I received a tweet from Shaky that he thought he had Beauty on the southwest corner of the Wilder building. I left to check it out and had quite a time finding a good place to view from as she had her back facing out and she was in off the edge. The best spot ended up being on the Broad St. Bridge by Thomson Reuters.

I left the Beautyful one to check on the mystery falcon but it was gone when I returned to the east side so I went back to Beauty. She finished eating and flew off around 8:25am-I went north looking for her and from the Andrews St. bridge i spotted her under the southeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB).

I found a spot by the Democrat & Chronicle on Broad St. that gave the best view of  Beauty as she had her back facing out again.

Click on my pics to see the full version

I decided to check the Brighton Site (BS) and as I was stopped at the traffic light below TSB I snapped off a shot of Beauty above me before I left.

Arriving at BS at 9:10am I found Pigott on the west end of the south side vent. It was obvious she’d had a good meal for her crop was sticking way out!

I had trouble seeing her head over that full crop at times. lol Miss Pigott did some preening and watched a Blue Jay down below in a tree.

I left to return to downtown wondering if the mystery falcon was still around. I found Beauty to be in the same spot I left her on TSB.

Since the Broad St. Bridge parking was all full from the boat show that’s at the Rochester Convention Center I went over to the Court St. bridge. While there, I noticed a falcon flying up high in the southern sky-it never came toward downtown before disappearing in the dark gray clouds.

I never saw that falcon again as I made a trip around our fair city looking for Dot.Ca who was a no show this morning. I ended my watch at 10:15am smiling for the fact that both of our Rochester female Falcons had eaten and all seemed to be quiet! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/dimTq7Y3s_I

http://youtu.be/Nu3KkOq_ogI

http://youtu.be/sZpy4P16Et0

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Temps around 30 (F) degrees and overcast.  I spent a couple hours with Pigott and Dot.ca out at the BS location.  When I went downtown, I could not find Beauty.

Dot.ca and Pigott were quite active, flying around the building and landing on different spots.  They both went after some Crows that flew too close.

Here are a bunch of pictures from my late morning, early afternoon watch.  Enjoy and Goodnight!

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*