By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

When I started my watch at 6:45 pm, it was near 80 degrees, when I ended it at 8:00 pm, it had dropped to 71 degrees (F).

Kathy O and Dan were on the Broad St Bridge when I arrived.  Dark storm clouds were gathering all around us, but for the moment all was calm.  Both Beauty and Dot.ca were on the top IBeam of the OCSR.  Beauty on the west end and Dot.ca on the south corner.  We could catch glimpses of the eyases at the nest box.

*

*

*

*

*

It started to thunder and lightning lit up the northern sky.  Larry O and Harold joined us as the sky grew darker and darker.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

When the thunder and lightning increased, Beauty and Dot.ca both flew to the Times Square Bldg.  Dot.ca on the northeast wing ledge and Beauty on Camera #1 aka pan cam.

*

*

*

*

*

Beauty flew to the heal on the Mercury statue and we did not see Dot.ca take off.

*

*

*

*

*

It started to lightly rain, so I had to cover up my camera.  Larry and Harold headed out and soon after that Kathy left.  It stopped raining, so Dan and I set up our chairs to continue the watch.

Beauty moved around a bit, first to the ledge directly above the nest box on the Times Square Bldg and then out to the jail communication tower.

*

*

*

*

*

Dan and I were explaining about the falcons to a nice gentleman from Houston, TX, when the sky opened up on us.  We all ran for our cars.  By the time I got into mine, I was soaked!

Dan decided to call it a night, so I turned my car around and parked on the north side of the bridge facing west.  This way I would have a good view of the Times Square Bldg and Beauty on the jail tower.  The rain didn’t last long and some sun tried to break through the clouds.  I went down to Aqueduct St (aka “the hole”) hoping to find Dot.ca, but I didn’t.  By the time I went back up to the Broad St Bridge, Beauty was gone from the jail comm tower.  I checked the nest box and was pretty sure she was up there with an eyas at her side.  I tweeted out that I thought Beauty might be up there and received texts back from Kris G and Kathy O saying that yes, she was in the nest box on the perch.  Thanks Kris and Kathy!

*

*

*

*

*

At a little after 8:00 pm, I ended my watch and headed home.  All was quiet and peaceful downtown.

On my way home, I made a quick stop at Maplewood Park and looked across the Genesee River at Seneca Towers.  I could see a falcon on an antenna on the north end of the roof.  That was a very nice way to end my day. Goodnight everyone!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a very humid morning, overcast with a temperature of 67 (F) 20 (C)-it rained lightly on and off throughout my watch

I had to go looking for our beloved falcons this morning-it was just about 7am when I found one on the east side. From Woodbury St. near the Geva Theater I spotted Beauty on the southwest corner of HSBC and she had food. I drove over to Court St. for a closer view but she left before I could get there. While on my way to the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) I got a tweet from Annette saying Beauty was feeding the eyasses. Thanks!

Around 7:10am I saw Dot.Ca (DC) fly in from the north with food and land on the deck by the main cam so I went down to the hole. DC stood there most likely waiting for Beauty to come out of the nest box and grab the food but after a couple minutes he took off with his small package in tow taking it to the base of Mercury and started eating.

At 7:24am Beauty flew over to join DC bringing a leftover wing with her-they had a bit of a conversation and 5 minutes later at 7:29am DC flew off to the deck with what was left of his prey followed by Beauty who then took the chunk of food from him and went into the nest to feed the kids.

<Click it>

<Click it>

DC flew northeast and when I looked around I spotted who I thought was DC on the top ibeam west corner of OCSR but it turned out to be Beauty.

At 7:43am DC came flying past Beauty from the north heading to the Times Square building and she took off right behind him. Beauty went in the nest box and DC flew over to the Mercury money bag.

While I was watching DC, Beauty-as reported by Annette, went up to cam 1. When I got the tweet at 8:01am I looked, but Beauty was gone already. As I watched DC on Mercury from Broad St. next to the Blue Cross Arena I glanced over at OCSR and could just barely make out the head of Beauty on the top ibeam north side of the west corner.

I left them at 8:30am as they had the nest box and this part of their territory well guarded. Keep smiling! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/1h-DOo1Q8uk

http://youtu.be/h22wruYDCFg

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Remember this day as it started out calm, warm and sunny with a temp of 59 (F) 16 (C)

Little did we know that this would be banding day for the Rochester Peregrine Falcon chicks! I started my watch in the hole watching Beauty and Dot.Ca (DC) on the top ibeam of OCSR-they chose opposite corners with the Beautyful one on the west corner and DC on the south corner.

They hung out in these spots for a while until DC pooped and  took off and when I looked Beauty had left as well.

Having trouble with site so I’ll just narrate and provide a link for pic and videos at the end of this report.

Any way, DC went to the northeast wing ring on the Times Square building (TSB) and I don’t know where Beauty went as I was watching DC at the time of departure. DC flew northeast at about 7:24am only to return a minute later coming to rest on the northwest wing ring. I stepped out to get some coffee and while I was gone chatting up our falcons and website Annette reported That a falcon who she thought might be Beauty was on the main cam then went to cam 1 and saw 1 eyas flee and return to the nest box from the front porch. Thank you Annette!

DC showed up on cam 1 around 8:42am and 10 minutes later flew off to the northwest. Right around this time I was wondering where Beauty was hiding. At the 9 o’clock hour to my surprise I spotted Jenny Landry (DEC) walking into the Times Square building-I knew that meant the banding of the eyasses was going to be real soon. I set out to look for Beauty and DC but quite frankly my heart wasn’t in it. I ended my watch at about 9:09am and hung around to observe our Peregrine Falcon adults as they stressed over people being at their nest box invading their territory and getting too close to their family of 4. I took no pics or videos of the banding events from the ground- I just took it all in and when it was over I left downtown.

I got some calls and messages from people who were afraid that something was wrong with one of the eyasses as it was on its back and not moving. I tweeted it out to bring it to the attention of the banding group who were still in the Times Square building. They were monitoring the situation as I called June Summers, president of the Genesee Valley Audubon Society (GVAS). She assured me that they were watching and that the eyas had a very full crop which made it very sluggish when they took it from the nest and that they were confident all would be ok, which it was as the eyas got right up when Beauty came to the nest box. Phew! A good reason to smile! 🙂

Click on the links below to view my photo album and videos from this mornings watch

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqjkw

http://youtu.be/aFbBEnUavBA

http://youtu.be/i61ojsRhvxo

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Sun and blue skies ruled once again this morning with a temperature of  58 (F) 15 (C)

I spotted the white spot on the top ibeam south corner of OCSR as soon as it came into view  from my turn onto the Broad St. bridge (BSB) from South Ave. I knew it was Dot.Ca (DC) as I drove down to the hole.

I then drove down to Graves St. next to Aqueduct Park for a closer view of  daddy DC after he flew northeast and returned to the same spot.

At 6:46am something caught his eye and he quickly spread his wings, took off and went into a stoop to the northwest along the southwest side of OCSR and out of sight.

I went back up to the hole to see DC return a minute later with a fresh catch taking it to the top ibeam southwest side of OCSR and started plucking feathers. Soon after that Beauty showed up on the south corner to supervise. She was whining to him and after a few minutes he flew off to the Times Square building with Beauty following right behind.

<DC     Beauty> 

Click it to see Beauty and DC  <Beauty in hot pursuit

DC landed on the deck and Beauty promptly landed and took his small package into the nest box to feed their little darlin’s at 6:59am. DC flew over to the west corner top ibeam of OCSR .

DC had a feather or two stuck to his beak. Beauty flew up to cam 1 at 7:13am and promptly started napping while DC hung out on OCSR. Around this time Annette sent out word that an eyas was out of the nest box-Beauty didn’t seem too concerned as she continued napping with her back to the nest box area. She did look over her shoulder to check at times.

DC left OCSR around 7:30am or so and after a trip to the north to look for him I returned to the hole where I found him on the Wilder green strip with his back to me. He turned his head every now and again so I could have a look at his handsomeness!

I called it a watch with a smile at 8am as our dynamic downtown duo were relaxing in the morning sun! 🙂

Click on the pics below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/x8VvwP3XFkw

http://youtu.be/oBnB4V9HEvE

http://youtu.be/9iBxa9tFWZw

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
What a gorgeous morning for a watch with a temperature of 57 (F) 14 (C) and blue sun shiny skies

As I rounded the corner from South Ave. to the Broad St. bridge (BSB) I spotted a falcon watcher on the south side of the bridge sitting in his lawn chair. It was Dan and he had his binoculars up to his face watching Dot.Ca (DC) on the top ibeam south corner of OCSR. As I made a u-turn to pull up behind his car I got that big beautiful smile of his-a great way to start my watch! Make sure to click on my pics to see larger version

At 6:30am DC flew over to the heel of Mercury and seconds later Beauty appeared out of nowhere and knocked him off taking his place while he went over to cam 1.

At about 6:50am Beauty flew east crossing the river going behind the Chase building and continuing on past Bausch & Lomb, circling above Xerox then flying over Midtown and vanishing on the east side. Meanwhile DC remained on cam 1 watching over his offspring. I had tweeted this but for some reason it didn’t get sent. Around 7am DC flew up to the northeast wing ledge and soon after stooped down toward the Wilder building out of view. A minute later I noticed DC on the top ibeam south corner of OCSR.

At 7:15am Dan left and I went for a ride to look for Beauty-as I was coming up on the BSB from the east side I saw a falcon fly to the base of Mercury from the OCSR building where I had left DC. I reported that it was DC but it was actually Beauty as I could plainly see when I was checking my pics for this report. She was catching her breath before pulling feathers out of a fresh kill and then she  had a few bites as I observed her from the hole.

At 7:41am the Beautyful one flew off Mercury with her package and took it over to the Times Square building (TSB) lower back roof north side after DC came off cam 1 met her over the Philipone building then flew back to cam 1. At the time I thought there was a food exchange but they faked me out!

Beauty had a few bites then cached the remains and flew around to knock DC off cam 1. Larry was up on the BSB with Harold at this time reporting what he could see from there. DC flew to the Mercury money bag (NNB) and Beauty flew down to the nest box. I then went up to the BSB to join Larry.

It quieted down after that so I checked out the Genesee River-the water level is down to where shore birds can enjoy it again. The only birds down there were ducks at the time-hopefully we’ll start seeing herons again soon.

Larry and I decided to head out as all was calm in the Rochester Peregrine Falcon world-we were both smiling! 🙂

Click on the links below to see more pics and videos

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqjkS

http://youtu.be/CWtBFam6PQM

http://youtu.be/9L72HDTKZYo

http://youtu.be/MtXUQS1-rGc

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

The sun was shining bright under blue skies and a temperature of 49 (F) 9 (C)

As I turned onto the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) from South Ave. I spotted movement on the green base of Mercury. I pulled over and got out of the car to see that it was Dot.Ca (DC) eating and plucking a feather here and there.

At 6:28am DC flew over to the Times Square building (TSB) landing on the deck with a nice red chunk of goodness for his family-he went promptly into the nest box to feed them.

I went down to the hole parking lot to watch after taking a look around for Beauty. At some point DC snuck out the nest box because at 6:45am I noticed him under the northwest wing of TSB with his back to me.

I went across the street to the parking lot next to the TSB for a better angle and 5 minutes later Beauty flew in from the northeast and landed on cam 1. I returned to the hole as I couldn’t see anything but her back as well.

At 6:58am the Beautyful one flew northeast only to return half a minute later and DC was gone from the northwest wing ledge.

Both Campgee and Larry reported an eyas was out on the platform-thanks! Now the nervous watching starts for all of us as the kids start venturing out of the nest box and give us fits when they get close to the edge! This was sleepy time for Beauty and as I turned to look at Mercury I discovered DC up on the money bag.

They seemed to be settled in preening, napping and watching over their territory. The police started to block off roads for a Fast and Furriness 5&10K run in town this morning so I decided to end my watch early at 7:30am so as not to get blocked in.

Joyce was asked to go to Buffalo and try to ID a couple falcons there-she asked if I would join her, so hence the early departure this morning. I left smiling as usual after seeing both of our downtown Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/lUTsVfuaooU

http://youtu.be/5DtuLuYHtpY

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

I forgot to check the temperature when I left this morning but I did check it on my way out of downtown on the State St. bank clock. It was 58 (F)  14 (C) and sunshine prevailed throughout my morning watch

As I arrived on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) I could see Beauty up in the front of the nest box. As I pulled over she flew out heading east crossing the river out of sight. A couple minutes later she returned and landed on the top ibeam south corner of  OCSR. I then went down to the hole for closer viewing.

At 6:41am the Beautyful one spread her wings and sprung off the ibeam heading south quickly leaving my field of vision behind buildings.

A few minutes later Beauty returned coming to rest under the southeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB). I decided to park on Exchange Blvd. in front of the Blue Cross Arena (BCA) to view her from a different angle.

<Click it

Beauty then performed a series of  hand signals which is always good for seeing those BYFs (Big Yellow Feet).

At just about 7am Beauty suddenly dropped off the ledge going into stoop formation so fast that all I could do was watch as she went straight down toward the hole parking lot after a bird. I lost her for a split second behind the Philippone building before she came back into view over Exchange Blvd. in front of He’s Chinese. She was swooping back and forth like a pendulum coming close to the road on the downswing no more than 3-4 feet above it, scaring the heck out of me as the light changed and cars were heading that way! Thankfully she flew off toward Widows Walk before getting hit by a car only to fly back thru with prey in her talons and went to the base of Mercury with it.

Beauty had caught herself a Mourning Dove and it was still alive when she first landed as I could see it flapping its wings in an attempt to escape-mercifully she quickly ended its life, plucked some feathers then flew to the nest box to feed the eyasses. She spent about 10 minutes in there then I saw her fly up to cam 1 as I went back to the hole to observe.

Just about the time I started wondering where her mate Dot.Ca (DC) was, Beauty spotted him coming from the north with food and she took wing to meet him.

The race was on to reach the deck with Beauty right on his tail feathers. Their was a flurry of wings and vocalization as they landed so I couldn’t tell you who landed first but Beauty promptly took the food and went in the nest box as DC flew over to the top ibeam south corner of OCSR.

I situated myself where I could see DC on OCSR and the nest box area from Aqueduct St. DC dozed off a little as I wait for Beauty to emerge from the nest.

I decided to go up on the BSB where I could see in the nest box somewhat and as I was pulled over watcher Pat walked by on her way to work at Thomson Reuters. I caught up with her and gave her the scoop on the mornings activity and then she was on her way again. I couldn’t see Beauty so I returned to my spot in the hole and soon after Beauty flew up to cam 1. She too was sleepy as I noticed her eyelids shut a couple times.

Meanwhile, over on OCSR DC was awake and preening. He pooped and got back to maintaining his feathers as I started packing up my equipment to leave.

I was sure the kids were in a food coma after getting 2 meals in a short period of time as their parents were relaxing in the warm morning sunshine. I ended my watch at 8:15am smiling after another great watch! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/RY5AO_t6ihQ
http://youtu.be/-JVue4kq-CM
http://youtu.be/-UJG3s-DUFA

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Brrr, I guess the cold front they promised has come thru as the temperature was only 47 (F)  8 (C) when I started my watch this morning but the sun was shining up above with bright blue skies

As I arrived in the hole at 6:20am I could see Beauty perched up on cam 1. She stayed there until 6:32am when she flew off to OCSR.

I believe the Beautyful one was looking for her mate Dot.Ca (DC) to come with breakfast for their 4 little darlings. She was looking north and at 6:39am DC came flying thru and Beauty was off right on his tail feathers, chasing him over to the deck. There was some vocalization as they landed next to the main cam almost simultaneously with Beauty grabbing the food and going into the nest box to feed the eyasses.

<Beauty takes off after DC

DC stood there for half a minute-probably trying to figure out what just happened then flew to the top ibeam west corner to watch.

While I was taping DC, a blind homeless man appeared on the corner of Main and Aqueduct St.-you could hear him on my video calling out asking if this was west Main St. There were people standing around, walking past him and nobody would help him, so when I finished taping I got out the car and walked down to him. He wanted to know if this was the west Main bus stop-I told him no that’s across the street and would he like me to walk him across-he said please grab my elbow and let’s go. He said he wanted the Jefferson Ave. bus-so I checked the digital board and told him it was on schedule and should arrive in 2 minutes. I stayed until he got on the bus with his walking pole. Sheesh-why are people so uncaring!?

Anyway,back to my watch-this is where it got confusing because when I returned I didn’t see DC on that west corner of OCSR. When I checked with my binoculars I saw a falcon whom I thought was still DC with his back to me a little bit off the corner now, then I saw it turn around and walk to the corner and feak. It was Beauty-she must have knocked DC from the corner.

At 7:09am Annette tweets that a falcon is on cam 1 (TY)-turns out it was DC not Beauty as I had reported. At 7:11am Beauty flies in and knocks DC off cam 1 and takes his spot.

<DC  <Beauty

At 7:18am  DC goes to the nest box (confirmed by Annette-thanks) and then Beauty flies down to middle deck perch where she would remain until 8:03am. DC flew out from nest box and went to the 2nd ibeam south corner of OCSR.

<DC>

DC stayed on OCSR preening until 7:35am when he stooped on a starling down toward the river out of view then reappeared chasing after it heading north behind OCSR where I lost them.

While parked on State St. across from the Rochester Plaza Hotel, I spotted DC on the top ibeam west corner of OCSR at 8am.

At 8:03am DC flew off flying right above me and landed for a second on the building I was parked next to then he was off again and Beauty now joined him as they flew above and around the Crossroads building before heading south toward the Times Square building.

I drove to the hole where I found DC under the northeast wing preening and looking around.

I hung out with DC until 8:30am-then I called it a watch. I left smiling after having been kept on my toes by our busy, game playing downtown Rochester Peregrine Falcon pair! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/rEWuqYlNaAc

http://youtu.be/gj4qfMnWm4g

http://youtu.be/hP0nQCClL6A

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – 67 degrees with a cool breeze off of the river.  Jacket weather for sure after the warmth of the last few evening watches.  Tomorrow morning is supposed to be downright chilly.

The evening watchers were Dan S, Kathy O, Larry O and Carol P.

There was some flying tonight, but not like yesterday when it was non-stop flying by Beauty and Dot.ca.  Our most exciting moment was when, in the beginning of our watch, we looked up to see Beauty hovering over us, hanging on the wind, very low.  It only lasted a few seconds, before she drifted off to the north.  Love seeing them close up like that!  I’m sure she was on a hunt.  There are many pigeons that go under the Broad St. Bridge.

Beauty flew to the Times Square Bldg and landed on Camera #1, aka Pan Cam.  Dot.ca was over on the south side of OCSR (First Federal Bldg) on the top IBeam.

*

*

*

*

*

After Larry arrived, Dot.ca took off and flew over the river and then south.  He seemed to definitely be on a hunt.  Dot.ca ended up on the top arm of the jail communication tower.

*

*

*

*

*

After awhile, Dot.ca took off and headed south, low over Cornhill.  He crossed over the river behind the Frederick Douglas-Susan B Anthony Bridge.  We lost sight of him after that.  When I left at 8:30 pm, he had not returned.  At least I didn’t see him return.  Beauty remained on Camera #1.

I’ll leave you with some pics I took of the Rochester Falcon neighborhood during my watch.  If you put your cursor over the picture, it will tell you what it is.  Goodnight everyone!

*

*

*

*

*

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Way less humid this morning as I headed out and 13 degrees cooler than yesterday at 60 (F) 16 (C) and back to sunshine

As I turned onto Broad St. from South Ave. to start my watch I spotted falcon watcher and mentor Dan sitting in his lawn chair on the south sidewalk of the Broad St. bridge (BSB). I also spotted Dot.Ca (DC) on cam 1.

Dan left soon after I arrived and I went to the hole parking lot to observe DC. He spotted something right down in front of Times Square (TSB) as I was taping him. You could see his eyes get very large just before he stooped on whatever it was he saw. DC returned seconds later empty taloned, coming to rest on cam 1 again.

A few minutes later DC flew northeast and I took off to look for him. On my way back to TSB-as I was stopped for a red light at Main and State St. I spotted a falcon fly to the nest box. I drove to the hole and just as I got there Beauty flew in with prey and landed on the deck by the main cam at 7:04am. Shortly after that DC flew out the nest box heading northeast and Beauty went in to feed their kids.

I took a quick trip north looking for DC but didn’t find him so I parked on the east end of the BSB where I was far enough away to see Beauty in the nest box feeding the eyasses.

I then went back to the hole as DC showed up and landed on the north side of the deck next to main cam. Beauty flew out with leftovers taking it to the base of Mercury and DC went in the nest box.

Beauty flew off to the northeast and ended up on cam 1 a few minutes later.  I parked on Aqueduct St. (the hole) between the Thomson Reuters and Philippone buildings to share space with the Beautyful one.

10 minutes later DC showed up under the northeast wing of TSB. They both were doing some preening and Beauty did nap a little too as they watched over their family and territory.

I opted for ending my watch at around 8:15am smiling, therefore leaving our Rochester Peregrine Falcon family safe and sound!

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/7KpS2dEpZSc

http://youtu.be/AmJ_-VEVGIQ

http://youtu.be/suWoEBpr7qQ

http://youtu.be/YQqUym27g54