Falcon Watch Weekend – 5/16 & 5/17/09
Just a quick update of what went on this weekend.
Saturday – 5/16/09 – 10:30 am -12:30 pm – As far as I know, I was the only one on Watch during this time. When I first arrived, Beauty was flying around the lower buildings on the NE side of the Midtown Plaza. She landed and I found her on the NW corner of the building behind the Cadillac Hotel.
Archer came off of the nest ledge, flying off towards the east. Beauty took his place on the eggs. Within 5 minutes of her disappearing into the gutter, it started to pour. The rain was coming down in sheets and the winds were gusting.
I watched from my car as Archer returned to sit on the ledge, Beauty joined him for a moment and then went back to sit on the eggs. Archer flew up to the top of Midtown, SE Corner.
It rained hard for about 20 minutes, then cleared, the sun shined. Archer took off again, heading east. Beauty remained.
I stayed awhile longer before leaving at 12:30 pm.
Sunday – 5/17/09 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
It was a cool day, in the 50’s, but the sun was shining. Lots of Watchers were at the Falcon Watch today. Lisa McK, Joyce, Dawn, Larry O, Kathy O, Dan S and Carol P.
Archer was sitting on the SE lower corner of Midtown Plaza. He took off heading west. After about an hour and 1/2, he returned, carrying something very small. Archer landed on the NE corner of Midtown and Beauty immediately flew out, landed next to him and grabbed the small offering. She took it to the south side of the building to eat. Archer took her place on the eggs.
It didn’t take her long to finish. Beauty stretched her wings and flew over the lower buildings on the north side of Midtown. Joyce and I were the last ones left, so we walked towards where we last saw her. We found her on the Temple Building, near the Liberty Pole. She had a good view of the east side of Midtown Plaza.
After about a 1/2 hour, Beauty flew back towards Midtown, landing on the east side ledge. She remained there for awhile before replacing Archer on the eggs.
When I left at 4:00 pm, Archer (at least I think it was him) was on the south side of Midtown and Beauty was on the eggs.
I just want to remind everyone that we believe there are eggs on the east side ledge of Midtown Plaza due to the behavior of the two Falcons. Incubation seems to be taking place. A best guess on when the eggs would hatch would probably be end of May if all goes well. But, this is only a guess, since we have no idea when Beauty laid her last egg or when hard incubation actually started.
Carol P.
