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Eyes to the Skies

Sunday Falcon Watch – 1/26/14 – Gull in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

My Watch started at noon today.  My normal first stop is Kodak Park.  Today I found the KP Falcon at home.  S/he (don’t no if this is a male or female yet) was on the east stack, lower catwalk, on a silver box next to a red light, east side.  This seems to be a favorite perch for this falcon.

KP Falcon on East Stack 1-26-14KP Falcon on East Stack 1-26-14*

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My next stop was the BS location, where I found both Pigott and Dot.ca.  Pigott was on an east end window and as I was driving up, Dot.ca flew in and landed on the tree ledge above her.

Pigott at BS on the East End 1-26-14Dot.ca at BS on the Tree Ledge 1-26-14Dot.ca at BS on the Tree Ledge 1-26-14*

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At 12:50 pm, a Ring-billed Gull came flying by.  Now, I’ve seen many gulls pass by the building and flap their beaks at the Peregrines below.  Usually Pigott and Dot.ca just ignore them.  But not today.  For some reason this gull annoyed them.  Here comes the gull.  Scree!  Scree!  Scree! Dot.ca looked up at the approaching gull.  This gull was entering Peregrine Country, not a smart move.  As the gull got closer, Dot.ca took off and smacked the gull!  Over and over again, chasing it to the north east.  Well, Pigott wasn’t about to let Dot.ca have all the fun.  She took off and joined in the attack on the hapless gull.  They double teamed, both taking turns hitting the gull. The gull screamed and got out of dodge as quickly as possible.  The interesting thing is that there was no vocalization from the falcons at all.  No KAK KAK KAK! like they would normally do for an intruder.

DC & P Wing Tip to Wing Tip After Gull 1-26-14Pigott or Dot.ca After Gull 1-26-14*

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Pigott and Dot.ca finally gave up the chase and returned to their building.  Both flew over patrolling the area.  Then they both flew off heading southwest.

Pigott at BS Patrolling 1-26-14Pigott at BS Patrolling 1-26-14Dot.ca at BS Patrolling 1-26-14*

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I waited around for about a 1/2 hour.  When they didn’t return, I headed downtown to find Beauty.  It took me awhile, but from the Andrew St Bridge, I found her up on the north end of the Cross Rds Bldg.

Beauty on the Cross Rds Bldg 1-26-14Beauty on the Cross Rds Bldg 1-26-14Beauty on the Cross Rds Bldg 1-26-14*

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On my way home, I checked out the Charlotte area and Russell Station, hoping to find Billy.  I had no luck finding her, but I did find a Snowy Owl out on the middle of the ice on Buck Pond.

Snowy Owl on Buck Pond 1-26-14*

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When I was downtown, I did visit the pedestrian bridge.  I wanted to check out the High Falls and Genesee River Gorge.  It was an icy wonderland.  I’ll leave you with some pictures from my visit to the gorge.

Snowy Pedestrian Bridge 1-26-14Icy High Falls 1-26-14Ice Covered Trees Near the Observation Deck 1-26-14*

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Geese on the Edge of Ice on the Genesee River 1-26-14Giant Icicles on the Gorge Wall 1-26-14Frozen Genesee River 1-26-14*

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Oh, and one last thing.  Here’s a video of the water flowing over the partially iced High Falls.  Enjoy!

CLICK ON THIS YOUTUBE LINK

http://youtu.be/yy-1UZRMhv4

6 Responses to “Sunday Falcon Watch – 1/26/14 – Gull in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time!”

  1. Nora Says:

    Beautiful pictures and video. Loved the story of the encounter with the Gull!

  2. Carol P. Says:

    Thank you Nora! Have a nice day and keep warm. It’s nasty here in Rochester this morning.

  3. patsy6 Says:

    What an awesome shot that “wing tip to wing tip” picture is! Bravo, Carol! And it is so very odd that you spotted Beauty at the north corner of the Crossroads Building yesterday. Today is the first anniversary of the day that MAK spotted the deceased bird with the BYF (big yellow feet) almost in that very spot. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Beauty there.

  4. MAK Says:

    Pat, Beauty hunts from the Crossroads building from time to time-I’ve seen her there many times. 🙂

  5. patsy6 Says:

    I stand corrected. Actually, I have seen her there occasionally myself.

  6. Carol P. Says:

    Thanks Pat! Yes, Beauty and many of the Rochester falcons have used both ends of the Cross Rds Bldg, many times when they are eating a meal.


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