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Falcon Watch – 7/28/09 (6:30 – 9:00 pm) – The Queen Has Been Located!

Finally!  All three Falcons seen today.  This is the first time in awhile that I am able to post an M and A/B Falcon Watch report.  Yay!

It was a beautiful warm evening, so I decided to head downtown for an evening Falcon Watch.  I arrived at the east end of the pedestrian bridge around 6:30 pm.  No Watchers were there at first, but Kathy O soon joined me.  She had already checked the downtown area and found Beauty on the south side of the old Changing Scenes Restaurant.

At 7:30 pm, we decided to see if we could find Archer and Beauty.  Beauty was on the south side of the Wilder Bldg and just as I parked my car, she took off heading north west.  We followed and found both Archer and Beauty on the Communication Tower.  Beauty and Archer took off.  We found Archer on the NW corner of the Kodak Tower Launch pad. He went off on a hunt, heading west and soon returned empty taloned.  We followed him back out to the Communication Tower.

It was after 8:00 pm and time for me to head home.  Kathy O called to say that Joyce and Casey were out on the bridge.  She was going to let Joyce know where Archer was (on the platform of the Comm Twr) and then head home herself.

As you all know, the Watchers have all been checking out the areas north of Kodak Office, looking for Mariah.  Tonite was no exception.

On my way home, I headed down State St, to Lake Ave, heading north.  I always check out the taller buildings of Kodak Park and tonite I saw something suspicious on the Research Lab Bldg.  I turned left onto the next street and parked my car.

At 8:15 pm, the light was fading.  I took a quick look at the building and the object I thought was a bird was structure on the building.  Well, darn.  But, what was that on the antenna?  A Crow, a Red-tail Hawk?  Did I dare hope that it was a Peregrine?  My binoculars gave me a view of a dark bird.  Hmmmmm.  I quickly took a few pictures and pulled my car further down the street to get a better look.

I parked in front of a house where the owner checked me out from the front door.  I told him I was checking out a bird on the Kodak bldg and did he mind if I set-up my scope?  Nope, that was fine.

So with shaking hands, I excitedly set up the new Watcher scope (thanks everyone!) and got my first good look at an adult Peregrine Falcon!  Yes!  I first called Kathy O and then Joyce.  They soon joined me, along with the owner of the house, Tom, who was thoroughly enjoying all the excitement.

From 8:15 until 9:00 pm, Mariah preened, stretched, pooped and looked all around her.  I was able to see her one band and the darker coloring on her upper chest where the wound was located.  I couldn’t see the colored tape on her band due to the low light, but I am quite sure that this was Mariah.  Kathy and Joyce agreed.

At 9:00 pm Mariah stretched her wings and flew off of the antenna, flying low between the buildings heading west.  We did not see her reappear, but I assume she was probably off on a hunt.  There are a lot of pigeons around Kodak Park.

It wasn’t long before we were being bitten up by mosquitoes.  After all the rain we’ve had, they’re out in full force.  Darn pesky critters.

We all said our goodbyes.  We were so excited seeing Mariah looking so good.  Although she isn’t currently in her territory, she’s chosen a wonderful spot, with a view of the gorge on the east side and probably a view of Kodak Office off to the south.  🙂

Carol P.

21 Responses to “Falcon Watch – 7/28/09 (6:30 – 9:00 pm) – The Queen Has Been Located!”

  1. janie Says:

    Yeah !!!!! Thanks Carol for keeping an eagle eye out for everyones favorite falcon 🙂 Mariah !!!

  2. kathy Says:

    Thank you Carol and all the other watchers for your persistence in finding and caring for Mariah! What great news to wake up to!!

  3. Debbe L Says:

    WHEW!!!!

  4. Alison in Indiana Says:

    I, too, breath a sigh of relief. 🙂
    I recall there were nest boxes scattered around other Kodak buildings, is there one in the area Mariah is now frequenting?
    A “new Watcher scope”, great! and in exactly the right hands.

  5. Kris A. Says:

    That area is about 3 miles north of the Kodak Tower. If she chooses to stick around that area, that should be a safe distance from A&B.

  6. Beth Says:

    Great job watchers! Am so relieved to read your Mariah sighting report. Maybe she will just stay a little north for now, staying safe. Hopefully A&B will be satisfied with that. I just want Mariah to live a healthy life in peace. She certainly has earned that. Thanks again, you all have made my day.

  7. ei Says:

    @Alison…there were boxes there-I asked the same question-Shaky posted this response over on the yahoo board…

    Kodak Park (aka Eastman Business Park) is about 4 miles north of downtown Rochester. At least 2 nest boxes were installed there earlier this decade, but they were removed in 2007 before several nearby buildings were demolished.

  8. chicki Says:

    Yippeeee!!!! Now I can do my happy dance (and disturb my co-workers 🙂

  9. Dave Says:

    I work on the 7th floor in the building across the street from the tower where Queen M was photographed. I can see that antenna from my office.

    I did see a bird that I suspected was a falcon up on the N-E corner of that building about 5 weeks ago. They haven’t been regular visitors during work hours. There does seem to be a reduction in pigeon sightings though.

  10. Maureen in MA Says:

    Woo hoooooo!!! What awesome news to come home too!! 😀 Thank you, Carol P. and all of your diligent Falcon Watcher friends! Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief 🙂

  11. Barb Says:

    Thank You Carol, Kathy, Joyce and Tom (and to whom ever gave you that scope you done good real good) A sigh of relief then a Happy dance. Yahooo! Hail to the Queen. 🙂

  12. Kathy Villone Says:

    Thanks so much for letting us know about seeing M..glad she is still around. Whether it is or not, its confusing for her.

  13. Alison in Indiana Says:

    Two boxes, that is what I remembered, but removed in 2007. Hmmm, however, where there had been boxes installed, there could be some installed again…

  14. Kris G. Says:

    Yeah for Carol!! I was sure that Mariah had left the area for good but hoping I was wrong. Thanks for the great news!

  15. Doris F. Says:

    Yippppppppeeeeeee!! Love you, Mariah! Thanks Carol P. and all you wonderful watchers for all you do!! You all are soooo appreciated for keeping us informed!

  16. chrissy Says:

    Just another day in the life of Carol P., falcon detective. Good work, Carol!

  17. Rock Says:

    Sometime in the last few years and box was installed on the platform of an old watertower on the Kodak Hawkeye Building on St. Paul St. and Driving Park Ave. Could this be a new home?

  18. Carol P. Says:

    @Rock – That nest box is still there and would certainly be a wonderful location for a Falcon family. The 2 nest boxes that had been located at Kodak Park, where we saw Mariah, are now gone. One of them was on the same building she was sitting on.

  19. Caye Says:

    SO glad to hear the good news!!!! See I did keep looking fot the news, hoping everyday. Sweet Girl, our dear Mariah is still with us. Thank you all.Caye

  20. Carol P. Says:

    @Dave – I believe I saw her on your building yesterday morning. She took off, stooping into the gorge (east), before I had a chance to grab my binoculars. Please keep an eye out for her and report if you see her.

  21. Alison in Indiana Says:

    A falcon is in the box this morning at 6:40.


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