Morning watch 3-13-15
By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
Conditions this morning as I began my watch were mostly cloudy with calm winds and a temperature of 26(F) -3(C)
Click on the pics to see the full version
I started my watch with Dot.ca (DC) who I found on a southwest corner of Legacy Tower (LT) plucking feathers from prey. He started eating as Beauty came flying in squawking from the west and landed behind him. She rushed him and he flew off to the west with the goods followed by the Beautyful one.
I headed west as well and from the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) spotted DC flying from under the northeast wing of Times Square (TSB) then as I pulled over on Basin St. in the hole Beauty came flying out of the nest box area. She ended up over on the northwest corner of Widows Walk at 7:38am and I saw her pick up and drop a chunk of food. I drove over to Broad St. by the Ebenezer Watts building to observe her and 5 minutes later she flew off heading west.
I took a ride around the block and spotted DC now in the spot Beauty had just vacated on Widows Walk. He had a full crop and didn’t stay long either. He stooped back behind Widows Walk out of view.
On my way back to the hole Donna reported that both Beauty and DC had visited the nest box and left. Thanks DJ! As I pulled onto Bank Place I saw Beauty up on the base of Mercury-it looked like she was nibbling on something at first. At 7:57am DC came flying and mated with Beauty then he flew off and returned to land atop the Mercury money bag above his mate.
Neither one of them were facing me so I drove up to the BSB and parked next to the Blue Cross Arena to see them better.
I still didn’t have a good view of Beauty so I drove farther up on the bridge and while I did that they both left around 8:30am. I decided to check the river to see how the thaw is going since we’ve had above freezing temperatures all week. It’s more than half way thawed out and the water birds were having a blast down there in the open waters.
I wasn’t able to find Beauty and DC again so I left for home-when I got to Seneca Towers I found who I thought was Billie on the northwest corner but I’m not positive because after looking at my pics and video I don’t think it was Billie or 99. I was looking for the yellow tape on the right leg band that would show that it was 99 from the take off shots that I got. I didn’t see yellow tape or even leg bands although the pics weren’t clear enough to say for sure.
If anyone can see leg bands please leave a comment.
After she stooped down in the river gorge she didn’t come right back so I headed home-when I got to Seth Green Drive I saw her up on the northwest corner once more then she flew off again and I ended my watch at 9:15am. After coming home from running errands this afternoon there was a falcon on the northwest corner but I had no equipment with me in order to ID it. The male here at Seneca Towers before 99 was Veteran and he was unbanded so this could have been him back from migration. Stay tuned and keep smiling! 🙂
Click on the links below to see today’s videos
March 13th, 2015 at 5:23 PM
O nooo Veteran back? Certainly didn’t look like any bands on! Uh oh the drama might be heating up at Seneca Tower! lol Nice shots of the happy couple & the river, MAK! I am very glad to see the ice leaving us! 🙂
March 13th, 2015 at 5:57 PM
I’m all for saying goodbye to ice and snow Patty! I’m not coming to any conclusions about whether it’s Veteran or not but it is possible. Too bad he wasn’t banded so we could be sure. 🙂
March 14th, 2015 at 5:32 AM
I think given all the turnovers in just the past 7 days at various nest sites, it will pay to be vigilant on all our birds and try to get bands as we’ve seen things can change very fast.
March 14th, 2015 at 6:12 AM
Yes, I agree Kathy. 🙂
March 14th, 2015 at 10:26 AM
I sure can’t tell but hope theres no trouble
March 14th, 2015 at 2:47 PM
I don’t think it was Veteran after seeing them at Seneca Towers today. Their behavior and looks were like Billie and 99. It’s hard when there’s dark lighting and that long distance to get clear identifying photos. Again, today’s shots did not show leg bands very well-I’m sure everything is ok here. 🙂
March 14th, 2015 at 3:18 PM
I hope it was Billie and 99. Don’t like birdie drama (and we’ve had WAY to much of that in Hamilton over the last 10 days, thank you very much 🙁 )!
On a happy note, I just read that Harrisburg has it’s first egg of the season (love that kind of drama!), so hopefully our 2 sets of love birds aren’t too far behind. You’ll want to be splitting yourself in half it you have babies at 2 locations this year, MAK.
March 14th, 2015 at 5:18 PM
You can say that again Beth! I’ll have to be on watch in my sleep to keep up!! We sure don’t want drama, especially like Hamilton this season. I just watched that Harrisburg egg hatch on video-it’s a beautiful thing!:)