Good Friday Afternoon Falcon Watch – 4/3/15
By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
2:45 – 4:45 pm
50 plus degrees and cloudy. I’ll take it! After I got out of work, I checked out Kodak Park West (KPW). After seeing a falcon flying nearby yesterday, with a missing flight feather on the right wing, I wanted to see if there was one still hanging out there. Today I did not see any falcons at KPW.
I headed downtown next. Before I left work, I checked the cameras. Dot.ca had been on the eggs in the nest box for much of the afternoon. He was still there when I arrived downtown. Thanks Joyce for your help. Now where was Beauty?
After driving around and looking for her, I ended up parking on the Broad St. Bridge. From there I could see where Beauty was hanging out. She was on the top north facing arm of the jail communication tower, which is just south of the Times Square Bldg.
At 4:25 pm, Beauty spread her wings and took off. She slowly gained altitude, just soaring gracefully, higher and higher.
She passed over me heading north, following the river.
I kept an eye on her through my binoculars until she disappeared into the clouds above the Genesee Brewery. The whole time she was up there flying, she was alone.
A little less than 10 minutes later, Beauty returned to the Times Square Bldg (TSB) and circled around the large metal wings at the top of the building. Dot.ca flew out of the nest box and joined Beauty. I love to watch a bonded pair fly together like that. Beauty headed for the nest box and entered it, while Dot.ca landed on top of the northwest wing ring. He didn’t stay long.
At 4:40 pm I tweeted that all was quiet and that I was ending my watch. Just after I tweeted that out, Dot.ca returned with food and landed on the base of the Mercury statue.
I wanted to get home in time to watch Beauty lay her 4th egg. I and many other Rochester Falcon fans were viewing the live streaming video and at 6:16 pm, we were all thrilled to witness the arrival of Beauty and Dot.ca’s 4th egg! Will there be a 5th egg? I don’t think there will be, but we’ll just have to wait and see!
April 3rd, 2015 at 11:31 PM
I think 4 is enough to keep the proud parents busy! Time will tell…. 🙂
April 4th, 2015 at 6:39 AM
Nice report! Especially the description of Beauty’s flight..I can imagine the need to do a long walk and a few aerobics after keeping 4 eggs warm and safe for a whole night..Sort of get the kinks out before coming back for more ..They seem to be sharing the responsibilities nicely, she and DC. Thanks Carol.
April 4th, 2015 at 9:34 PM
I agree Pat! 🙂
Thanks so much June! I really do think you are correct that Beauty was getting the kinks out before laying her 4th egg. 🙂