Falcon Watch – Saturday – 9/19/09 – Falcon at Kodak Park
From Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
From 9-9:30 am, I sat in front of KP. Barely any birds were flying. My phone rang and it was Brian H. I picked him up and we checked out Hawkeye (no Kestrels), downtown Rochester (no Archer or Beauty), the building that Beauty and Zephyr hung out at (no Zephyr). Then back to the city. We were batting zero. No Falcons, barely any birds at all.
Around noon we headed back to Kodak Park. Brian H and I were watching a couple of Red-tail Hawks hunting the area. Then a white Mourning Dove buzzed through. Couldn’t tell if it was albino or not.
Just after this bird passed through, I looked back at the Research Lab bldg.
There was a bird flying just to the left of it. I yelled out “FALCON” to Brian
and we watched an adult Peregrine fly higher and higher, passing over us,
heading southeast seemingly on a hunt. It was definitely an adult Peregrine and I’m pretty darn sure I saw a split wing tip. 🙂
The Falcon flew so high, we lost sight of it in the beautiful blue sky. No
clouds to help us keep it in sight.
I can’t be 100% sure that it was Mariah, but I hope it was.
We were soon joined by Kathy O and we waited for close to two hours hoping that the Falcon would return. While we waited, the Red-tails returned. A Kestrel flew over Kodak Park and a Sharp-shined Hawk hunted Pigeons there. It was a very eventful Watch.
I had to get going, so Kathy took Brian H downtown for another look and they found a Falcon on the top I-Beam of the old Changing Scenes Restaurant.
Carol P.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Thanks Carol…I sure hope it was Mariah. I miss her reports.. 🙁
September 19th, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Thanks, Carol. I too am hoping it was Mariah – at both places, since she used to be at the old Changing Scenes so often, particularly at this time of year. But if it was her only at the Research Lab, I’ll be pleased.
DianaR
September 19th, 2009 at 8:46 PM
If you are pretty darn sure then that is good enough for me 🙂
September 20th, 2009 at 9:22 AM
I also hope it was Mariah. I was beginning to get worried about her,
September 20th, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I ditto all of those sentiments! Thank you for the update, Carol!
September 21st, 2009 at 8:39 AM
I’m with you Carol P.!!!
September 21st, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Thank-you, Carol P. It is at times like this that I am glad that Mariah got a band – where ever she wanders (and I am betting on her peregrinating a bit over the winter), if she is found or sighted close, we will know (not that it really matters in the big picture of peregrine recovery, but it is nice to know).
September 21st, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Thanks, Carol, for all you do. I was driving by KP Sat. around 1 pm and heard a high-pitched “EEEE” – pardon my ignorance, but is that kakking? Didn’t see anything (was driving)….
September 21st, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Hi Ruth. Not sure what you heard, but it probably wasn’t a Peregrine. Sounds more like the sound a Red-tailed Hawk would make. There are a few that are hunting in the Kodak Park area.
To hear a Peregrine’s alarm call, what we call kaking, go to this site (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) and click on “Sounds” Tab and play the Peregrine call. Remember to turn the volume up.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/sounds
Then there’s ee-chupping, but that’s a whole other story. 😉
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:45 PM
I too hope it was Mariah, I miss hearing about her and seeing her.Thanks