From Rochester Falcon Watcher – Carol P.

I picked up Brian and we headed downtown arriving around 10:45 am.  The closing of the Broad St Bridge is really creating havoc with the Rochester Falcon Watchers.  This was a prime spot to watch the nest box on the Times Square Bldg.  Brian and I ended up checking the Midtown Plaza area first.  No Falcons in sight.

Brian told me that Joyce let him know that there was a Falcon in the nest box for quite a while earlier.  That was the first I heard about that, since I hadn’t been on my computer.

We drove back towards the Times Square Bldg., down Broad St.  While stopped at the light at South Ave, I took a quick look at the nest box.  I was very excited to see two Falcons there.  I made my way, as quickly as possible to the parking lot directly across from the Times Square Bldg.  We had a great view of a Falcon eating on the platform next to the base of Main Camera.

I got my scope out, and Brian and I took turns watching this Falcon.  Brian finally got a look at the legs and it looked like this bird was unbanded.  Not Archer.

The other Falcon (later verified as Beauty), flew out of the nest box and started chasing the other bird (assumed to be a Tiercel/male), who had grabbed the food and was playing keep-away.  Beauty was not happy.  Brian and I heard vocalizations we had never heard before.

We got busy calling and texting the other Falcon Watchers.  Soon we were joined by Larry O, Dana, Lisa McK, Kathy O and Joyce.

From the top of a nearby ramp garage, we saw the new Falcon aggressively attack a Red-tailed Hawk that flew by too close.  At this point, we had lost track of Beauty, but the other Falcon was showing a lot of interest in the buildings south of the Times Square Bldg, flying around them and landing repeatedly.  Could Beauty have been on that building?

We drove around the area trying to spot Beauty and the other Falcon.  We had no luck finding them.  I left around 2:30 pm.

Where was Archer?  Would he return to find a new Tiercel in Beauty’s life?

Only time will tell.  We’ll keep Watching.

Carol P.

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