Downtown falcon watch 2-11-12
By Rochester falcon watcher MAK
Let me begin by saying thank you to all of Beautys’ fans around the world for your support of her at this time. She is a strong girl and a survivor and whether she flies free again or not she will always be our Mercury girl!
CarolP found a female falcon downtown today as Joyce,Brian and I came to join her and see if we could ID this girl whom we are assuming fought with Beauty and won the territory. The conditions were about as bad as they could be for taking pictures with cold temps and snow coming down. Dana joined us and we all took pics anyway. Carol was able to make out red and black on this female falcons left leg band as she plucked feathers from fresh prey she had caught. At the time none of us were really thinking about the fact that this could be Unity who has black 71 over a red H until Eileen called Joyce and brought it to our attention. We still are not certain because we didn’t see numbers or letters at that point. And we hadn’t seen the purple band that dons her right leg. I ‘m sure Carol,Dana and Joyce will be looking at their photos very closely to see if we can confirm the true identity but odds are that Unity is the new downtown falcon.
When she was done eating she grabbed what was left of her meal and flew away ending up on the Bausch and Laumb building. It was snowing a bit harder as we drove up into a ramp garage to get a closer look and still it was too difficult to get a good shot. We figured she would probably just hang out there for quite some time since she filled her belly so we decided to call it a watch. Dana had followed us up to the top of the garage and remained there after we left.
I don’t know what the future holds for our Rochester falcons but you can be sure we Rochester falcon watchers will do our best to keep our eyes to the skies so we can keep all of you informed and up to date on the goings on. The past 24 hours have been difficult filled with much angst and tears for the Beautyful one but this is natures’ way and we can only sit back and watch and hope for the best for her. I would like it if you would think of her and smile through those tears! 🙂 <3
February 11th, 2012 at 6:38 PM
Dear MAK…
Thank you for this report and yes no matter what the future holds for our falcons I will smile through my tears 🙂 And always remember the good times with our Mercury girl…
February 11th, 2012 at 6:41 PM
Thank you, MAK, for the update. It doesn’t sound as if Unity is injured, and it will be interesting to see if Unity does go to the nest box soon.
There must be webcams in the area where Beauty was found, if the DEC could check them.
February 11th, 2012 at 7:02 PM
Just as Kaver’s spot was the lilies on the Kodak Tower, Beauty’s spot was Mercury’s fist. I’ll particularly remember the pictures of her perching there as it rained and snowed. That statue will seem sadly incomplete without her on it. When I read about the black and red band, I immediately thought of Unity.
The other question is who was the male e-chupping with the female downtown?
Thanks to all the falcon fans up in Rochester who have been following developments up there, and to the rehabilitator now caring for Beauty.
February 11th, 2012 at 7:09 PM
Thank you for the report, MAK. I know it has to be particularly difficult for you to write. And a terrible day for all of you to be out and about watching.
We are hoping for the best for Beauty…our Mercury girl.
I guess I had a feeling it was Unity too. But who is the male?
Thank you all for your dedication, and thank you to the rehabber who is taking care of our Beauty.
February 11th, 2012 at 7:15 PM
Thank you so much for the update on Miss Beauty. This has been a sad time for all. It helps us who are not their, to have such caring information from all of you. Bless you and Bless Beauty.
February 11th, 2012 at 7:26 PM
For Beauty’s future safety I have the terrible feeling that when she gets well they can never release her back to that nest box….now that Unity seems to have won her home and in the end Archer…..
They would only sadly fight again….
I hope there is a beautiful new territory that she can be released in.
Sending prayers out for our dear girl…
February 11th, 2012 at 8:15 PM
OMG!! Thanks for the update MAK, Carol & everyone. What a soap opera, huh? I agree with Ginny. Even if our beautiful one gets better, she can’t come back here. Nature can be soooo cruel!
February 11th, 2012 at 8:15 PM
Ginny, if that’s the case, there is an as yet unused new nestbox on Buffalo’s waterfront with easy access to ducks and birds. And Joyce could check it daily too!
February 11th, 2012 at 8:32 PM
Oh Sage..that would be so wonderful for our girl and perhaps the watchers would be able to suggest it to the rehabber….She would love it there I think….
February 11th, 2012 at 9:45 PM
We have to remember that Beauty is a Peregrine Falcon and an endangered species in NYS, the DEC will be in charge of Beauty’s care.
February 14th, 2012 at 7:23 PM
Doesn’t matter where they release Beauty. If she wants to come home she will. Mariah tried to.