The Rochester Falcon Watch Continues, While Beauty Heals – 2/11/12
By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
I want to start this report by saying that my thoughts and prayers go out to Beauty. Heal quickly and be well little one.
I got a late start this morning. My first check was at Kodak Park to see if I could find Unity. It was very cold and snowy. Not a nice day to be out. But that didn’t stop the Rochester Falcon Flakes from getting out. I searched for Unity for close to an hour at KP, but was unable to find her. My next stop was downtown Rochester.
Since we had a different falcon downtown, I knew she would probably not perch on the familiar spots that I was used to seeing Beauty on. I had to check EVERY rooftop. From Woodbury Blvd, I spotted a Peregrine on the SW corner of the Bausch & Lomb (B&L) bldg. While I drove around for a better vantage point, the falcon disappeared. Now where did she go? Again, I drove around downtown and ended up back at Woodbury Blvd, parking my car in front of Merkel Donahue.
The snow came down harder as I attempted to find the falcon I had seen on B&L. Due to size, I knew this was a female. As I settled in, the snow flakes floated down around me, but I noticed something strange. Mixed in with the snowflakes were feathers! White fluffy feathers and snow flakes floated all around me! She had to be nearby, but where? I got out of my car and looked up at the roofs above me, but I couldn’t see her. Back into my car, I drove to the next road over and there she was! A Peregrine was eating on the corner of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield bldg, directly across from the Merkel Donahue bldg, which I had been parked in front of. I immediately tweeted it out and was soon joined by Joyce, MAK, Brian H and Dana.
The snow made it hard to get good pics, so I took only a few and got the scope out. While she ate, I watched her through the scope. I was able to see that she had a black over red band on her left leg, but I couldn’t read the numbers. She wouldn’t show me her right leg, until she eventually took off, carrying her leftovers. I do believe I caught a glimpse of reddish/purplish color on her right band.
We will definitely continue to attempt to get a positive ID on this female, but we’re starting to believe that Unity may be the new female. But what about the male we saw on Sunday? We’ll keep watching and report what we see.
Before I went home, she returned to the SW corner of the B&L bldg. That’s where I left her. Joyce, MAK, Dana and Brian remained on watch.
I’ve put a few pictures into a Kodak Gallery album. No sign on needed.
http://pix.kg/p/5032256331105%3A1198115386/scl
Enjoy!
Carol P.
February 12th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Carol, thanks for ALL you do. God bless you all!
February 12th, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Pictures are posted on the forum under Falcon Watches topic: “The Rochester Falcon Watch Continues, While Beauty Heals – 2/11/12”. I agree with Carol and feel it is Unity we saw and was in a battle with Beauty this week.
February 12th, 2012 at 11:57 AM
OMG, I’ve been out of touch with FalconCam for a few days and am shocked to find this news about Beauty. 🙁 I can only surmise that there was a territorial fight with Unity and Beauty, unfortunately, was found by a Falcon watcher after the fact injured in the fight. Not knowing how badly Beauty’s injuries are, is there hope for recovery for her even if she’s not released to the wild again??
My positive thoughts are with the Beautiful One!!
February 12th, 2012 at 1:33 PM
TY for all you do trying to in trying to locate & ID the falcons especially in a snowstorm. I was surprised to hear the other female might be Unity since she had been in the area for awhile & her & Beauty had had a couple of territorial spats. I then wondered was it possible if she had a new male that she felt more bold & sensed Beauty’s vulnerability & decided to make another attempt at a takeover. It is so much instinct on their part I’m sure. All we can do is watch it play out which can be very difficult. I am praying for Beauty’s recovery while at the same time concerned that she would return to her territory if she was released again & this could happen again. In nature’s hand I know.
February 12th, 2012 at 2:06 PM
Wish we had answers for everyone, but being the weekend we assume no news is good news. As mentioned, Beauty is being evaluated for alertness and capabilities of bouncing back (her fiestiness). We don’t know the extent of her injuries, but as with Mariah and Jemison, I’m sure DEC will let GVAS know what plans they have for her recuperation.
February 12th, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Thank you, Carol, for your constant dedication to the Peregrines, and your updates. Thanks also to Joyce, MAK, Dana, Brian and all the Falcon Flakes keeping their eyes to the skies, and reporting in.
If I knew a word to make Beauty all better again, I’d shout it out. I guess we can just send her our heartfelt wishes and healing energy, that she will be flying high again very soon.
February 12th, 2012 at 2:59 PM
June did attempt to find out how Beauty was doing, but due to it being the weekend, she was unable to contact the rehabber. As soon as we know anything, we will post an update. It’s interesting that two related Peregrines selected the same city. Beauty is the daughter of Dorothy, hatched at the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, PA and Unity is the daughter of Beauty’s sister, making her Dorothy’s granddaughter. What a small Pefa world it is. 🙁
February 12th, 2012 at 4:09 PM
That is interesting! There must be an invisible “pefa-path”!
February 13th, 2012 at 10:56 AM
There must be a “pefa path”. Look at how many Rochester falcons end up in Canada.
February 13th, 2012 at 6:59 PM
It is not suprising to me that a falcon who has been hanging out in the neighborhood for some time would make an attempt at a superior territory. We have seen repeated attempts at territory acquisition by females over the years. I seem to remember that in Cleveland one falcon assumed the nest box on her second or third annual challenge to a resident female. (Juanita could refresh my memory, if she reads this).