This Past Week’s Falcon Watch – 8/19/18
By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
I’ve been out a few times over the past week, but haven’t had time to post pics. So, here we go.
The heat continues here in Rochester, NY and so do the falcon sightings. I’ve seen juvies a couple of the days I was out. I thought it was Sundara I last saw eating on OCSR, but after checking my pictures, I’m pretty sure I’m seeing a “2”, not a “9” on he black/green band. I was very surprised!
Here are some pictures I wanted to share. Enjoy! and make sure that you click on them to see the full image.
8/11/18
Beauty & Dot.ca sharing a meal on the library.
8/12/18
Now for a surprise. I thought I was watching Sundara, but after checking my pics, I’m almost certain I’m seeing a 2 on the band. So, this was Mike!!! He was on OCSR with Beauty.
8/13/18
Juvie eating on FCT. Was not able to ID.
8/19/18
The only falcon I saw during my Sunday morning falcon watch was Beauty. I first saw her on the Jail Comm Twr, then OCSR and finally on Mercury’s foot. She was very wet, preening after a bath. Larry O and Zeke joined me on the Court St Bridge.
<— Beauty on Mercury’s foot.
Here are pictures of a Great Blue Heron and a Kingfisher hunting on the river below.
Beauty took off, heading east. After driving around, I found her on the Frontier Communication Tower.
At the end of my watch, I checked out Seneca Towers, and the east and west ends of Kodak Park. I found no falcons, but at the west end of Kodak Park, I found 100’s of Gold Finches eating in the fields and drinking from puddles. They must be migrating. That was awesome to see!
Enjoy the day! I’ll continue to let you all know what I’m seeing on my falcon watches. 🙂
August 19th, 2018 at 3:37 PM
Nice job Carol. That juvie on FCT on 8/19 looks like Mike. It has the same narrow malar stripe (mustache) and the auricular patch the top is curved (like a smile). Plus the shoulders are not wide like the females. It’s known that males have a tendency to hang around their nesting area longer than the females. Thanks for making the morning trek.
August 19th, 2018 at 3:50 PM
Correction – it was 8/13 re juvie on FCT.
August 19th, 2018 at 8:10 PM
Thanks Joyce. It was great seeing Mike. 🙂
August 20th, 2018 at 8:32 PM
Wonderful report. It was good to glimpse Mike again.
I don’t think of finches as migratory, since in our latitudes they are a year-round species. While checking on that, I came across this little tidbit: “This goldfinch’s nesting season is a short one. In the East, the last eggs are laid in mid-August. As a result, most pairs have time to produce only one brood in a season, although experienced breeders frequently produce two broods if eggs are laid early and the first brood is successful. To permit such second nestings, the female abandons the first brood to her mate, and then leaves to find another mate.”:-o None of that peregrine-like fidelity here:-)
August 22nd, 2018 at 6:27 PM
Nice report and some fine images, Carol! Good seeing Mike again. B and DC are looking well.
Great shot of that handsome Kingfisher.
It looks like part of the Goldfinch “Class of 2018.” I’ve also heard that your Goldfinches have a later nesting season, due to their main food sources being available in Summer. Always thought they over-wintered back there, and we just didn’t recognize them in their drab green winter garb. ;^)
Interesting info from Alison.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:12 PM
Thanks Alison! Interesting info about the Gold Finches. They are so much fun to watch. 🙂
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:15 PM
Thank you Barb. I know that we have some Gold Finches that eat at my feeders all Winter. I loved seeing Mike again. 🙂
September 10th, 2018 at 2:14 AM
Aaahhh, Carol! Your pix are truly wonderful. It is great to know that this year’s juvies are still in the area, Beauty is still Mom-in-charge, and that you are clearly enjoying using your newest camera.
The pix of the magnificent GBH, the kingfisher all decked out in his Sunday-go-to-meetin’ best, and the bright and shiny goldfinches chattering in the shallow pools are delightful.
I confess, my fave is Beauty on Mercury’s foot, drying off after her bath in the bird spa. Life is for the birds!
September 14th, 2018 at 12:24 PM
Thanks so much Mary! I love reading your delightful comments. 🙂 Take care!