Falcon Fledge Watch (11:30 am to 9:00 pm) Full Moon Rising & No Fledge for Orion – 8/1/12
By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
I was downtown from 11:30 am till after 9:00 pm. I took a 1/2 day vacation because I had really hoped to see Orion fledge today. But that didn’t happen and this is a-ok. Each day he takes to spread his wings and run and flap and stretch, will make him that much stronger when he does decide the time is right. When he’s ready, he’ll take that next step to becoming a Peregrine Falcon.
Today’s Falcon Watchers while I was downtown: Joyce, MAK, Dana, Willie, Susan C., Aaron, Dan S., Jeanne, Debbie H, Pat, Suzanne, Lisa McK and Carol P. Hope I got everyone.
Today was a gorgeous day, with just a little bit of rain. When I first arrived, I joined Joyce & MAK at Falcon Watch Central (FWC). They needed to leave for a just a short while, so I kept an eye on Orion and Beauty and Dot.ca. All three were within my view. Orion at the nest box, Beauty and Dot.ca both on the OCSR.
J&M returned and joined me at the top of the stairs leading down to Aqueduct St. We were soon joined by Dana and then Susan C and Willie and lunchtime visits by Newbie aka Suzanne, Debbie H and Pat. We kept following the shady spots around, setting up our chairs in the shade and moving when it moved.
There was a bit of flying by B&DC in front of the nest box area, exciting Orion when he saw them. He was last fed this morning, so he is definitely being prepared by his parents for that first flight. This evening, we were joined by Dan S, Lisa McK, Aaron & Jeanne.
Just as it was getting dark, Orion decided it was time to get some wing practice in. He was all over Camera #4 and jumped up to Main Cam twice! We thought he might do a nighttime fledge, but he finally settled on the ledge that runs along the left (south) side of the nest box. I just checked the cameras and he’s sound asleep in that same spot. Beauty was up on the top IBeam of OCSR in the center. Not sure where Dot.ca ended up.
The most exciting thing today was when Beauty was up at the base of the SE wing of the TSB. We watched as a pigeon flew past the TSB on the south side, just below Beauty. I had just remarked that was one crazy pigeon, when Beauty stooped off of the building and hit the pigeon below her. It was the pigeon’s lucky day. S/he flew off of safety and Beauty flew over to the OCSR landing on the top IBeam.
Lots and lots folks stopped to ask us how the “birds” were doing. It seems that we are getting less “whatcha lookin at?” questions. 🙂
A little after 9:00 pm, we decided to end our Watch and call it a day, since Orion had finally settled down and was laying down next to the nest box.
Tomorrow is another day. It will be much warmer, so if anyone decides to come down to help with the watch, be sure to wear your sunscreen and bring lots of water to drink.
There will be Fledge Watchers out and about around the Times Square Bldg with their eyes to the sky, watching for Orion’s first flight. Maybe tomorrow will be the day, but if not that’s ok too! 🙂
