By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

My Watch started at Kodak Park, where I was very happy to see a Falcon on the east stack catwalk, south side.  It had been awhile since I had seen one there.

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Between the steam rising off of the buildings and the ever present snow, it was hard to see the falcon.  I stayed for awhile, and then headed 1st to the Medley Center aka Irondequoit Mall and then to the LT location, where I found no falcons at all.  Next stop downtown Rochester.

Beauty was back up on the Kodak Tower on the arch ledge above the location where Mariah, Kaver & Cabot-Sirocco’s nest box was located for many years.

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Beauty took off, vocalizing.  She kakked her displeasure that a Red-tailed Hawk was flying above her nest location, the Times Square Bldg.  She flew quickly towards the hawk, but never made contact with it.  She flew low and I lost her.  Time to head downtown.  I found Beauty on the Mercury statue, guarding her territory.

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Beauty remained alert for a long time, preening now and then.  She then spread her wings and flew towards the north west.  I thought she might be heading back to the Kodak Tower and I was correct.

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I found her there on the SE corner of what we have always called the launchpad.  It is above the arch ledge that Beauty has been favoring lately and has missile like structures on the four corners, hence the name launchpad.

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OK, it was time to check on the BS location where I hoped to see Pigott.  When I first arrived, it was quiet, no Peregrines on the building.  I circled a couple times checking every windowsill and nook and cranny.  Nothing.  On my 3rd circuit, I heard loud kakking approaching from the west.  I stepped out of my car just in time to see a very vocal Peregrine chasing a Red-tail Hawk that was clutching prey.  The hawk was flying fast, whipping around the east end of the building and out of sight.  The falcon was faster, hot on the Red-tail’s tail.  I could hear the loud kakking move around to the back of the building.  I jumped in my car and arrived on the south side of the building just in time to see the falcon and the hawk fly off to the south west.  I caught this one picture before they flew out of sight.

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I have no idea what happened.  Was Pigott after the RTH’s prey?  Or was she just trying to get it to leave her territory?  Pigott soon returned and landed on the NW corner of the building looking in the direction the hawk had gone.

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Pigott took off and floated over the building for awhile before landing on the SE corner.  She was very actively looking in every direction.  Her crop was not full, and I think she was in hunt mode.

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After awhile, Pigott took off heading NE.  I watched her through my binoculars until she became a small spec in the sky, flapping her wings rapidly the whole way.  I waited about a 1/2 hour and she did not return.  I hoped that she had hunted successfully.

For most of my watch, it snowed, with temps in the mid-20’s (F).  Sounds like we will continue to get snow and cold in the coming days.  Stay warm everyone!

REMEMBER TO CLICK ON ANY PICTURES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN A LARGER VERSION.

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