By Rochester Falcon Watch Carol P.

It was bitter cold and very windy when I started my watch today around 3:45 pm, with temps around 30 degrees (F).  Brrrrr!

My first 2 stops were KP and the LT locations.  No peregrines seen at either location.  Next stop downtown Rochester (NY).

From the Broad St Bridge (BSB), I found a falcon on the SE top IBeam of the OCSR.  It was facing the building, so I was not sure if it was Beauty or UT (the unbanded tiercel/male).  I drove around the downtown area, but was unable to find a 2nd falcon.  Back to the BSB, where the falcon remained on the OCSR.  It was time to go check on the BS location.

I drove around the building at the BS location a few times, but I could not find Pigott or any other Peregrines.  A 1/2 hr later, I was on my way back downtown.  The falcon on OCSR was still there.  Lisa McK joined me on the BSB and Pat walked by on her way home.  Finally, I noticed that there was a peregrine on the base of the Mercury statue.  It was Beauty and she was eating.  I looked over at the falcon on the OCSR.  Well, now I knew it was UT.  He took off and flew up to Beauty.  I thought he was going to join here and attempt to share some of her meal.  At the last second, he veered off and headed east across the river towards the Radisson.

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After finishing her meal, Beauty took off and flew over to the OCSR, landing on the SE top IBeam.

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UT flew in from the east side of the river and past Beauty on the OCSR.  UT put on a really nice flight display for Beauty, continuing to bond with her.  He landed on the river side (east side) of the Thompson Reuters Bldg.

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First UT and then Beauty took off and headed west, towards the Times Square Bldg.  I could see that UT was at the nest box, but I wasn’t sure where Beauty went.  I tweeted, asking the on-line watchers if she was also in the nest box.  Shaky & Joyce immediately came back telling me that only UT was up there.  I drove down onto Aqueduct St (aka the hole) and found Beauty on the east end of the green strip at the top of the Wilder Bldg.

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Well, this was promising.  I had seen many copulations between Beauty and Archer in this exact spot.  I kept looking back and forth between Beauty and UT.  They both seemed settled and I was thinking about calling it a watch.  That’s when UT launched himself from the nest box platform.  He flew directly down to Beauty and before I knew it, I was witness to a successful copulation between them.  There had been many attempts before this that were not successful.  Sorry to say, I did not get any pictures.  But, I did get a short video snippet.  Just click on this Youtube link if you would like to view it.

http://youtu.be/uPvDHlO94_A

Afterwards, UT flew up to the top of the OCSR elevator shaft and Beauty followed and landed on the top SE IBeam.  It was time for me to call it a watch and head home.

Before I end my report, I just wanted to let you all know that Lisa McK reported the following from the BS location at approx 7:30 pm – “Pigott is home for the night.  Tucked in the corner by the east extension on the south side.”

So all three current Rochester falcons were seen by the Watchers this afternoon.

Goodnight everyone!

I’ll leave you with a picture of the flag at the top of the Powers Bldg straight out in the high winds.

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

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