By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was 31 (F) -1 (C) and clear as I left for my watch this morning. They called for sun this morning with clouds moving in this afternoon.

Upon arriving on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) I could see Beauty at the nestbox and UT flying around the Thomson Reuters building. UT flew to the Crossroads building  and landed on the southeast corner.

He took off after something over by the Widows Walk (WW) and turned up a minute or so later by the Times Square building (TSB). UT flew across in front of the nest box which drew Beauty out of the nest box as she flew out and up under the southeast wing.

UT continued flying off to the east and Beauty soon flew off to the north. 15 minutes later I spotted UT tearing up the sky in the TSB area going up and down Exchange St. between the buildings from Main St. to Broad St. and behind the TSB. He landed under the northwest wing of the TSB for only seconds and continued to give me an aerial display zipping in and out and around the buildings. I am not used to such energy and activity from a falcon but I have no problem with getting used to it if he stays here!

I met up with DebbieH on her way to work by the stairs on Broad St. which we call Falcon Watcher Central around 7:50am. She said she saw Beauty go to the nest box and UT on the OCSR elevator shaft as she walked across the BSB coming from where she parked her car in the South Ave. garage. As we were speaking we spotted UT fly behind the TSB heading south toward the jail. Debbie left and I decided to go to Plymouth Ave. which is where the jail is located to have a look/see. When I got to the intersection at Broad and Plymouth Debbie was pointing to the sky where UT was flying. Deb went to work as we lost him to the east and I left to check the Brighton Site (BS).

As I pulled in the driveway at BS I saw a falcon circling above the building. When I got to the back of the building to park there were 2 flying and one was smaller telling me it was a male- immediately the adrenalin kicked in. Was this Dot.Ca returning from migration,was it BST returning from wherever he went or was it a falcon migrating thru. They kept flying back and forth between the front and the back (south side) of the building and I could hear lots of echupping. One of them landed on the silver rooftop structure at the tippy top of the building. I’d never seen any other falcon up there so I thought perhaps it was the male.

The distinct heart shape on the mustache made me think it was DC but without a look at the legs for a band there’s no way of knowing for sure. This falcon flew off after half a minute or so toward the front (north side) of the building and I couldn’t see either one of them.

Unfortunately my take off shot wasn’t clear enough to see if there were any leg bands. Pigott then resurfaced landing on the south side vent echupping very loudly.

She took off and then I saw a falcon land on the west extension northwest corner and again on my little LCD camera screen I saw a distinct heart shape on the side of the face and in the bright sunshine the chest looked very white. Turns out it was Pigott which shows how much a role the lighting plays when observing these falcons. Even Beauty can look very white in bright sunshine.

Notice in the 1st pic the mustache looks heart shaped and the 2nd not so much.

Pigott took off flying north out of view and I didn’t see the male or her again. I returned to downtown half hour later as I was concerned that if it was DC he might be doing battle with UT. Arriving  a little past the 9 o’clock hour just in time to see a falcon fly to the nest box. I took a pic and looked at it to see who it was and upon seeing a heart shape on this falcon I thought DC and tweeted it out! I apologize for any angst or excitement I caused anyone. I then texted Donna for an ID from the cams and she informed me it was UT.

I wish to thank Donna,Ei and Shaky for the assistance they give us out in the field-I truly appreciate it!  I also asked Donna if UT was seen at the nest box while I was at BS so we could rule out him as the male with Pigott. She confirmed that it couldn’t have been UT. While on the south side of the BSB I couldn’t help but notice the raging river below. I videotaped it as I don’t recall ever seeing the water so high.

At around 9:25am Beauty and UT were at the nest box bowing and when they were finished he shot out of the nest box flying east. There was a college event at the Rochester International Convention Center this morning and the BSB,Main St. Bridge and South Ave. were jam packed with parked school buses. On the BSB they were double parked on the north side and getting around was not an easy task.

I went to the Court St. bridge to get away from the busy bus areas and spotted UT on top of the OCSR elevator shaft about an hour after I last saw him.  Beauty was still at the nest box so to get a closer look I parked by the Radisson Hotel to observe UT.

Just before 10:30am UT took off flying northeast quickly leaving my field of vision. Beauty was now gone from the nest box and a few minutes later UT showed up at the nest box. I decided to go back to BS to check at this time but no falcons were there so I returned to downtown. As I approached downtown on Exchange St. I could see a falcon on the base of Mercury so I swung  down Court St. to see who it was but after just one bad pic it took off.

At about 11:ooam Donna and Ei confirmed that Beauty and UT were at the nest box for a bonding session. When I got back from looking for them a couple minutes later I saw UT leave and fly northwest from where I was parked in the hole (Aqueduct St.). He returned 10 minutes later flying around the TSB with Beauty still at the nest box. I decided all was quiet and ended my watch. Keep smiling everyone for with all the Peregrine Falcon activity in Rochester these days there is lots to be happy about! 🙂

Click on the links below to view more pics and videos from my watch

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http://youtu.be/JsbJsLjfGSM
http://youtu.be/jeRvilh15TM
http://youtu.be/qw7cj17Ocv4
http://youtu.be/qX8Li67efok
http://youtu.be/9WErgH22GLo

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

It was a return to winter here in Rochester, NY, after a few days of spring-like weather.  Cold and windy.

I arrived downtown at 3:45 pm. and found Beauty on the top IBeam of the OCSR.  UT, the unbanded Tiercel, was on the platform in front of the nest box on the Times Square Bldg. (TSB).

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My next stop was the BS location to check on Pigott.  While I was waiting for the light to change at the intersection of Broad St and Exchange, I took this picture of UT at the nest box.

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At the BS location, I was unable to find Pigott until she flew in from the east.  She landed on the NW corner of the west extension.

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Pigott only stayed for a few moments before she again took off, flying above the building on the gusting winds.  After I lost sight of her, I headed back downtown.

Beauty was still on the top IBeam of the OCSR on the SE side, where she was when I left.  UT was now on top of the OCSR elevator shaft.  Fellow Watcher Pat joined me for a short while on the Broad St. Bridge.

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UT took off and flew around the area.  He made one attempt to copulate with Beauty on the top IBeam, that failed.  UT landed on the north end of the Cross Rds. Bldg.

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UT again took flight.  I lost sight of him as he passed behind the Cross Rds Bldg.  After awhile, he returned and landed on top of the OCSR elevator shaft.  From there he is able to see most of the city and the surrounding area.

That is where I left them at the end of my watch at a little after 6 pm.  Watcher Kathy O arrived just before I left.  She and Lisa McK remained on watch until around 7:30 pm.

I’ll leave you with a picture of a Coopers Hawk (I think) in a tree near where I live.  Now that the migration has started, I’m sure there will be lots of hawks and falcons and eagles passing through.  If you want to see them, remember to keep your eyes to the sky!

CLICK ON ANY PICS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE LARGER.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Well it’s back to reality here in Rochester as the temperature was 31 (F) -1 (C) breezy and overcast when I left for my watch. The highs for the rest of the week will be in the 30’s.

Donna informed me as I arrived downtown that both Beauty and UT (unbanded tiercel) were in the nest box. I parked down in the hole(Aqueduct St.) and waited for them to show themselves to me. 10 minutes later UT flew out from the nest box and I would find out that Beauty had left as well. Keeping track of UT is hard enough-I don’t need Beauty being sneaky too! lol  No worries-it’s challenging and fun!

I went up to the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) in time to catch a glimpse of one of them stooping  near the Thomson Reuters building vanishing toward the Wilder building. Soo I drove back to the hole and watched Beauty and UT tandem hunting by Widows Walk (WW). They were swooping down at something going in and out of view.  I drove over to Broad St. near the Ebenezer Watts building for a better view as they kept up their aerial show circling above WW and the Times Square building (TSB) before flying out of my field of vision. I drove back to the BSB and saw Beauty fly to the deck near the nest box.

Click the pics for a full version

Beauty went into the nest box and UT came flying in to join her. I missed both of them leave but UT came back to the nest box a few minutes later at 8:00am. He shot back out after a few minutes and flew south. UT then landed under the southeast wing for less than half a minute and took off heading south again.

It was at this time I found out why UT kept going south-the jail tower is in that direction and Beauty was on it according to DebbieH who texted me with this information. I drove to Troup St. but she was gone when I got there so I drove to the BSB to take a look around. I spotted Beauty as she flew to the jail tower and landed on the top arm west side.

She didn’t stay for long as I followed her fly to the east side,soaring above Xerox at 8:30am then she came across the river and landed on the Mercury money bag.

10 minutes later I saw UT at the nest box.

Beauty seemed to be looking for a meal below her as UT watched her from the nest box. At approximately 9:00am Beauty flew off after pigeons in the river with UT joining her before they both went to the nest box for another bowing session.

I left at this point to check the Brighton location. Pigott wasn’t there and after waiting half hour or so I returned to the downtown area. I could see a falcon on the Kodak Office launchpad so I drove over there to find Beauty on the southeast corner.

The Beautyful one and I shared space for more than 30 minutes when she flew off to the south. I followed and could see UT on the column above the nest box as I waited for the traffic light at Main and State. I parked by He’s Chinese to observe. UT dropped down to the nest box and Beauty flew in to join him around 10:40am. When they were down bonding UT flew out landing on the fledge ledge across from the nest box and Beauty made her way out to the deck next to cam 4.

Just before 11:00am UT flew up under the southeast wing of the Times Square building and when Beauty flew off to the south he followed her. I ended my watch smiling after having another fun filled time with this very busy pair of Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to view more pics and videos from my watch

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWrYJA

http://youtu.be/3SyeV1Jpp5I

http://youtu.be/geZgURAaIlQ

http://youtu.be/S1mgSwh6dS8

http://youtu.be/1jrZxFJg2qQ

http://youtu.be/2y2HB3iraEM

http://youtu.be/9CyECZLtVZA

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

This mornings temperature when I left for my watch was 51 (F) 11 (C). It was very overcast and the sky spit a few raindrops here and there.

Let me just start by saying this new male we call UT (unbanded tiercel) is wearing us all out. I don’t know how Beauty is keeping up with him as he does not stay still for very long. That being said let’s get to my report-I made my way to downtown arriving in the dark at 7:05am. There were no obvious bumps on any of the buildings in the Broad St. Bridge(BSB) area with my first scan using my binoculars.

I then took a ride to the east side coming up empty, but as I returned to the BSB I spotted the dark silhouette of a falcon under the northeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB). I drove down to the hole (Aqueduct St.) but when I stopped to look it was gone. I’m thinking it was UT cuz this is his style as we have learned in the time since he arrived in Rochester on Friday-he doesn’t stay in one place for very long. I would find out when I got home that he had gone into the nest box for a bowing session with Beauty. 15 minutes later I spotted him on the column above the nest box and again I got to the hole too late  to see him. Gone again into the nest box with Beauty for more bonding.

When they were done he flew to the east side and came to rest on the southwest corner of Xerox just before the 8 o’clock hour. He was gone when I got over to Court St. to view him closer. UGH! Back to the BSB where DebbieH joined me on her way to work. Beauty was in the nest box and UT was terrorizing all the birds on the east side. Suddenly she flew out and over us with UT catching up with her from behind as they headed east.  Beauty landed on the northeast corner of  Bausch&Lomb and then rejoined him before UT went  to the southwest corner of Xerox again after they both did some flying together. Debbie had to leave for work. This time when I got to Court St. to observe him he was still there. Phew!

He was looking to hunt something in the trees of  Washington Square Park to the south. He fooled me by stooping straight down the west face of Xerox like a little turbo charged torpedo.

I lost him behind buildings and as I returned to the BSB 5 minutes later I could see Beauty soaring above Xerox and to the south. I started taping her as she flew near a flock of geese. At a couple spots she was going so fast my camera couldn’t stay focused. She disappeared back to the east so I turned around  to face the TSB. 15 minutes later UT landed next to the main cam for maybe half a minute and then he was off to the east. He had joined Beauty to soar high above Xerox near the clouds. They vanished into the overcast sky so I decided this was a good time to go check for Pigott over at the Brighton Site.

I arrived there around 9:00am and was greeted by the Canadian Geese that dwell on the property and lower roofs.

Make sure to click on all my pics for the full version

I hung out with the geese and some crows for a little while and just as I was driving out of the place on the back road I saw Miss Pigott come streaking across the sky from the west and land on the west end of the south vent. Yay, I don’t think I had seen her in a week or better.

5 minutes later she flew off to the south and returned a minute or so later landing on the vent again.

Pigott preened and looked around for a meal, she also watched a plane flying overhead and stretched out her wings a couple of times.

10 minutes later Pigott flew east and didn’t come back so I left for downtown at 10:00am. Shortly after I arrived on the BSB UT showed up next to the main cam and he actually stayed put for a while. He did some preening and looking around the territory and when he spotted Beauty coming in from the east he looked at the nest box and went in it as she landed on the front of the deck.

They were in the nest box for about 3 minutes and then he came out like he was shot out of a cannon flying low and went after a pigeon by the Wilder building that just happened to get in his way.

He missed the startled pigeon and kept flying east out of my line of vision. I snapped off a couple pics of the Beautyful one before ending my watch at 10:45am. I certainly had plenty to smile about this morning as I saw 3 very fine falcons doing their thing! 🙂

Click on the links below for more pics and videos from my watch

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http://youtu.be/rMM78IaCTyI
http://youtu.be/NI54LQpad0U
http://youtu.be/95FVISeiEJk
http://youtu.be/FjEu1Gl6n2M
http://youtu.be/m5QKrI5d7pk

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

After two days of non-stop flying, UT, the unbanded Tiercel, relaxed just a bit on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.  Don’t get me wrong, there was still a lot of activity, but he and Beauty just seemed more settled this afternoon.

Watchers out during my watch included Kathy O, Dana, Dan, Joyce and John (a 1st time Watcher).

When I first arrived, I joined Kathy O down on Aqueduct St, aka the hole.  The weather people promised temps near 60 degrees, but it took awhile for it to warm up.  It was downright damp and chilly for the first couple hours of the watch.  Beauty and UT spent most of their time either in or on the nest box or on the Times Square Building (TSB) itself during that time.

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This was UT’s 3rd day here.  The last tiercel that visited only stayed for 24 hours.

He has been landing in so many different locations.

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What I’m trying to say is, if you are downtown looking for UT, he could be anywhere!  lol

First UT and then Beauty took off, both heading NW.  Kathy and I drove over to the Andrews St Bridge and checked out the area from there.  After searching the sky for awhile, we saw both B&UT flying over the Xerox Bldg.  They both headed west, towards the Times Square Bldg.  Beauty was in the lead, UT following.  Then UT put on the afterburners and wooshed past Beauty, veering towards us, heading north.  Right above us, UT intersected the flight path of a smaller falcon, a Kestrel.  He stooped repeatedly on the Kestrel, which finally escaped and hastily retreated north down the river and over the Genesee Brewery.  UT turned back and joined Beauty on the Times Square Bldg.  The more I watch his flying abilities, the more I am amazed by him.

Afternoon, Kathy O and I were joined by Dana.  We then found Dan on the south side of the Broad St Bridge.

We were soon joined by Joyce and John, a first time Watcher who decided to join us.  Welcome John!  Glad you came out today.

Beauty landed on the base of Mercury, while UT was on the south end of the Cross Rds Bldg.

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She stayed there for a very long time, preening, while UT remained at the nest box.

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We kept hoping he would join Beauty on Mercury.  Finally after a really long time, lol, UT flew off of the nest box towards Beauty.  All we saw was UT fly up to her and off again heading west.  Although I can’t be 100 % sure, I’m pretty sure it was a missed copulation attempt.  Beauty then took off and headed in the same direction that UT had gone.

Kathy, Dana and I walked down to Aqueduct St (the hole) to look for Beauty and UT.  We found UT on the NW corner of the Widow’s Walk and Beauty on the north side back extension of the Times Square Bldg.  This is a place that Dot.ca favored during the summer.  It was nice and shady there on hot summer days.

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Both flew off again, UST first this time, with Beauty following.  They flew to the west behind the buildings located there.  Every now and then, we would see a falcon fly between the buildings, but we weren’t sure what they were after.  Both returned to the TSB.  We were standing on the street on the other side of the TSB when Beauty flew up to the nest box and out again.

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We walked back to the Broad St Bridge to join the other Watchers.  Joyce and John were still there, but Dan had to leave.  We chatted for awhile and then Kathy, Dana and I said our goodbyes.  It had been a long day, which finally had warmed up to 60 degrees and a bit of sunshine.  I’ll take that any winter day!

Oh, and before Joyce joined us, she had visited with Pigott at the BS location, where she (Pigott) was by herself.  All was quiet there.

I’ll leave you with a few pictures from my watch.  Happy Sunday everyone and goodnight!

As always, if you would like to see any pictures larger, all you have to do is click on them.

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By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Another nice day in Rochester is forecast with a high temperature of 60 (F) 16 (C) cloudy and no precipitation expected. It was 31 (F) -1 (C)when I left for downtown.

I arrived on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) around 7:15am finding UT(unbanded tiercel) on the well wall next to the nest box. I drove down to the hole (Aqueduct St.) and when I looked up he was gone! Unbeknownst to me he was in the nest box with Beauty bowing. I went back up to the bridge and could see her but not him. The sun started to come up over the horizon and lit up the top half of the Times Square building (TSB).

The river pigeons came flying across in front of me on the BSB and UT was right behind them passing in a blur! They all disappeared quickly going southbound. At about 8:00am UT was back on the well wall and once again as I looked away to grab my camera he left! 5 minutes later I spotted him waaay up on the southwest corner of Xerox with Beauty still in the nest box. And true to form he took off a couple minutes later flying north really fast.

At 8:20am Beauty flew to Mercury landing on the money bag and took off a couple minutes later heading west. Hmm, has she picked up UTs antsy ways already!?

Click the pics for full version

Beauty went to the TSB and landed under the northeast wing. A few minutes later UT flew above her and they both went to the nest box.

It was 8:30am when UT flew out of the nest box zipping across the river and went into a stoop by the Chase building disappearing behind it. He then showed up on the southwest corner of Xerox. Beauty went to Mercury at this time as UT stooped off Xerox going behind it where I lost sight of him. Beauty left Mercury as well. UT showed up at the nest box just before the 9 o’clock hour and left with Beauty returning to Mercury 10 minutes later.

The Beautyful one took off flying west so I followed going down Broad St. to Plymouth Ave. As I turned onto Plymouth I spotted UT on the northwest corner of the jail and naturally he didn’t stay long. Larry came up behind me to join the watch. Beauty came flying in above UT and he flew off with her to the southeast.

Larry and I went back to the BSB as Kathy arrived to join in on the fun. At 9:20am Beauty went to the nest box and left right away flying north. Next we spotted both Beauty and UT gracing the eastern sky with him landing on the Hyatt for a few seconds then rejoining Beauty in the sky where we lost them behind the Chase tower. A couple minutes later I saw one of them fly behind the TSB. On a hunch I crossed over to the north side of the BSB to take a look at spots we couldn’t see from the south side  and sure enough there was a falcon on the northeast corner of the Kodak Office launchpad. Being too far away to ID-that question was answered when UT showed up under the northeast wing of the TSB.

UT had his eyes fixated mostly to the north, I assume keeping track of his new girl Beauty on the K-tower. Larry left and Kathy and I left to check the Brighton site. Once again Pigott wasn’t home but there were 4 geese on the lower building roof  with one of them honking up a storm. I guess she wasn’t wanting to share her space with the others for 2 of them beat feet and flew off. Kathy went back downtown and I ended my watch at noon. It really makes me smile knowing that Beauty has someone  to keep company with after a long lonely winter for her! 🙂

Click on the links below to view more pics and videos

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http://youtu.be/IzwWxea7ooA
http://youtu.be/lwGjfXLbNAY
http://youtu.be/rgvmS1Oj5n8
http://youtu.be/Y01PWLuXBJM
http://youtu.be/Ewj5HsAaCEE

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Rochester Falcon Watchers Out Today:  MAK, Dan, Barbara, Brian, Dana, Lou, Joyce, Kathy O, Christiane & Tom and Carol P.

Today was so much fun being out with friends and fellow Watchers that I hadn’t seen in quite awhile.  Watching two very active Peregrine Falcons is what we love to do.

Beauty and the new tiercel, UT (for unbanded tiercel).  Again, when we know he is staying, a name will be chosen for him.

My first stop this morning was the BS location to check on Pigott.  I really wanted to make sure she was ok.  Sorry to say, Pigott was not there, but there were lots of Canada Geese on and surrounding the building.

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Not to worry about Pigott.  Joyce checked the BS location this afternoon and Pigott was there.

After looking for Pigott and not finding her, I headed downtown and joined MAK on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB).  What happened before I had to leave to run some errands is in MAK’s watch report.  The most exciting part was when we were buzzed by both Beauty and UT chasing the Starling down the length of the BSB.  Tandem hunting at its’ best.

When I returned downtown at 12:30 pm, Dan and MAK were gone.  The BSB was packed with cars, but I got the last spot on the north side of the bridge.  There were high school basketball games being played in the Blue Cross Arena aka War Memorial.

Beauty was on Mercury’s moneybag hand and UT was buzzing around, as usual.  lol

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While Beauty watched from above, UT flew up to the riverside of the Thompson Reuters Bldg. and landed on a windowsill below the Mercury Statue.  He seemed to be fascinated with his reflection in the window.

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UT stayed on the windowsill for quite awhile, checking out the “other falcon”.  Then he took off and swooped down the length of the Broad St Bridge, passing me at eye level, before flying up and over the buildings at the east end of the bridge.

He did a lot of soaring, circling higher and higher, patrolling his new territory.  A Red-tailed Hawk flew through north over Main St and UT went on the attack, chasing the RTH out of the area.

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Beauty did her share of protecting the territory by going after the Crows in the park just north of the Mercury statue.  She stooped on them a few times.

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I witnessed 4 attempted copulations today, none were successful.  I do think it’s just a matter of time if this tiercel remains here in Rochester.  Of course Dot.ca might have other plans if he returns.  I’ve been watching the Rochester Falcons for many years now and I’ve learned that nothing is for certain when it comes to them.  Change can be swift.  So we watch and we wait and report what we see.

I was joined by Brian, Dana, Lou, Joyce, Christiane & Tom this afternoon.

Here are pictures of the area that MAK and I saw UT diving repeatedly on early this morning.  After he left, I went down to see if I could see what he had been after.

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I couldn’t see anything and wondered if whatever he was after went into the old subway bed below the Broad St Bridge.  Lots of Pigeons go there.

Earlier this morning, a fog bank moved in over the city that covered the sun we were enjoying and making it hard to see the top of the Xerox building.  Thankfully it didn’t last too long, because without the sun, it got really cold.

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Here was our view from the middle of the Broad St Bridge, looking west towards the Times Square Bldg.

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Tomorrow promises to be a much warmer, springlike day with temps near 60 degrees.  Remember to spring ahead one hour tonight before you go to bed!

I’ll leave you with this picture I took of Beauty on Mercury with a jet passing overhead.  I just really liked it.  🙂

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

Good night everyone!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Mellow weather right now with temps near 40 degrees (F) 4 (C) no precipitation and plenty of sunshine!!!

So I started out for my watch this morning wondering if the Unbanded Tiercel(male) aka UT that was in town last night would still be around. Well I didn’t have to wait very long to find out for he was on top of the OCSR elevator shaft when I arrived on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) at 6:15am.

After a couple minutes UT flew to the column next to the nest box. A couple minutes later he was gone. A couple minutes later UT was flying above the river near OCSR and I could hear echupping. Now I know you’re asking yourself why does she keep saying a couple minutes later-well my fine falcon loving friends because that’s how this little turbo charged tiercel operates. He’s on the move every couple minutes and sometimes quicker that that! I’ve never seen so much action in one watch as I did today-I could barely keep up and just to prove my point I counted my tweets. In my 6 hour watch I tweeted 40 times-after doing the math that works out to movement every 10 minutes!!!  Amazing! So getting back to my report I soon found out where the echupping was coming from-Beauty flew to the money bag of Mercury and was speaking to her busy little companion as he flew above her.

Beauty flew over to the times Square building (TSB) and landed next to the main cam and started echupping then she went into the nest box while the rocket UT left jetstreams as he flew over the river. He went back to above the elevator shaft on OCSR and a few minutes later to the southeast corner of the Crossroads building.

5 minutes later UT went to the nest box area and then flew east-I think Beauty was in the nest box at the time but quite frankly I couldn’t keep track of her too at this point. UT returned to land under the northeast wing of the TSB and next flew over to the ledge across from the nest box where Orion and Calidora before him fledged to. We’ll refer to it as the fledge ledge.

Back to the elevator shaft before flying above  Beauty who was back on Mercury watching his flying prowess and speed as he vanished only to end up back on the elevator shaft. It was rest time and I was glad cuz I was getting worn out keeping up as I drove or walked from one place to the other keeping up and it all happened in just the first hour!

Beauty flew off after a pigeon and UT was off in a flash after her. She went to the nest box after missing the pigeon and UT made a few passes above the TSB before settling on the southeast corner of Crossroads.

Make sure to click on the pics for a full version

2 minutes later he was off going to the the ledge above the nest box and then I lost him and couldn’t see Beauty either. Minutes later I saw Beauty fly to the nest box and UT was under the southwest wing on the back of TSB. UT took off again for the southeast corner of the Crossroads building.

UT then visited the northeast wing of TSB in hunt mode. Off again to the Crossroads building then back to TSB attempting to touch down on Beauty who was on the main cam but he pulled back at the last second. He would do this several more times trying on OCSR,Mercury and the Hyatt hotel-each time not quite making the connection. I found out that he and Beauty actually bowed to each other at the nest box too this morning. Love was definitely in the air. They both flew southwest together a few minutes later.

<off Crossroads<off TSB

2nd hour down and Carol had now joined me as Beauty went to Mercury on the money bag and got buzzed by a Kestrel. Right after that UT came in for his attempt at mating. Next he flew down in the river by the Blue Cross Arena stooping on something at least 3 times before disappearing.What happened next was the most thrilling thing of the watch-Carol and I were standing on the north side of the BSB when a starling came whizzing by from behind us at break neck speed past Carol toward Thomson Reuters. Right behind it came 2 more birds that buzzed by us within a couple feet right after it-we could literally here their wings they were that close! We thought at first they were pigeons cuz it happened so fast but when 1 of them flew up to the nest box we knew it was Beauty and UT as he veered off to the north and she was the one at the nest. Carol and I just stood there looking at each other like, I can’t believe that just happened and then of course we high fived!!!

Beauty then left and showed up next on the west corner top ibeam of OCSR at the 10 o’clock hour as UT kept flying on and off the northeast corner of Crossroads. Dan joined the watch around this time as Barbara stopped for a look/see as well for just a couple minutes. We then spotted UT on the southwest corner of Xerox.

Carol had to leave to run an errand so Dan and I after missing a stoop in the river on the other side of the bridge by UT grabbed our lawn chairs and set up on the south side of the bridge. Good thing we did because another thrilling moment occurred when Beauty and UT started to hunt together in the river on pigeons. We witnessed stoop after stoop by this pair of hungry Peregrine Falcons and at the end UT chased after and stooped on a pigeon only about 10 feet away from us. He missed it as they passed over the bridge to our right. Oh my be still my heart as I just came out of winter mode and wasn’t quite ready for all this action! lol It was almost 11:30-boy how time flies when you’re having fun! Both Beauty and UT went to the nest box empty taloned and left to fly together over by the jail tower. When they were done flying Beauty landed on the tower near the west arm 2nd one from the top and UT flew across the river in his rocket fast style and came to rest on the southwest corner of Xerox.

UT stooped off Xerox and showed up a minute later with a small package in his talons passing above us on his way to the top of the elevator shaft to pluck feathers and start eating. He stopped and flew over to the Hyatt Hotel when Beauty came flying by and landed on the northwest corner of a lower roof. She went behind the hotel somewhere and UT kept flying back and forth between the OCSR building and the Hyatt with his leftovers in his beak.

He finally settled on the southeast corner of the Hyatt and finished it off.  UT started flying all over the area when he was done and while we were watching him Beauty snuck up to the nest box. I caught her flying out from it and going to Mercury landing on the money bag as UT flew above her attempted another copulation before heading east out of our view. It was almost 12:30pm and both Dan and I were getting hungry so we decided to end our watch. Wowee wow wow wow what a watch it was!! Smiling-you bet I was !! 🙂

Click the links below for more pics and videos from my watch

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By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

My normal daily late afternoon falcon watch turned out to be a very exciting watch today.  The sun was so bright, and the sky so blue, it was hard for me to see much from the Broad St Bridge.  But, I could see that there was a falcon inside the nest box on the Times Square Bldg (TSB).  Well that was new.  It had been a very long time since I’d seen a falcon there.  Since before winter.  I quickly tweeted in what I saw and moved my car a little closer to the building.  Still the sun made it hard to see.

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It was Beauty in the nest box, but, I found out pretty quickly that she wasn’t alone.  I kept seeing what appeared to be a very small and extremely fast falcon flitting back and forth.  So fast!  Finally the tiercel (male falcon) flew back and forth above Beauty at the nest box.  I finally had two Peregrines in my field of vision.  Yes!  TWEET!  WE HAVE TWO!  Time to head down to Aqueduct St aka “The Hole”, where I would be closer to the TSB and able to escape the bright sunlight.

I immediately started receiving texts from other Watchers saying they were on their way.  I was soon joined by Pat, Kathy O, Lisa McK, Joyce and MAK.  Using my scope and viewing pics being taken, we were able to verify that this tiercel that I am calling UT (Unbanded Tiercel) for the time being, was unbanded.  Hopefully he’ll stay around and we’ll give him a proper name.

Beauty had been eating up at the base of the SE wing on the TSB soon after I arrived.  UT had picked it up multiple times throughout the watch and was either flying around with it trailing behind him or eating some of it himself on the OCSR.  We all wondered if this had been a food gift for Beauty to show her what a great hunter he was.  He landed in so many different spots that we rarely see falcons land on.

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When the Crows started flowing into the city past the TSB, Beauty would tear after them, UT right behind her.  He was determined to help her rid “their” territory of all undesirables.  Beauty is fast when she wants to be, but UT is turbo charged fast.  Unbelievable!  If you blinked, you would miss him.  The gathered Watchers were amazed by his flying abilities.

For the approximately 3 hours I was there tonight, it was pretty much non-stop activity by Beauty & UT.  Here are some flight shots I took of UT during my Watch.

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I’ll leave you with some other pics I took before it got too dark to see anything.  Before we left, Beauty was on Mercury and we weren’t sure where UT was.  The last time we saw him, he had been flying around the OCSR.  By the time we got back to our cars to leave, Beauty was no longer on Mercury.

I cannot wait to get downtown tomorrow morning to continue to observe this pair!  I’m sure my fellow Watchers will be out and about also.

BE SURE TO CLICK ON ANY PICTURES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE LARGER

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By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Todays early morning weather was clear with cold northerly wind making the 34 degree (F) 1 (C) temperature feel much colder. I say who cares-the sun came out!!!  lol

Arriving on the Broad St. Bridge at 6:20am I found Beauty on the south corner top ibeam of OCSR. I like it when she doesn’t make me go searching right away! I drove down to Graves St. next to the Canandaigua National Trust Bank to observe her.

For the next hour while Beauty perched high above me, she looked for prey,preened, pooped and generally watched over her territory.

Beauty flew east at approximately 7:30am and since I couldn’t find her I checked the Lake Tower and Brighton sites. Having no luck with that I checked Highland Park for the Eastern Screech Owl before I returned to downtown just before 9:00am. The owl was in his tree hole and barely awake.

I found Beauty back on the south corner top ibeam of OCSR. The sun was shining brilliantly with a blue sky as I made my way over by the Radisson Hotel and Main St. The Main st. Bridge was lined on both sides with buses from out of town for an event at the Rochester International Convention Center.

Beauty looked so white in the front from the sun washing out her salmon color that it was hard to get a clear picture at times. She did a lot of scratching and raising her big yellow feet in the half hour that I spent with her.

It sure would be nice if Dot.Ca (DC) or another tiercel (male falcon) would come into town so we could get this nesting season going like so many other sites around the world. The best part about that is there will be activity at the nest for everyone at home to see. We must be patient! I ended my watch at about 9:30amwith Beauty mimicking an angel.

Beauty,the sun and blue skies kept me smiling on this Friday morning! 🙂

Please click the links below if you wish to view more pics and videos from my watch

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