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Eyes to the Skies

Morning watch 3-9-15

March 9th, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

I’m happy to say that spring may have arrived in Rochester as I started my watch above freezing with a temperature of 33(F) 1(C) Once the sun broke thru the horizon it was shining bright with blue skies

Click on the pics to see the full version

I drove to the east side first as I have the last week or so and was surprised to not see Beauty or Dot.ca (DC) on Legacy Tower (LT) eating. Well it looks like the weather has changed their usual morning routine from eating on LT then meeting at Kodak Office to digest. I found them when I stopped on the Broad St. bridge (BSB)-DC was on the green part of the base of Mercury eating and Beauty was on the top I-beam southeast side with her back to me.

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DC stopped eating after hearing Beauty whining then they both met at the deck where DC handed over his leftovers to Beauty. She flew to the base of Mercury with DC’s food gift, part of courting.

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I moved down to Basin St. in the hole to watch both of them as DC went up to perch on cam 1.

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I missed filming a bit of the next sequence of events-it goes like this: Beauty finished eating did some feaking while keeping an eye on DC and he was watching her as well. She moved to the back corner of the base and watched him as he flew in, then she went to the opposite corner(of course the only one I couldn’t see from the hole and they mated. I got a snippet (a bad pic) of the end as DC flew off her back side and returned to cam 1. The Beautyful one then came forward where I could see her.

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Now while I was tweeting all this they both disappeared. I spotted the back of Beauty on the deck-cam watcher Campgee and watcher KathyO let me know that DC was in the nest box. Thanks gals! After 5-10 minutes DC came out the nest box and went back up to cam 1 as Beauty turned around so I could see the front of her.

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Beauty came out next to the min cam and turned her back to the sun. It stayed this way for the remainder of my downtown watch, the 3 of us hanging out together bonding. 🙂

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I figured the cam watchers could keep track of them so I headed for Seneca Towers. I went to the Northridge Church parking lot to check the north end of the building arriving about 8:15am. From there I could see Billie on the northwest corner with a full crop.

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A few minutes later Buffalo Billie spotted 99 as he flew up and joined her. I saw him pick up a piece of food and at the same time she picked up and dropped a tidbit of her own and then they got settled.

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Billie turned away after doing some cleaning up and that’s the way I left occasionally gazing into each other’s eyes.

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And that’s all she wrote-I left them just before 10am, smiling as I went. 🙂

http://youtu.be/Ac77KehbfU4

http://youtu.be/1s15gbQNYRA

http://youtu.be/6D8Z_NW3DXs

http://youtu.be/tKy-URwFtbo

http://youtu.be/h1QxG7E5kvM







Sunday Afternoon Falcon Watch – 3/8/15

March 8th, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

12:30 to 3:00 pm

Finally, a day above 30 degrees, sunshine and none of the white stuff falling from the sky.  But it was windy and some of the snow that was on the ground was airborne.  But that’s ok.  It was above freezing and the sun felt wonderful.

Fellow Falcon Watcher Kathy O was already out and about.  She was currently downtown watching Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower.  Kathy let me know that she had seen no falcons at Kodak Park West, so I headed to the BS location, missing Kathy who had been there just before me.   I drove around the building a couple times, but could not find the dark helmeted, unbanded falcon I had seen there yesterday.

I headed downtown and joined Kathy in front of Frontier Field on Plymouth.  From there we had a nice view of Dot.ca on the SE corner of the launchpad on the Kodak Tower.  Beauty was not there when I first arrived, but she showed up soon after, landing next to Dot.ca on the launch pad.  They did a bit of bowing and softly ee-chupped to each other.  She then took off and flew around the tower, landing above Dot.ca on the cupola.

Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower Launch Pad 3-8-15Beauty Landed Next to Dot.ca 3-8-15Beauty Take Off 3-8-15

Beauty Lands on the Cupola Above Dot.ca 3-8-15Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower -3-8-15Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower -3-8-15

Beauty on the Cupola -3-8-15Dot.ca on the Launch Pad -3-8-15

Kathy had to leave, so I continued my watch alone.  Both Beauty and Dot.ca took off and I waited to see if they would return. When they didn’t come back in 15 minutes, I drove around downtown trying to find them.  There was no where to park on the Broad St Bridge, due to the Section Five Basketball games that were being played in the Blue Cross Arena.

I checked out the Rfalconcam cameras and found that Dot.ca had visited the nest box for a short time while I was searching.

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I ended up on the Andrew St. Bridge and from there I saw a falcon flying around the Kodak Tower.  It was Dot.ca and he landed on the SE Corner of the launch pad.  I waited for awhile to see if Beauty would join him.  She did not return before I had to leave.

On my way home, I checked out the Hawkeye nest box.  No falcons there, but I did see a juvie Red-tail Hawk soaring above the buildings there.  Seneca Towers was also falconless.

I’ll leave you with a picture of Kodak Office.  So many good memories.  43 young falcons fledged from the Kodak Tower under the watchful eyes of their parents Mariah, Cabot-Sirocco & Kaver and the Rochester Falcon Watchers.  It’s nice to see our current falcon pair Beauty and Dot.ca there.  Enjoy the warmer weather this week.  Temps in the 40’s on Tuesday and Wednesday!  Spring will be here soon!

Kodak Office -3-8-15

Morning watch 3-8-15

March 8th, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a warm 29(F) -2(C) degrees as I stepped out for my morning watch-overcast with some light snow flurries in the air but the sun came out toward the end

Click on the pics to see the full version

I found Beauty on Legacy Tower as this is the morning eating spot-on one of the northeast corners as she seems to prefer these northeast corners.

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Spent the next 15 minutes finishing her breakfast followed by cleaning duties-feaking, picking at her talons for that last little crumb and at 7:50am Beauty flew west. All part of her daily routine and mine!

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As I pulled out onto Clinton Ave. I stopped below the Chase tower for a pic, I like to take pics of tall buildings looking up from below them.

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I continued down to Main St. checking all points between there and the Kodak Office Tower (KO). When I arrived on State St. I spotted Beauty on the south side arch, another one of her morning spots. As I arrived I received a message from Donna saying she thought it was Dot.ca (DC) on cam 1. I confirmed it as I was looking at the Beautyful one on KO at the time. I left for the hole to check out DC and he was still there when I arrived.

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DC was very alert watching every little bird in the immediate area. There were 2 starlings flitting around in a dumpster behind He’s Chinese that he seemed very interested in but never came down to take a swipe at them. DC picked at his talons a little bit and pooped.

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At 7:48am DC spread his wings and flew off to the north-I knew where he was going-to find his girl.

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I left, stopping at the traffic light at Main and State St. for a quick pic of the sign hanging in the Tim Horton’s where I stopped for coffee every day. Being in the same block as Times Square and the nest site made it very convenient. I’ll miss it and the friends I made there.

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Onward down State St. to KO where I found Beauty still on the arch and DC above her on the southeast corner of the Launchpad.

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The sun was out at this point and our dynamic downtown duo were enjoying the warmth it was bringing. DC wasn’t facing me but Beauty was and she was looking just like her name.

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I left them and headed home to see if Billie or 99 were at Seneca Towers. As I crossed the Veteran’s Memorial bridge at just about 10am I spotted a falcon on the north end of the building on the top window ledge, but by the time I got over to the church to check it was gone. I smiled knowing how blessed I am to see falcons every day of my life! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/eGY5GGg8Z8I

http://youtu.be/yud-Ygm4v9k

http://youtu.be/iIyEg3ImALc

http://youtu.be/ynxmNxNEMuI


Saturday Five Falcon Watch – 3/7/15

March 7th, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

10 am to 2 pm

Hooray for the weekend!  🙂  Spring is coming and our two falcon couples are starting to bond.  But what about #5?

I wanted to make the rounds today, to check out all the falcon spots.  My first stop was Kodak Park West.  Lots of Crows and Pigeons, but no falcons found there.

It had been awhile since I’d checked out the BS location, so that’s where I headed next.  As I rounded the building on the east end, I saw the tip of a tail sticking out from one of the windows under tree ledge.  Hmmm.  I parked my car and grabbed my binoculars.  Oh, yeah!  It was a Peregrine Falcon up there!  I took some pictures and grabbed my scope.  It was an adult, and I believe a male, based on size.  He had a full dark helmet (helmet head!) with no white above the cere (waxy, fleshy covering at the base of the upper beak).  This falcon had the same coloring as our Kaver.  I kept watching, hoping to see his legs.  Finally, a scratch and a stretch.  This falcon was not banded.

Falcon at BS 3/7/15Falcon at BS 3/7/15Falcon at BS No Bands 3/7/15

A Coopers Hawk flew over and the tiercel (male falcon) just watched.  No vocalization.

Coopers Hawk Fly Over 3-7-15Falcon at BS 3/7/15Falcon at BS 3/7/15

The falcon took off while I was reading a text, so I did not see which way it went.  Lisa McK joined me and we searched the building, but had no luck finding it.  We waited an hour, but when the falcon didn’t return, I continued my watch.

Downtown, I found both Beauty and Dot.ca on the Times Square Bldg.  Beauty was on the corner of the nest box platform, next to the base of the main camera.  Dot.ca was on top of Camera #1 aka Pan Cam.

Beauty and Dot.ca Near the Nest Box on TSB 3/7/15Beauty on Nest Box Platform -3-7-15Dot.ca on Cam 1 aka Pan Cam 3-7-15

Beauty flew up to the top of the main camera.

Beauty on Main Cam - DC on Pan Cam 3-7-15Beauty on Main Cam -3-7-15Dot.ca on Pan Cam -3-7-15

They both took off, heading north, past OCSR.  I waited a few minutes to see if they would return.  They did not, so I headed north and found both Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower.  Dot.ca was on the southeast corner of the launchpad and Beauty was directly above him on the cupola.

Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower -3-7-15Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower -3-7-15

All was peaceful and quiet downtown, so I continued on my way.  This time checking the Hawkeye nest box, no falcons there, and Seneca Towers.  Both Billie and 99 were close together on the north end of the building, near the northwest corner.

Billie and 99 at ST 3-7-15Billie and 99 at ST 3-7-15

I continued on my way, heading north.  My last stop was Russell Station.  All was quiet there, no falcons found.  The lake was clear of ice, except close to the shore.  There were a lot of different ducks and gulls taking advantage of the open water.  I was very happy to see that.  The ponds were covered in ice.

Lots of open water on Lake Ontario -3-7-15Frozen Buck Pond 3-7-15

After such a nice day, with a little bit of sunshine mixed in, I was happy to end my watch after finding 5 falcons!

Morning watch 3-7-15

March 7th, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was calm, overcast and 22(F) -5(C) degrees-the wind picked up after the first hour and  light snow fell throughout

Click on the pics to see a full version of them

I went straight to the east side again today and parked on Elm St. to see both Beauty and Dot.ca (DC) eating on Legacy Tower (LT). She was on a northeast corner and he was at the other end the northwest corner.

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I was happy to see them both eating and judging by their crops DC had the biggest breakfast. DC finished before Beauty and flew off then she finished up a minute or so later and flew off as well heading west.

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I headed west too and when I got on the Broad St. Bridge I spotted DC on the deck next to the main cam and the Beautyful one was up under the northeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB). I drove down to the hole parking lot behind He’s Chinese.

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The Main St. bridge was closed so crews could remove snow from sidewalks for a while then they moved east down Main St. I kept waiting for Beauty to come join DC at the nest box but she had different plans and flew off when I wasn’t looking a little after 8am.

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DC hung out with me for 10 more minutes then he flew off heading northeast.

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I went over to Bragdon Place to check the elevator shaft and found Beauty on the small top crossbeam on the northeast side of OCSR by the elevator shaft. She didn’t stay for long, flying off while I was tweeting around 8:30am.

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I left there and went to the Andrews St. bridge where I spotted DC on the southeast corner of the Kodak Office (KO) launchpad. I then went down to State St. to be closer and found Beauty on the south side arch.

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I left them after 15 minutes and headed for home and Seneca Towers. From the Northridge Church I could see both Billie and 99 on the top window ledge north end of the building. They were very close and facing each other with 99 showing me his back.

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They stayed like this for almost an hour just looking around and at each other. Then at 10am 99 stooped straight down the north face of the building and came back up with a catch, taking it to near the northwest corner. A minute later Billie flew around to the east side and landed on the edge of the roof directly above the east side balconies.

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99 flew over to join Billie on the east side-she jumped onto the roof as he landed where she had been and then he joined her on the roof with the food. They spent the longest time just facing each other and standing over the food. I don’t know if it was a standoff or one was waiting for the other to get busy eating or what but I found it very sweet to watch.

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They each took a few bites separately and at the same time but mostly they were in a trance gazing at each other. I stayed until 10:30am then decided to go home to get warmed up. I didn’t leave without smiling, for this Seneca Towers pair is very cute and besides, I saw all 4 resident Rochester Peregrine Falcons on my watch! 🙂

Click on the links below to see a photo album with a few more pics and today’s videos

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqkHi

http://youtu.be/4tsUCfp1Ht4

http://youtu.be/oYc8a6Dannc

http://youtu.be/apAmyIzo6Gw

http://youtu.be/BICL3nYPBtk

http://youtu.be/0IZ0GgX1mZI

http://youtu.be/5rB3WGLHjdk



Morning watch 3-6-15

March 6th, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Brrr, 0(F) -18(C) degrees for most of my watch today-however, the sun came out and shone bright in the blue sky

Click on the pics to see the full version

I drove straight to the east side today to start my watch on Elm St. at 6:35am where I spotted both Beauty and Dot.ca (DC) on one of the northeast corners of Legacy Tower (LT) formerly Bausch&Lomb. Beauty had food and DC was watching intently

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Beauty ate while DC kept an eye on the prize-he eventually rushed the Beautyful one and they both flew off in a blur. It was fun to see DC act like he wasn’t interested by turning away when Beauty would look over at him.

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I went looking for them and I didn’t have to go far as I drove over to the Broad St. bridge (BSB) to find Beauty on the base of Mercury continuing to eat her breakfast while DC was perched under the northeast wing of Times Square (TSB) watching her from afar.

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This went on for 10 minutes, then DC flew over- at the time, I thought he had tried to grab food but after examining my snippets I could plainly see that he mounted Beauty as she had lifted her tail while eating. It was quick but I got the snippet-he flew out over the river then returned and landed on the green part of the base for a split second then flew off. Beauty never stopped eating throughout this whole sequence. lol

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DC didn’t return and when Beauty finished eating she went to the other side of the base out of view. Half a minute later I saw her fly off after a crow, stooping down in the river on it and then I lost her. I got out of my car to have a look at the river and was happy to see open water in spots. The thaw has begun finally.

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After stopping for coffee I headed down State St. and spotted Beauty on the south side arch of Kodak Office (KO) while stopped at the traffic light at State and Andrews St. As I pulled over below KO around 7:40am DC was circling the tower. He made an attempt to land on the other side of the arch and changed his mind at the last second. I lost him when he flew behind KO. Beauty had her head tucked in and was all foofed up to stay warm as she rested and digested her breakfast.

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I left her after a few minutes to look for DC-found him in his man cave on the south side ledge of the OCSR elevator shaft.

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With not much going on downtown I left for home at Seneca Towers where I found no falcons. I did see Billie and 99 yesterday afternoon as they leisurely flew past my living room window instead of their usual faster than a speeding bullet, split second fly by. It was only 8:30am so I took a ride down St. Paul St. to check out Seneca Park and the water birds on the pond. I ended my watch at 9am.

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They’re doing well-makes me smile knowing that the park keeps an open spot in the water for them! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/y7Oe2tdWeL4

http://youtu.be/u-o6NI1PL0E

http://youtu.be/iZwAJaR0jKA

http://youtu.be/mKPrTzJVLz8

http://youtu.be/AWSrIV4xufk


Morning watch 3-5-15

March 5th, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Getting warmer as the temperature was 5 degrees higher this morning than yesterday at 14(F) -10(C) with overcast blustery conditions and very light snow in the air

I arrived downtown about 6:35am finding Dot.ca (DC) plucking feathers from prey on a southeast corner of Legacy Tower (LT) formerly Bausch&Lomb. I pulled over on Clinton Ave. across from Washington Square Park for the best view of him.

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DC finished eating after a half hour then stood there on the corner for a few minutes before taking off heading north until he got to Broad St. then he hung a left to head west.

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I caught up with him as I pulled over on State St. below Kodak Office (KO). He had joined Beauty on the south side arch-one of their favorite spots to hang out close to each other.

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I shared space with the Beautyful one and DC until 8am at which point I wet home to Seneca Towers and found 99 on the top window ledge south end of the building.

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I left him for a few minutes to check the north end of the building for Billie and I made it just in time to see her fly south off the top window ledge at the opposite end of Seneca Towers from 99. She didn’t return and she didn’t join 99 as I thought she might do. I returned to St. Paul St. to hang out with 99 for a little longer-he remained alert, watching some sparrows below him in a bush. With a depleted crop he was looking for a meal. I had to get going thus ending my watch at 9am smiling after seeing all 4 Rochester Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/V1H2mDoH-rc

http://youtu.be/AJCq9xZAJa8

http://youtu.be/R_DAzIj2FDc

http://youtu.be/drdnMZu1ifE

Morning watch 3-4-15

March 4th, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Yay, a temperature above freezing to start my watch at 33(F) 1(C) degrees-it was overcast but I’ll take small victories at this point

Click on the pics if you want to see the full version

I started this mornings watch with Beauty on the base of Mercury-she had her back to me from the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) so I went down to Bank Place in the hole where it meets Aqueduct St. She took off heading south over the river right after I got there.

img_0002-beauty-on-mercury-base

Back up to the bridge where I spotted Dot.Ca (DC) on a southwest corner 0f Legacy Tower (LT) (formerly Bausch&Lomb) eating and Beauty was just flying off of Archer’s corner down to a northwest corner. She landed and took off again around the back where I lost track of her.

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I decided to go over to Court St. across from the Court St. garage to get a closer look and once there I spotted the Beautyful one on a southeast corner of LT opposite end of where DC was eating. I could only see his tail feathers at this time

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DC finished eating, turned around to do some feaking as Beauty remained on her corner watching.

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DC started walking away from the corner, pooped and was feaking as he walked further away from the corner. Beauty ended up flying over to finish off the scraps he left behind from his meal.

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Around 7:19am they both flew west. I ended up on State St. below Kodak Office (KO) watching DC on the southeast corner of the launchpad with a very full crop.

img_0040-dc-on-ko img_0043-dc img_0046-cleaning-up

I left him to look for Beauty and I didn’t have to go too far as I found her eating on the Elwanger Barry building on State St. across from the Rochester Plaza Hotel. She took off to the east with her package soon after I stopped to watch.

img_0052-beauty img_0054-beauty-on-elwanger-barry-building

I drove to the BSB and spotted Beauty come out from behind OCSR still carrying her leftovers-she flew over the Wilder building and then I spotted DC flying after her near the Times Square building (TSB). She landed under the northeast wing and went to the back of the ledge to start eating and DC landed under the southeast wing. I stopped by the Thomson Reuters building to take one pic.

img_0055-beauty-and-dc-on-times-square<Click it

It was at this time Donna reported DC being at the nest box so he probably saw Beauty and flew out to meet her.  I then went down to the hole and parked on Basin St.-I didn’t have a great angle on Beauty but could see her head every now and then.

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At around 8:15am I went to get coffee and when I got back DC was under the northeast wing with Beauty at the back of it still eating. He had his back to me so I thought I would go park on Exchange Blvd. in front of the Blue Cross Arena for a better angle.

img_0061-bdc-from-exchange-blvd img_0066-beauty-finishing-up-her-breakfast

Beauty finished eating and DC flew off to the north. She disappeared from my view so I assumed she snuck off as well so I went north to KO and found them both on the south side arch about 8:40am.

img_0067-dc-picking-at-talons-jpg img_0069-sleeping-beauty img_0071-beauty-takes-a-look-at-her-bloody-byf

DC was awake and alert watching the territory and picking at his talons while Beauty slept on and off and picked at her talons as well. They both had blood on their feet from breakfast and nice full crops-just the way I like it!

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I figured they weren’t going to do much so I left for home. I got to Seneca Towers just in time to see a falcon fly from the northwest corner heading south. I waited a little while but it didn’t return so I ended my watch at 9:05am. So our downtown pair are doing well and I got a glimpse of one of the ST birds too-they’re keeping me smiling! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/k71JEmHSzqY
http://youtu.be/rYFQMoYbCUo
http://youtu.be/VIlqaNSHHGM
http://youtu.be/XP0qn8gYs4Q
http://youtu.be/cUDhJ6k4kTE
http://youtu.be/L9XSVTXhN6s
http://youtu.be/xS1Q56A_-Ec



Morning watch 3-3-15

March 3rd, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

The cold is hanging on as it was 9(F) -13(C) degrees as I headed out today with overcast conditions. There is a Winter Weather Advisory out for later today bringing snow, freezing rain and rain

Click on the pics to see the full version

After taking yesterday off from falcon watching to have a test performed on me I was ready to see our beloved falcons today. As I made my way downtown I got tweets from both Shaky and Donna (thanks guys) saying that Beauty was at the nest box and Dot.ca (DC) was on cam 1 (pan cam) so I knew exactly where to go-I parked on Basin St. in the hole next to the Wilder building. I couldn’t see Beauty from there but I could keep track of DC who had his back to me.

img_0004-dc

While I was fixated on DC, Beauty snuck out of the nest box (as reported to me by Donna-TY) and ended up under the northeast wing of Times Square (TSB).

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She didn’t stay there for long as she flew over to Widows Walk and checked out some cached food that was in the snow there. The Beautyful one left without any of it and flew north.

img_0008-beauty-heading-over-to-widows-walk img_0009-beauty-checking-the-freezer-for-food img_0010-beauty-leaves-cached-food-behind

As I was tweeting DC left cam 1 as well. I caught up with them at Kodak Office where Beauty was on the northeast corner of the Launchpad and DC was on the northeast corner of the playpen netting right below her. I parked north of KO on State St.

img_0012-bdc img_0013-beauty img_0021-whitey

Beauty looked down at DC and at 7:40am she flew down to the playpen directly below him-he was still on the netting at the northeast corner and now it was his turn to look down at her.

img_0022-beauty-watching-dc img_0023-beauty-flies-down-to-get-closer-to-dc1 img_0024-dc-watches-as-beauty-comes-in-for-a-landing img_0025-dc-watching-beauty

Just before 8am DC took off heading south and Beauty followed right behind. I found DC on the east side railing of Widows Walk (WW) and Beauty under the northeast wing with her back to me. I parked back on Basin St. again to watch them

img_0036-dc-on-ww img_0040-beauty

As I was answering a phone call both Beauty and DC left without me seeing them. I stopped for coffee then ended up back on State St. with Beauty who was back on the northeast corner of the playpen. 10 minutes later DC showed up landing on the northeast corner of the launchpad above his Beauty.

img_0043-beauty-on-ko-playpen img_0044-dc1 img_0046-bdc

I left them a little after 9am to head home to Seneca Towers. I spotted both Billie and 99 on the northwest corner from the Northridge Church-she was down below the railing and he was above her on the pipe near that corner.

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They both took off heading south while I was taping them-they flew past me directly over St. Paul St. and disappeared behind some pine trees. Less than a minute later they returned with Billie going back to the northwest corner with food and 99 watching her from the railing above her.

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Billie plucked some feathers but not so many that would lead me to believe she had a fresh catch-it was small whatever she had and didn’t take more than 10 minutes to finish it off.

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Just as I was about to leave 99 flew off over Buffalo Billie and made a U-turn going over to the other side of the railing above her, then they both flew north over the river at 9 :40am.

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It was a productive morning watch for me as our 4 Rochester Peregrine Falcons are getting busy now as their hormones push them to pursue each other in courtship practices. Some exciting times are ahead in the near future which will have us all smiling! 🙂

Click on the links below to see today’s videos

http://youtu.be/SCi5x3SoFcU

http://youtu.be/jXSlKYICXS4

http://youtu.be/6hTjDORreiE

http://youtu.be/uJJspWtQP-c

http://youtu.be/MbCdbIPD1-0

http://youtu.be/2F-_fbKUWr0

http://youtu.be/R6pYrPyMSZE



Sunday Late Morning/Early Afternoon Falcon Watch & Buffalo Too! 3/1/15

March 1st, 2015

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

My first stop was Kodak Park West, where I found no falcons.  I headed downtown and found Beauty on the north end of the Cross Roads Building and Dot.ca nearby on the northeast corner, top IBeam of OCSR.  It was snowing lightly through most of my watch and the temps were in the mid-20’s (F).

Beauty on Cross Rds Bldg - Dot.ca on OCSR 3-1-15Dot.ca on OCSR 3-1-15Beauty on Cross Rds Bldg 3-1-15

Beauty on Cross Rds Bldg 3-1-15Dot.ca on OCSR 3-1-15

First Dot.ca took off, flying north along the river.  Just as he passed over the Andrew St Bridge, Beauty took off and followed him.  There was no vocalization by either of them.  They both stooped down over the High Falls.  I could not see what they were after from my parking spot near the Radisson.  I drove over to the Andrew St Bridge and spotted a falcon on the northeast corner of the launch pad on the Kodak Tower, so that’s where I headed next.

As I was approaching the tower, a 2nd falcon flew up to and around the Kodak Tower, landing on the northeast corner of the playpen.  A closer look showed me that it was Beauty on the playpen corner and Dot.ca above her on the launch pad.

Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower 3-1-15Dot.ca on the KTower Launch Pad 3-1-15Beauty on the KTower Play Pen 3-1-15

I stayed there for about an hour, hoping to see them do some hunting.  But they remained where they were, not moving except to look around and do some preening.  Since all was quiet and peaceful downtown, I decided it was time to check out Seneca Towers (ST).

On my way, I checked out the Hawkeye nest box (no falcons there) on my way.  This is certainly a spot that Billie and 99 may choose as their nest, so I will continue to check this location.  There were no falcons on the south end of ST, but I did find one on the top window ledge at the north end.  I was too far to ID this falcon.  It took off and flew around a bit, then landed on top of an antenna on the north end.

ST Falcon North End 3-1-15ST Falcon 3-1-15

I ended my Sunday watch at Russell Station (RS) and a nice ride along the lake.  There were no falcons RS.  I was happy to see that there was a lot of open water on the lake and lots of different ducks and gulls were gathered there.  I really hope that it doesn’t ice over like it did last year.

Lake Ontario with Lots of Open Water for the Ducks and Gulls 3-1-15

I was happy to end my watch after seeing three of our four Rochester Falcons on this first day of March.

Saturday Buffalo Falcon Watch – 2/28/15

Now for the Buffalo part of my weekend falcon watch.  My good friends and fellow Watchers, Lisa McK, Kathy O, Dana and I had been planning a road trip over the past month.  We wanted to check out the Buffalo area, especially wanting to check on Diamante and his mate Gleig at Central Terminal.  But before we headed to Buffalo, we made a stop in Batavia to check on the Snowy Owls that are continuing to be seen at the airport there.

We had almost circled the whole airport when we finally found a Snowy on the roof of a building behind the fence.

Snowy Owl at Batavia Airport 3-1-15Snowy Owl at Batavia Airport 3-1-15Snowy Owl at Batavia Airport 3-1-15

Lisa pulled over to the side of the road and we all got that sinking feeling.  lol  Yep, the side of the road that looked like snow on pavement was actually the edge of a ditch and we settled into it.  Thank goodness for AAA!  We were out quickly and on our way.

The Snowy had left while we were stuck, but we found a Snowy on a building a little way down the road.  Not sure if this was the same Snowy Owl or not.

Snowy Owl at Batavia Airport 3-1-15Snowy Owl at Batavia Airport 3-1-15

Saturday was a bright, sunny day, but still very cold with temps in the low 20’s.  We left this beautiful Snowy and we shuffled off to Buffalo.  Our first stop was Central Terminal, which was surrounded by HUGE piles of snow.  I had heard that they were dumping snow here from the surrounding area.  We found no falcons here, so we headed to Buffalo’s Outer Bank, where Diamante had been seen and photographed hunting.  We found no falcons there, but we did find a falcon nest box on the Holcim building.  But instead of a falcon being in residence, a murder of crows had taken it over.

Holcim Nest Box -3-1-15Buffalo's Outer Harbor 3-1-15Buffalo's Outer Harbor 3-1-15

We headed back to Central Terminal and this time we were in luck.  Kathy O spotted a falcon on a light on a lower section of the building.  Dana was able to see that there was a green/black band, but could not read the #’s.  We were pretty sure that this was Diamante.  He flew down to the top of the building and went out of view for awhile.  He popped back up and took off from the roof, clutching prey.  Diamante flew around the front of the building landing on the corner of a higher section, where he settled in to eat his meal.  Lisa spotted a 2nd falcon up at the top of the building.  There was no way to ID this falcon, but we hoped that it was Gleig.

Diamante at Central Terminal 3-1-15Diamante at Central Terminal 3-1-15Diamante at Central Terminal 3-1-15

Gleig We Hope at Central Terminal 3-1-15Diamante at Central Terminal 3-1-15Central Terminal Nest Box 3-1-15

Diamante at Central Terminal 3-1-15Diamante at Central Terminal 3-1-15

Diamante took off and flew to the back of the building.  We tried to find him, but we couldn’t.  Gleig remained at the top of the building.  For those that don’t know, Diamante is the son of Rochester’s Mariah and Kaver and Gleig is Pigott’s sister.  They are Billie’s parents.

We headed over to the University of Buffalo to check on Yankee and Dixie.  No falcons were at the nest box, but we did finally find one on a nearby building.  The white wash down the whole side of the building was a dead giveaway.   Based on size, we thought this might be Dixie, although we never were able to see the bands.

UB Falcon Dixie Maybe White Wash on Building 3-1-15UB Falcon Dixie Maybe White Wash on Building 3-1-15UB Falcon Dixie Maybe White Wash on Building 3-1-15

We checked around the campus for a 2nd falcon, but could not find one.  It was time to head back over to Central Terminal for one last look before heading to dinner at the Anchor Bar.  Diamante had returned to the ledge he had eaten on earlier, but we could not find Gleig.  We ended our Buffalo Falcon Watch after seeing three of the resident Buffalo falcons.  It had been a wonderful day seeing Peregrine Falcons and Snowy’s and spending time  with good friends.  The weekend is over, can’t wait for the next one!  lol


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