By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
What a gorgeous morning for a watch with a temperature of 57 (F) 14 (C) and blue sun shiny skies

As I rounded the corner from South Ave. to the Broad St. bridge (BSB) I spotted a falcon watcher on the south side of the bridge sitting in his lawn chair. It was Dan and he had his binoculars up to his face watching Dot.Ca (DC) on the top ibeam south corner of OCSR. As I made a u-turn to pull up behind his car I got that big beautiful smile of his-a great way to start my watch! Make sure to click on my pics to see larger version

At 6:30am DC flew over to the heel of Mercury and seconds later Beauty appeared out of nowhere and knocked him off taking his place while he went over to cam 1.

At about 6:50am Beauty flew east crossing the river going behind the Chase building and continuing on past Bausch & Lomb, circling above Xerox then flying over Midtown and vanishing on the east side. Meanwhile DC remained on cam 1 watching over his offspring. I had tweeted this but for some reason it didn’t get sent. Around 7am DC flew up to the northeast wing ledge and soon after stooped down toward the Wilder building out of view. A minute later I noticed DC on the top ibeam south corner of OCSR.

At 7:15am Dan left and I went for a ride to look for Beauty-as I was coming up on the BSB from the east side I saw a falcon fly to the base of Mercury from the OCSR building where I had left DC. I reported that it was DC but it was actually Beauty as I could plainly see when I was checking my pics for this report. She was catching her breath before pulling feathers out of a fresh kill and then she  had a few bites as I observed her from the hole.

At 7:41am the Beautyful one flew off Mercury with her package and took it over to the Times Square building (TSB) lower back roof north side after DC came off cam 1 met her over the Philipone building then flew back to cam 1. At the time I thought there was a food exchange but they faked me out!

Beauty had a few bites then cached the remains and flew around to knock DC off cam 1. Larry was up on the BSB with Harold at this time reporting what he could see from there. DC flew to the Mercury money bag (NNB) and Beauty flew down to the nest box. I then went up to the BSB to join Larry.

It quieted down after that so I checked out the Genesee River-the water level is down to where shore birds can enjoy it again. The only birds down there were ducks at the time-hopefully we’ll start seeing herons again soon.

Larry and I decided to head out as all was calm in the Rochester Peregrine Falcon world-we were both smiling! 🙂

Click on the links below to see more pics and videos

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqjkS

http://youtu.be/CWtBFam6PQM

http://youtu.be/9L72HDTKZYo

http://youtu.be/MtXUQS1-rGc

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

The sun was shining bright under blue skies and a temperature of 49 (F) 9 (C)

As I turned onto the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) from South Ave. I spotted movement on the green base of Mercury. I pulled over and got out of the car to see that it was Dot.Ca (DC) eating and plucking a feather here and there.

At 6:28am DC flew over to the Times Square building (TSB) landing on the deck with a nice red chunk of goodness for his family-he went promptly into the nest box to feed them.

I went down to the hole parking lot to watch after taking a look around for Beauty. At some point DC snuck out the nest box because at 6:45am I noticed him under the northwest wing of TSB with his back to me.

I went across the street to the parking lot next to the TSB for a better angle and 5 minutes later Beauty flew in from the northeast and landed on cam 1. I returned to the hole as I couldn’t see anything but her back as well.

At 6:58am the Beautyful one flew northeast only to return half a minute later and DC was gone from the northwest wing ledge.

Both Campgee and Larry reported an eyas was out on the platform-thanks! Now the nervous watching starts for all of us as the kids start venturing out of the nest box and give us fits when they get close to the edge! This was sleepy time for Beauty and as I turned to look at Mercury I discovered DC up on the money bag.

They seemed to be settled in preening, napping and watching over their territory. The police started to block off roads for a Fast and Furriness 5&10K run in town this morning so I decided to end my watch early at 7:30am so as not to get blocked in.

Joyce was asked to go to Buffalo and try to ID a couple falcons there-she asked if I would join her, so hence the early departure this morning. I left smiling as usual after seeing both of our downtown Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/lUTsVfuaooU

http://youtu.be/5DtuLuYHtpY

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

I forgot to check the temperature when I left this morning but I did check it on my way out of downtown on the State St. bank clock. It was 58 (F)  14 (C) and sunshine prevailed throughout my morning watch

As I arrived on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) I could see Beauty up in the front of the nest box. As I pulled over she flew out heading east crossing the river out of sight. A couple minutes later she returned and landed on the top ibeam south corner of  OCSR. I then went down to the hole for closer viewing.

At 6:41am the Beautyful one spread her wings and sprung off the ibeam heading south quickly leaving my field of vision behind buildings.

A few minutes later Beauty returned coming to rest under the southeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB). I decided to park on Exchange Blvd. in front of the Blue Cross Arena (BCA) to view her from a different angle.

<Click it

Beauty then performed a series of  hand signals which is always good for seeing those BYFs (Big Yellow Feet).

At just about 7am Beauty suddenly dropped off the ledge going into stoop formation so fast that all I could do was watch as she went straight down toward the hole parking lot after a bird. I lost her for a split second behind the Philippone building before she came back into view over Exchange Blvd. in front of He’s Chinese. She was swooping back and forth like a pendulum coming close to the road on the downswing no more than 3-4 feet above it, scaring the heck out of me as the light changed and cars were heading that way! Thankfully she flew off toward Widows Walk before getting hit by a car only to fly back thru with prey in her talons and went to the base of Mercury with it.

Beauty had caught herself a Mourning Dove and it was still alive when she first landed as I could see it flapping its wings in an attempt to escape-mercifully she quickly ended its life, plucked some feathers then flew to the nest box to feed the eyasses. She spent about 10 minutes in there then I saw her fly up to cam 1 as I went back to the hole to observe.

Just about the time I started wondering where her mate Dot.Ca (DC) was, Beauty spotted him coming from the north with food and she took wing to meet him.

The race was on to reach the deck with Beauty right on his tail feathers. Their was a flurry of wings and vocalization as they landed so I couldn’t tell you who landed first but Beauty promptly took the food and went in the nest box as DC flew over to the top ibeam south corner of OCSR.

I situated myself where I could see DC on OCSR and the nest box area from Aqueduct St. DC dozed off a little as I wait for Beauty to emerge from the nest.

I decided to go up on the BSB where I could see in the nest box somewhat and as I was pulled over watcher Pat walked by on her way to work at Thomson Reuters. I caught up with her and gave her the scoop on the mornings activity and then she was on her way again. I couldn’t see Beauty so I returned to my spot in the hole and soon after Beauty flew up to cam 1. She too was sleepy as I noticed her eyelids shut a couple times.

Meanwhile, over on OCSR DC was awake and preening. He pooped and got back to maintaining his feathers as I started packing up my equipment to leave.

I was sure the kids were in a food coma after getting 2 meals in a short period of time as their parents were relaxing in the warm morning sunshine. I ended my watch at 8:15am smiling after another great watch! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/RY5AO_t6ihQ
http://youtu.be/-JVue4kq-CM
http://youtu.be/-UJG3s-DUFA

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Brrr, I guess the cold front they promised has come thru as the temperature was only 47 (F)  8 (C) when I started my watch this morning but the sun was shining up above with bright blue skies

As I arrived in the hole at 6:20am I could see Beauty perched up on cam 1. She stayed there until 6:32am when she flew off to OCSR.

I believe the Beautyful one was looking for her mate Dot.Ca (DC) to come with breakfast for their 4 little darlings. She was looking north and at 6:39am DC came flying thru and Beauty was off right on his tail feathers, chasing him over to the deck. There was some vocalization as they landed next to the main cam almost simultaneously with Beauty grabbing the food and going into the nest box to feed the eyasses.

<Beauty takes off after DC

DC stood there for half a minute-probably trying to figure out what just happened then flew to the top ibeam west corner to watch.

While I was taping DC, a blind homeless man appeared on the corner of Main and Aqueduct St.-you could hear him on my video calling out asking if this was west Main St. There were people standing around, walking past him and nobody would help him, so when I finished taping I got out the car and walked down to him. He wanted to know if this was the west Main bus stop-I told him no that’s across the street and would he like me to walk him across-he said please grab my elbow and let’s go. He said he wanted the Jefferson Ave. bus-so I checked the digital board and told him it was on schedule and should arrive in 2 minutes. I stayed until he got on the bus with his walking pole. Sheesh-why are people so uncaring!?

Anyway,back to my watch-this is where it got confusing because when I returned I didn’t see DC on that west corner of OCSR. When I checked with my binoculars I saw a falcon whom I thought was still DC with his back to me a little bit off the corner now, then I saw it turn around and walk to the corner and feak. It was Beauty-she must have knocked DC from the corner.

At 7:09am Annette tweets that a falcon is on cam 1 (TY)-turns out it was DC not Beauty as I had reported. At 7:11am Beauty flies in and knocks DC off cam 1 and takes his spot.

<DC  <Beauty

At 7:18am  DC goes to the nest box (confirmed by Annette-thanks) and then Beauty flies down to middle deck perch where she would remain until 8:03am. DC flew out from nest box and went to the 2nd ibeam south corner of OCSR.

<DC>

DC stayed on OCSR preening until 7:35am when he stooped on a starling down toward the river out of view then reappeared chasing after it heading north behind OCSR where I lost them.

While parked on State St. across from the Rochester Plaza Hotel, I spotted DC on the top ibeam west corner of OCSR at 8am.

At 8:03am DC flew off flying right above me and landed for a second on the building I was parked next to then he was off again and Beauty now joined him as they flew above and around the Crossroads building before heading south toward the Times Square building.

I drove to the hole where I found DC under the northeast wing preening and looking around.

I hung out with DC until 8:30am-then I called it a watch. I left smiling after having been kept on my toes by our busy, game playing downtown Rochester Peregrine Falcon pair! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/rEWuqYlNaAc

http://youtu.be/gj4qfMnWm4g

http://youtu.be/hP0nQCClL6A

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – 67 degrees with a cool breeze off of the river.  Jacket weather for sure after the warmth of the last few evening watches.  Tomorrow morning is supposed to be downright chilly.

The evening watchers were Dan S, Kathy O, Larry O and Carol P.

There was some flying tonight, but not like yesterday when it was non-stop flying by Beauty and Dot.ca.  Our most exciting moment was when, in the beginning of our watch, we looked up to see Beauty hovering over us, hanging on the wind, very low.  It only lasted a few seconds, before she drifted off to the north.  Love seeing them close up like that!  I’m sure she was on a hunt.  There are many pigeons that go under the Broad St. Bridge.

Beauty flew to the Times Square Bldg and landed on Camera #1, aka Pan Cam.  Dot.ca was over on the south side of OCSR (First Federal Bldg) on the top IBeam.

*

*

*

*

*

After Larry arrived, Dot.ca took off and flew over the river and then south.  He seemed to definitely be on a hunt.  Dot.ca ended up on the top arm of the jail communication tower.

*

*

*

*

*

After awhile, Dot.ca took off and headed south, low over Cornhill.  He crossed over the river behind the Frederick Douglas-Susan B Anthony Bridge.  We lost sight of him after that.  When I left at 8:30 pm, he had not returned.  At least I didn’t see him return.  Beauty remained on Camera #1.

I’ll leave you with some pics I took of the Rochester Falcon neighborhood during my watch.  If you put your cursor over the picture, it will tell you what it is.  Goodnight everyone!

*

*

*

*

*

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Way less humid this morning as I headed out and 13 degrees cooler than yesterday at 60 (F) 16 (C) and back to sunshine

As I turned onto Broad St. from South Ave. to start my watch I spotted falcon watcher and mentor Dan sitting in his lawn chair on the south sidewalk of the Broad St. bridge (BSB). I also spotted Dot.Ca (DC) on cam 1.

Dan left soon after I arrived and I went to the hole parking lot to observe DC. He spotted something right down in front of Times Square (TSB) as I was taping him. You could see his eyes get very large just before he stooped on whatever it was he saw. DC returned seconds later empty taloned, coming to rest on cam 1 again.

A few minutes later DC flew northeast and I took off to look for him. On my way back to TSB-as I was stopped for a red light at Main and State St. I spotted a falcon fly to the nest box. I drove to the hole and just as I got there Beauty flew in with prey and landed on the deck by the main cam at 7:04am. Shortly after that DC flew out the nest box heading northeast and Beauty went in to feed their kids.

I took a quick trip north looking for DC but didn’t find him so I parked on the east end of the BSB where I was far enough away to see Beauty in the nest box feeding the eyasses.

I then went back to the hole as DC showed up and landed on the north side of the deck next to main cam. Beauty flew out with leftovers taking it to the base of Mercury and DC went in the nest box.

Beauty flew off to the northeast and ended up on cam 1 a few minutes later.  I parked on Aqueduct St. (the hole) between the Thomson Reuters and Philippone buildings to share space with the Beautyful one.

10 minutes later DC showed up under the northeast wing of TSB. They both were doing some preening and Beauty did nap a little too as they watched over their family and territory.

I opted for ending my watch at around 8:15am smiling, therefore leaving our Rochester Peregrine Falcon family safe and sound!

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/7KpS2dEpZSc

http://youtu.be/AmJ_-VEVGIQ

http://youtu.be/suWoEBpr7qQ

http://youtu.be/YQqUym27g54

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

When I arrived downtown, Lisa McK was already on the Broad St. Bridge.  During my two and 1/2  hour watch, other watchers arrived to witness a wonderful evening of high flying falcons.  Mostly Beauty, but Dot.ca joined in now and then.  Other Watchers this evening included Kathy O, Dana, Joyce and Larry O.  For most of the time we were on watch tonight, Beauty was flying high and low over downtown Rochester.  It has been a very long time since we’ve had such a wonderful flight display by both Beauty and Dot.ca.  Here are some flight shots taken this evening.  Most are of Beauty.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Dot.ca would join Beauty in some tandem flying, but most of the time he was up on Camera #1 aka pan cam, keeping watch over the 4 young eyases in the nest box.  The eyases are still very young, but this may have been a flight lesson for them.  I’m sure they were watching.  lol

*

*

*

*

*

Every now and then, Beauty would settle on a building for just a few moments and then she was off again.  We saw her stoop, heading south and behind the Dinosaur BBQ.  She came up empty taloned.

Now that the water level has gone down on the river, the critters that normally call the river their home at this time of year are returning.  Lisa saw a Great Blue Heron there earlier and a big turtle that we see every year. Tonight there were some ducks, including this momma duck and her ducklings.  So happy to see the river critters beginning to return.

*

*

*

*

*

At 8:30 pm, we all decided to call it a watch.  Dot.ca was still at the nest box and we weren’t sure where Beauty was.  It had been a wonderful, warm , windy evening with lots and lots of high flying by our Rochester falcons! Goodnight everyone!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was 73 humid degrees as I started my watch with dark,dreary conditions and the threat of rain

I arrived downtown just before 6:30am and drove down to the hole just in time to see Beauty fly to the deck immediately followed by Dot.Ca (DC).  He had food and I could just make out Beauty taking the food from him in a flurry of wing flaps by both of them before she went into the nest box to feed their babies. DC remained on the deck momentarily then flew to the Mercury money bag (MMB).

DC kept looking down at something and I was watching a lady bug that was crawling on my side view mirror-a bright spot on this gloomy morning.  Make sure to click on pics to see the full version of them.

While distracted by the little red bug DC left MMB-I drove forward on Aqueduct St. between the Thomson Reuters and Philippone buildings where I could see a falcon on the heel of Mercury. I assumed DC had dropped down to it as I tweeted out that he was on the heel. After taking a good look at the pic I could see that it was Beauty and I texted Donna to confirm that Beauty was not in the nest box. Thank you for the assist D!

The Beautyful one flew off when I wasn’t looking and when I went back to the hole parking lot I could see DC on cam 1 as he was preening around 7am.

I decided to go up to the Broad St. Bridge to see if I could spot Beauty up in the nest box-she wasn’t there so I started scanning the area. As I looked up at Mercury I noticed the tail of a small prey bird on the leg up close to the statue-somebody had cached it there.

After searching for Beauty with no luck I returned to the hole to watch DC.  At 7:24am I spotted Beauty flying in from the west and landing on the deck with food then in usual fashion, rushing into the nest box to feed the baby eyasses. Everything falcons do is fast!

<Click it 

Minutes after that it started to rain-DC remained on cam 1 getting soaked as I got out my umbrella. Usually DC goes to the shelter of an OCSR ibeam when it rains but I guess he thought he needed a shower today. He turned around showing me his back after a bit and as there was nothing going on in the rain I ended my watch at 8:15am.

Keep smiling everyone-it makes people wonder what you’re up to! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos if you want

http://youtu.be/5IwTG-jmaVQ

http://youtu.be/FGHMJkH0FHU

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

6:30 to 8:15 pm

Another gorgeous evening with temps in the mid-80’s.  When I arrived downtown, I found Dana on the Broad St Bridge.  Beauty was up on Camera #1 aka Pan Cam.  We looked for Dot.ca, but could not find him.  We decided to move down to Aqueduct St (aka “the hole”).

*

*

*

*

*

Beauty took off and stooped over us heading east towards the river.  She just missed catching a Starling.  Beauty returned to Camera #1.

*

*

*

*

*

Kathy O stopped by for a short visit before heading home.  Dana and I decided to head up to the Broad St Bridge (BSB) hoping to find Dan, but he wasn’t there.  At 7:40 pm, Dot.ca flew over the river heading east fast.  We didn’t see where he came from.  We lost sight of him near the old Midtown Plaza.  Ten minutes later he returned, flying towards the Times Square Bldg.  He veered off to the south and landed on the top arm of the jail communication tower.

*

*

*

*

*

It was 8:00 pm and time for me to end my watch.  I said goodbye to Dana and headed down Broad St heading towards the Times Square Bldg.  While I was stopped at the light, Beauty flew off Camera #1 and headed south.  I followed and found that she had landed two arms below Dot.ca on the jail communication tower.

*

*

*

*

*

At 8:15 pm, I headed home, but I looked back one last time when I turned onto Exchange.  Both Beauty and Dot.ca were gone.  It was time to really end my watch.  Goodnight everyone!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

This morning the starting temperature was 64 (F) 18 (C) with blue skies and sun. The high is supposed to be 87 with high humidity building in as the day goes on

When I arrived on the Broad St. Bridge there were no falcons around. After checking around from the hole I went down to the Andrews St. bridge and spotted something white on the top ibeam of OCSR near the west corner. I drove down to State St. and pulled over across from the Rochester Plaza Hotel to observe Dot.Ca (DC)-the white one.

DC started out snoozing, woke up for a bit and looked around, then turned his back to the world.

I decided to go back to the hole and check for Beauty-parking on Aqueduct St. between THe Thomson Reuter and Philippone buildings. I could just see the Beautyful one past the Philippone roof from there as she was perched on cam 1. She too appeared to be napping with one eye open.

<Click it

When I played my video of her on my computer I could see that she was keeping watch while her right eye lid was closed-another cool thing about Peregrines! I went for coffee and when I came back naturally Beauty was gone-I checked the archives and could see that she went to the nest box just a couple minutes before my return. I drove to the bridge but couldn’t see her so I checked the river finding it to be flowing slower and the water level was down exposing a lot of the rocks.

<Click it

I went back to State St. to find that DC was still on the west corner top ibeam of OCSR and I also noticed the large wings of a leftover meal hanging over the northwest corner of the Crossroads building.

I ended my watch  on a peaceful note and with a smile at 8am after seeing both adult downtown Rochester Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/oHqXfQXIA2s

http://youtu.be/BZKQ-eegE5o