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Eyes to the Skies

Morning watch 2-23-14

February 23rd, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Todays watch began breezy with a temperature of 35 (F) 2 (C) and ended very windy with bright blue skies and sweet sunshine

At 6:55am I found Beauty under the southeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB). I parked in front of the Blue Cross Arena (BCA) to get the best angle on her.

img_0016-hi-beauty img_0018-looking-at-prey-birds

She flew off 20 minutes later chasing 2 pigeons behind TSB and back to the east over the river where I lost sight of her. I pulled around to Broad St. on the side of BCA and she came back to land on the Mercury money bag (MMB) empty-taloned.

img_0025-beauty img_0027-beauty1<Click it to see full version img_0032-beauty

The Beautyful one stayed there for 15 minutes looking around for a meal and then she flew off to the west.

img_0033-beauty2 img_0042-shes-off<Click it

I drove over to the Frontier Communications tower (FCT) since that was the direction I last saw her flying. Sure enough she was on the east side railing of the platform. I had time for one shot before she flew off in a blurr to the north.

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I looked around the Kodak Office tower but didn’t see her. I then went to the Andrews St. bridge to have a look around and I spotted Beauty chasing pigeons starting over near KO and making her way across the river and disappearing behind buildings to the east. As I happened to notice a nice looking Coopers Hawk on a Water St. building. The pigeons around that area seemed to be teasing it by taking turns in groups of 3 or 4 and flying above and around it.

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After checking around downtown with no luck finding a falcon I left for the Brighton site (BS). As I came around the back of the building I spotted Dot.Ca (DC) on the southeast corner of the southeast extension and a I proceeded to the east side parking lot I saw Pigott up on the northeast corner of the east extension.

img_0061-pigott <Pigott    DC>  img_0063-dc

Since DC had his back to me from that side I went back to the south  (back) side of the building for a better angle on him. A few minutes later DC flew over in the direction of Pigott whom I couldn’t see from where I was parked. I immediately pulled away and just as they came into view DC flew off of Pigotts’ back side as they had just mated. I had my window down the whole way and could hear it but missed it visually.

img_0067-dc2 <DC>  img_0072-taking-off-to-mate-with-pigott

img_0093-pigott1 <Pigott> img_0100-pigott

He promptly flew back to the southeast extension and came to rest on the northeast corner above the roof top tree. Pigott started preening.

img_0076-dc <DC img_0094-pigott-preening <Pigott> img_0098-pigott

Around 8:40am DC flew off followed immediately by Miss Pigott going northeast. I saw birds scattering and over near Highland Park as Pigott and DC went buzzing thru. I lost sight of them and about a minute later at 8:50am I spotted a falcon (most likely DC) flying southwest in the direction of downtown. I waited a few more minutes and when nobody returned I left for downtown.

Right about this time Donna tweeted that Beauty was at the nest box and she was looking up like DC was there so thanks to her I knew right where to go first-the hole! I made it just in time to see DC fly west from under the northeast wing and Beauty shoot out from the nest box to follow after him. They returned a couple minutes later, I took a couple shots of DC under the wing then went up to the Broad St. bridge where I could see Beauty in the nest box.

img_0105-dc img_0106-dc1 img_0108-beauty-preening-at-nest-box img_0112-beautyful

DC flew off to the east at 9:07am and while I watched him Beauty snuck out of the nest box. I took a ride to the east side and returned to the bridge having no luck finding DC but I did find Beauty on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR. The sun was washing her out making it impossible to get a good pic so I went down to Graves St. by Aqueduct Park across from OCSR arriving just in time for her to fly west to parts unknown.

img_0122-beauty-takes-off img_0123-beauty img_0124-beauty img_0125-beautyful

What a way to end my watch eh!? I left downtown at 9:30am smiling because not only did I see all 3 Rochester Peregrine Falcons but the sun was shining and-well, love is in the air here amongst our beloved falcons and that’s a very good thing! 🙂

Click on the links below to see todays videos

http://youtu.be/rBjPWnpNEZ8

http://youtu.be/PHWzrLQ2wys

http://youtu.be/wzwqM26Gt0s

http://youtu.be/hiCM6_rID_s


Saturday Afternoon Falcon Watch – 2/22/14 – The Winds, They Were A’blowin!

February 22nd, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Sunrise at 6:56 am; Sunset at 5:49 pm.

The temperature during my watch was 40 degrees (F).  It started with sunshine and a brilliant blue sky and ended with clouds moving in.  The winds were gusting up to 60 mph!  But that didn’t bother our Rochester Falcons.

While I was at Kodak Park looking for a Peregrine Falcon, and not finding any, a smaller falcon caught my attention.  While I was in the parking lot, a male Kestrel landed on a nearby snow pile.  That was a first.  From there, he hunted the field in front of the fence and returned to land in one of the small trees near where I was parked.  The lighting was perfect for taking pictures.  Here are a couple I took. (2:00 pm)

Kestrel at KP 2-22-14Kestrel at KP 2-22-14*

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While I was watching the Kestrel hunt, I received a tweet from Donna (thank you!) that both Beauty and Dot.ca were at the nest box.  So, I headed in that direction.  I came in from the west side of the Times Square Bldg, driving through the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood.  This neat painting was on the corner.

Susan B Anthony Neighborhood 2-22-14*

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View of the Times Square Bldg (back) from the west side.

View of TSB From the West 2-22-14*

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From the Broad St Bridge (BSB), I could see Dot.ca was now on the top OCSR IBeam (south side) and Beauty was in the nest box.  Before I could get a picture of Dot.ca, he stooped off of the building flying low over the river heading south.  I believe he headed over to the BS location.  I met Bob, who was there for the first time to see the Rochester Falcons.  I pointed out the nest box to him just as Beauty flew out and over to the OCSR, where she zipped up into the elevator shaft.

Beauty in the Nest Box 2-22-14*

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We chatted for awhile, looking at the growing group of Red-Breasted Mergansers (RBM) on the river below us.  I counted 60 plus now.  At first there had just been females and now males were joining the group.  Very interesting.

Male Red-Breasted Merganser on River 2-22-14Female Red-Breasted Merganser on River 2-22-14Red-Breasted Mergansers on River 2-22-14*

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I said goodbye to Bob and headed over to the BS location, where I found Dot.ca on the east end tree ledge. (3:15 pm)

Dot.ca at BS on East End Tree Ledge 2-22-14Dot.ca at BS on East End Tree Ledge 2-22-14*

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The winds were howling around the building, but that didn’t bother Dot.ca.  He took off and whipped around and over the building, then swooping low to the ground and above the building again. (3:30 pm)

Dot.ca Took Off into the High Winds at BS 2-22-14Dot.ca Flying On the High Winds 2-22-14Dot.ca Flying On the High Winds 2-22-14*

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Somewhere during that flight, I believe he caught a small bird, probably a Starling.  Dot.ca landed on the southeast corner of the east extension carrying prey and started plucking.

Dot.ca Landed with Prey at BS 2-22-14Dot.ca Started Prepping His Meal 2-22-14*

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A few minutes later, I hear soft ee-chupping and in comes Pigott, carrying food of her own.  She landed on the center of the east end tree ledge and Dot.ca carried his food over to the same ledge to her left.  Feathers were flying from two areas on the ledge.  We had tandem eating going on.  lol (3:33 pm)

Pigott with Prey at BS Tree Ledge 2-22-14Pigott with Prey at BS Tree Ledge 2-22-14*

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Pigott finished first and she started to preen.  Dot.ca took off with what was left of his meal and flew over me.  He started to kak kak kak and I got out of my car expecting to see a hawk or crow.  But there was nothing.  Pigott wailed for just a few seconds and they both went quiet.  Dot.ca landed on the northeast corner of the east extension and continued his meal.    I have no idea what bothered them.  Of course their vision is much better than mine, so I’m sure something was flying through that caught their attention.

Dot.ca finished his meal and hung onto the corner of the building as the winds buffeted him.  Pigott was in an area that was much more protected from the wind.  Every now and then, Dot.ca would have to spread his wings and re-position himself.

Dot.ca Hanging on During the 60 mph Wind Gusts 2-22-14*

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I left Pigott and Dot.ca at BS and checked on Beauty, who was still up inside the OCSR elevator shaft.  She had switched from the north side to the south side ledge.  (4:40 pm)

Beauty in the OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-22-14Beauty in the OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-22-14*

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Before heading home, I drove down to the lake to see if I could find any falcons there.  As I was heading north down Lake Ave, I spotted a Peregrine Falcon zipping around on the high winds flying along the river heading south.  I was not able to see where this falcon went and it was too quick a look to tell if it was adult or juvenile.  This was near the O’Rourke Bridge.  (5:00 pm)  I checked Charlotte and Russell Station with no luck finding any falcons.  This ended my watch for today.  Goodnight everyone!

Morning watch 2-22-14

February 22nd, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

As I started my watch this morning it was a little breezy and mostly cloudy with a temperature of 37 (F) 3 (C). The sun rose and burst thru as the wind picked up and moved the clouds along at a pretty fast pace

img_0001-the-day-is-looming <You must click on my pics to view the full version>img_0003-sunrise-in-rochester

Today my watch started out at 7:05am on the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) where I spotted Beauty near the nest box and Dot.Ca (DC) under the northeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB).

img_0005-beauty-in-front-of-nest-box <Beauty   img_0006-dc-under-the-northeast-wing-of-times-square<DC

I drove down to the hole next to the Wilder building to watch them but just as I arrived I heard DC start chirping and then he flew off to the north. He came back thru flying over the nest box area before flying southwest out of view. I missed him joining Beauty at the nest box for a quick bowing session as reported by cam watcher and good friend Donna. After DC left Beauty flew over to cam 1.

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Around 7:20am the Beautyful one flew southwest and when I next found her she was on the east side of  Bausch & Lomb (B&L) on the northeast corner.

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10 minutes later she crouched down as she does when DC is approaching and flew off with him. They circled B&L a few times and then returned to the TSB.

img_0024-beauty-spots-dc img_0026-there-she-goes

I was parked on Broad St. across from Midtown and could see DC under the northeast wing of TSB and Beauty was on the main cam. I went back to the hole to be closer to our downtown pair.

img_0027-dc1 img_0031-bdc img_0032-beauty-all-foofed-up

They both did some serious preening as every once in a while Beauty would softly whine-I think she was trying to entice him to come to the nest box. I moved to in front of the Blue Cross Arena on Exchange Blvd. for a side view. Couldn’t see DC tho because of the way he was situated.

img_0051-beautys-intense-look img_0050-im-3-times-a-lady img_0067-dc img_0072-dc

I waited until about 8:30am and then headed over to the Brighton location-enroute I got a tweet from Larry saying Pigott was on the southeast extension. When I arrived she was still there on an east facing window below the tree that grows on the roof showing her back. Larry and Harold were taking a walk out in the woods and then they joined me.

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Larry and Harold left after a brief stay and Pigott turned around to do some stretching before showing me her back again.

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I left her to it and went back downtown arriving about 9:05am to find Beauty peeking out from in front of the nest box and DC still under the northeast wing preening.

img_0096-peekaboo-beauty<Beauty  DC>img_0098-dc img_0106-dc

It was time to get going so I ended my watch at 9:15am after seeing all 3 Rochester Peregrine Falcons which as you know makes me smile! 🙂

Today I have a link for a photo album plus 4 videos below, just click and view

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqjVa

http://youtu.be/_ttTZEd_m30

http://youtu.be/4rE1tmnSH0I

http://youtu.be/xzW4ZXzjCV0

http://youtu.be/tnddHe63D_I

Friday Afternoon Falcon Watch – 2/21/14 – Dot.ca & Beauty; Dot.ca and Pigott

February 21st, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

The days continue to get longer.  Sunrise at 6:58 am and Sunset at 5:47 pm.

When I left work today, it was 40 degrees and overcast.  The sun did come out for a short time during my watch.  I checked the Kodak Park (KP) smoke stacks and surrounding area and could not find the KP Falcon.  Just after I tweeted that out, I looked up in time to see a Peregrine Falcon zipping down the tree line, heading west.  It passed directly in front of me and continued towards the west end of the complex  heading northwest.  My camera was not turned on, so I grabbed my binoculars and got a very good look.  It was not the adult KPF that we have been seeing.  This was a juvenile Peregrine Falcon and based on size, a female.  I tried to locate her, but had no luck.

Pat had tweeted that both Beauty and Dot.ca were on the Time Square Bldg, so I headed there first.  When I arrived on the Broad St Bridge, Beauty was gone, but Dot.ca remained on the ledge below the northeast wing.

Dot.ca on TSB NE Wing 2-21-14*

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While I kept an eye on Dot.ca and looked for Beauty, I watched the river on the north side of the Broad St Bridge (BSB).  The number of Red-Breasted Mergansers had increased.  There were approximately 40 of them down there today, diving and swimming and just hanging out.  It makes me very happy to see them doing so well.

Red-Breasted Merganser on River 2-21-14Red-Breasted Merganser on River 2-21-14*

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Red-Breasted Mergansers on River 2-21-14Gull on Ice 2-21-14*

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While I was watching the Mergansers, Beauty flew in from the northwest and circled the OCSR before going up into the elevator shaft.  She landed on the north ledge and I was able to see her from the BSB.

Beauty OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-21-14*

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Dot.ca took off and Beauty came out of the elevator shaft and landed on Camera #1 near the nest box on the TSB.

Beauty on Camera #1 2-21-14Beauty on Camera #1 2-21-14*

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I left Beauty to go check on Pigott at the BS location.  She was up on the northeast corner of the northeast extension.

Pigott on NE Corner BS 2-21-14*

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Dot.ca had joined Pigott and was on the southeast corner of the southeast extension above the tree ledge.

Dot.ca at BS 2-21-14*

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Pigott flew around to the south side and landed on the southeast corner of the southwest extension.  She walked in a bit and found some cached food.

Pigott at BS Looking for Cached Food 2-21-14*

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After she found the cached food, she took off with it and landed on the east end tree ledge, just below Dot.ca.

Pigott Took Off with the Cached Food 2-21-14Pigott with Prey on the East End Tree Ledge 2-21-14*

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Fellow Watcher Kathy O joined me for a little while.  After watching Pigott eat for about 15 mins, Dot.ca took off and flew to the north side of the building.  I was pretty sure he had headed to their nighttime roosting spot.

Dot.ca Heads for Their Nighttime Roost 2-21-14*

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At approximately 5:45 pm, Pigott finished her meal and joined Dot.ca at their night roost on the north side of the building near the east end.  Pigott was 4 windows down and Dot.ca was 2 windows below her.

Both Dot.ca and Pigott Went to Night Roost 2-21-14*

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It was time for me to end my watch, happy to have seen all three resident Rochester Falcons doing well, plus the juvenile Peregrine Falcon at Kodak Park.  Goodnight everyone!

Morning watch 2-21-14

February 21st, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

This morning it was raining, overcast and windy with a temperature of 40 (F) 4 (C)  There’s a high wind and flood watch in effect

Beauty was on Bausch & Lomb (B&L) eating again on the northeast corner of the north side.

img_0008-beauty-with-a-bite img_0010-beauty3 img_0011-beauty1 img_0012-beauty1

She finished after a few moments and walked down the ledge to the west where I couldn’t see her so I drove to the Broad St. Bridge where I could see her.

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She flew off when I wasn’t looking and I got a message from Donna saying she heard Beauty near the nest box area but couldn’t see her on cam. I turned around to have a look at Times Square but didn’t see any falcons around. I checked the entire area and came up empty so I drove over to the Radisson Hotel where I found Dot.Ca (DC) on the south ledge of the elevator shaft out of the rain but no Beauty.

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DC turned around to show me his other side and it was then that I noticed a bump on the Kodak Office (KO) launchpad northeast corner.

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I left DC and headed over to KO to find that it was the Beautyful one just hanging out. Funny that she wasn’t with DC but these falcons have their own ideas on what they want to do.

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I stayed only a few minutes and left to check on Pigott at the Brighton site (BS). When I arrived at 8:45am she was out front on the northwest corner of the northwest extension-I think she was looking for DC. I was running out of time so I didn’t stay long with her either.

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I went back downtown and checked to see if DC was still in the elevator shaft-he was gone. One last check of KO found Beauty still on the northeast corner of the launchpad.

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A few seconds after I arrived I spotted DC circling above her and then it happened- the infamous SWOOP! DC swooped down on Beauty twice-she ducked and he circled around and disappeared. Carol and Kathy saw him swoop on Pigott the other day at BS so I think we can assume that this is his own style of courtship. He is a character! lol A few minutes after he left the area Beauty pooped and did some wing stretches before flying off to the southeast.

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I apologize if my reports seem rushed these days-that’s because they are, I’m in the process of packing and moving so I have only so much time for everything. With that said, I ended my watch at 9:15am and left our fair city smiling after having seen all 3 Rochester Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/t8_RoKNx9uc

http://youtu.be/mpqbw6TzCxM

http://youtu.be/L1XzAEINa78

Wednesday and Thursday Afternoon Falcon Watches – 2/19 & 2/20/14 – Spring is in the Air!

February 20th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

With temperatures up in the 40’s yesterday and today, it feels like a little bit of Spring in the air!  and the falcons are feeling it too!  Rochester is currently under a flood watch (through the weekend) and a high wind warning through late Friday evening.  If you’re watching the Rochester Falconcam cameras tonight, you might even see some lightening.  Crazy weather for sure.

Like I said, Spring is in the air and for the first time this year, both Beauty and Dot.ca were at the nest box doing a little bit of housekeeping, bonding and bowing.  Here is a picture captured on the Rfalconcam Main Camera today.

Beauty and Dot.ca at the Nest Box Today 2-20-14*

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

My Watch started at Kodak Park where it has been a few days since I have seen the falcon there.  I have to wonder if this was a wintering bird and that s/he has started its migration home.  I’ll keep checking and report if I see KPF.

At the BS location, I found Pigott on the northeast corner of the east extension.  She was preening and looking about.  Dot.ca was not there.

Pigott at BS 2-19-14*

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I left her to look for Beauty and Dot.ca downtown.  Dot.ca was on the south side top IBeam of the OCSR.  Beauty was up inside the OCSR elevator shaft on the north ledge.  I could see her from the Broad St Bridge because the elevator was down.

Dot.ca took off and chased a Coopers Hawk down towards the river.  I did not see where Dot.ca went, but I did find the Coop in a tree on the north east side of the Broad St Bridge.  It only stayed there for about a minute before hightailing it out of there.

Coopers Hawk in a Tree Near Broad St Bridge 2-19-14*

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I looked for Dot.ca, but was not able to find where he went.  He may have headed over to the BS location.

Beauty came out of the elevator shaft and landed on top of the Mercury statue.  While she was up there, the neighborhood pigeons took flight and swirled over the river on both sides of the bridge landing frequently and taking off again.  They were very uneasy, probably sensing a predator (namely Beauty) watching from above.

Beauty on Mercury 2-19-14*

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Swirling Pigeons 2-19-14Pigeons Pass Beauty on Mercury 2-19-14Pigeon Line UP 2-19-14*

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The ice on the river was receding, allowing a group of about 20-25 Red-Breasted Mergansers (RBM’s) to dive and feed.  There have been many reports on the Genesee Bird List saying that the RBM’s have been struggling this Winter. Many have been found dead and dying.  Very sad.  I was happy to see this group feeding well.  🙂

Ice Receding on the River 2-19-14*

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Red-Breasted Mergansers Feeding on the River 2-19-14Red-Breasted Mergansers Feeding on the River 2-19-14Red-Breasted Mergansers Feeding on the River 2-19-14*

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Just before the sun started to set, Beauty took off and went into the OCSR elevator shaft.  This is where I left her at the end of my Wednesday watch.

Beauty OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-19-14Beauty OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-19-14*

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Thursday, February 20, 2014

Again no Kodak Park Falcon found today.

When I first pulled in to the BS location, I saw a falcon eating up on the northwest corner of the west extension with its back to me.  While I was trying to find a spot to park and get a better view of this falcon, another one flew in and landed on the northwest corner of the northwest extension.  There was a bit of ee-chupping and wailing in greeting.  Finally I was able to see that it was Dot.ca who had been eating when I first arrived.  Pigott flew in from the northwest, now kitty-corner across from him.  She had a full crop.  Dot.ca finished eating and turned around so I had a better view of him.

Peek-a-boo Dot.ca at BS 2-20-14Dot.ca After Finishing His Meal at BS - 2-20-14*

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Pigott at BS 2-20-14Pigott at BS 2-20-14*

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It was overcast and it started to rain.  So, I left Pigott and Dot.ca to head downtown to search for Beauty.  I found her tucked up inside the OCSR elevator shaft on the south ledge.

Beauty OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-20-14*

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The rain picked up and it got very windy, so I ended my watch.  The coming days should be very interesting now that Spring is in the air.  At least for a day or two!  Sorry to say the cold weather will be returning soon.  That’s Winter in Rochester for you!  Goodnight everyone!

Wind and Rain Move Into Rochester NY 2-20-14

Morning watch 2-20-14

February 20th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Todays starting temperature was 31 (F) 1 (C) there was a slight breeze and it was sunny until just before the end of my watch when it clouded up

As has been her routine the past week Beauty grabbed herself some breakfast or was eating cached food up on the Bausch & Lomb (B&L) buildings northeast corner as I began my watch at 7am. I parked on Broad St. across from Midtown as has been my routine as well.

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She finished up in about 20 minutes, had a few words to say and flew off to the north.

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I caught up with her a few minutes later-she was under the northeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB) perched and cleaning up after her meal.

img_0022-beauty-on-tsb img_0026-beauty img_0032-beauty-feaking

Maybe 10 minutes later Beauty spotted Dot.Ca (DC) flying in from the southeast. She scrunched down as he flew in above her and landed on the metal grating between the northeast and southeast wings-there was some vocalization between them.

img_0037-beauty-spots-dc img_0038-shes-watching-dc-come-closer img_0039-and-there-he-is

The 2 of them stayed perched looking around and at each other from time to time and both did a little preening and both had their back to me.

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I left them around 8am to go check for Pigott at the Brighton site-she was nowhere to be found. While I was there, Donna reported that Beauty was near the nest box calling for DC but he didn’t join her. On my way back downtown Pat reported that Beauty was on cam 1 and DC was above her under the northeast wing so I went directly to the hole by Keybank to see for myself. Yep, they were still there-thanks Pat and Donna!

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I could barely make out a fascinator (feather stuck to falcons) on Beautys’ cere in between her eyes. She must have been looking cross-eyed with that there-so cute! DC had a crazy look in his eye too!

img_0075-beauty-with-a-feather-on-her-cere-a-fascinator img_0078-hi-beautyful img_0100-crazy-eye img_0103-dc-all-shook-up

They did some preening and stretching as they kept track of their surroundings and each other. They were spotted on cam at the nest box around 10:15am by Pat bowing to one another, so this means the new falcon season has begun!

img_0111-streeeetch img_0112-dc-stretching img_0131-dc <DC

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I had to leave for an appointment at 9am so I ended my watch and drove off smiling after being entertained by our downtown duo! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos

http://youtu.be/H0dfaDfFuU8

http://youtu.be/WT0NKIlc29E

http://youtu.be/9LGEvr8yOZw

Morning watch 2-19-14

February 19th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

When I saw what the temperature was this morning I almost felt like I should change into shorts! It was 35 degrees (F) 2 (C) calm and overcast to start-the sun came out later on as I landed at the Brighton Site (BS)

On my second trip to the east side today I found Beauty on the northeast corner of the north side of Bausch & Lomb from the Inn at Broadway parking lot around 7:20am- I drove to Broad St. to get closer but she left while I was in tweeting her whereabouts. No worries for I spotted not only Beauty but Dot.Ca (DC) on Widows Walk 10 minutes later as I was driving past on Exchange Blvd. The Beautyful one was eating on the northwest corner and DC was above on the north side railing as I pulled over on Fitzhugh St.

img_0002-bdc<You must click on my pics to see the full version>img_0010-bdc

img_0014-hi-there-beautyful img_0017-beauty-has-a-bite <Beauty  DC> img_0021-dc img_0022-dc

Every once in a while DC would look Beautys’ way but for the most part he preened with his back to me and Beauty as she ate.

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Beauty finished eating and cleaned herself up by feaking and picking at her talons. Fellow watcher and good friend DebbieH came by on her way to work-we had a nice talk after a long winter season of not seeing each other. DC continues to show us his back and started preening.

img_0050-feaking img_0055-feaking<Beauty  DC>img_0064-dc img_0077-dc

Just before I left them, Beauty turned around, pooped, shook her tail feathers and got comfy on her corner.

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Off to BS to check on Pigott-arriving there at 8:40am I found Miss Pigott on the northwest corner of the southwest extension right above the cubby. Larry had tweeted earlier that as he drove by on his way to work he saw a falcon on the northwest extension.

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The sun came out from behind the clouds and washed her out as she stretched her wings. I stayed about 15 minutes and left Pigott to bask in the warmth of the sun as I headed back downtown.

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Watcher from work Pat had tweeted that she could see one falcon on Widows Walk so I went there directly from BS. I found Beauty and DC in the same spots as I had left them earlier. She was on the northwest corner and he was still on the north side rail-they were preening together. I watched them from Basin St. next to the Wilder building.

img_0118-bdc-preening img_0121-you-can-really-see-the-size-difference-in-this-pic

You can really see the size difference between Beauty and DC  in that last pic. I left them to it and ended my watch around 9:30am. It was great seeing all 3 Rochester Peregrine Falcons-this makes me smile! 🙂

Click on the links below to view our falcons

http://youtu.be/BKbmC5TBie0

http://youtu.be/Qx-INnhWcH0

http://youtu.be/XTIMS6rnTM0

Tuesday Afternoon Falcon Watch – Three Falcons Reported Downtown This Morning

February 18th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

I didn’t have much time this afternoon, but after hearing that a 3rd falcon was seen downtown, I wanted to make sure all was quiet there.

Earlier today at 11:00 am, Beauty showed up at the nest box.  (Picture from Rfalconcam Main Camera.)

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At 11:23 am, Watcher Pat reported seeing three falcons flying downtown.  12:16 pm was the last time Pat reported seeing three falcons.  During the afternoon, Watchers MAK, Lisa McK and Kathy O were out keeping an eye on both Pigott at the BS location and Beauty & Dot.ca downtown.

At 4:00 pm, I found Beauty tucked up inside the OCSR elevator shaft on the north ledge.  Then from the Broad St Bridge, I saw Dot.ca fly in and land on the top IBeam on the south side of the OCSR near the south corner.

Beauty in the OCSR Elevator Shaft 2-18-14Dot.ca on Southside Top IBeam OCSR 2-18-14*

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While I watched Dot.ca take off a couple times on hunt runs, three of these BIG birds passed over, heading east.

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Dot.ca took off again and then there were two falcons flying together over the river.  They both landed on the top Ibeam of the OCSR, Dot.ca on the left and Beauty on the right.

Dot.ca and Beauty on OCSR 2-18-14Dot.ca and Beauty on the top IBeam of the OCSR 2-18-14Dot.ca and Beauty on the top IBeam of the OCSR 2-18-14*

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During the little over an hour that I was downtown, I only saw Beauty and Dot.ca.

I was not able to get over to the BS location to check on Pigott.  But, fellow Watcher Larry O did report that there was one falcon seen there after I ended my watch.

This is definitely the season for wandering falcons looking for nest sites or just passing through on their migration.  Goodnight everyone!

Morning watch 2-18-14

February 18th, 2014

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Well, we have warmer temps today 28 (F) 2 (C)  with overcast skies and snowing while I was on watch

Once again I found Beauty on Bausch & Lomb (B&L) eating to begin my watch at 7:05am. The past couple days she was on the northeast corner of the east side-today it was the northeast corner of the north side of B&L. She was in on the roof a bit, kinda out of view until she finished and came out to feak (wipe off her beak) on the edge. I watched her from Broad St. across from Midtown.

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After Beauty finished her meal she got cleaned up, pooped and flew off to the north. I took a ride around downtown but didn’t find her as the few flakes of snow that were flying invited their buddies making it too hard to see the tops of buildings. I left to check the Brighton site (BS) hoping I could see well enough to find a falcon there. I was successful in finding both Dot.Ca (DC) and Pigott tho it was snowing and blowing pretty good at BS around 8am. He was in the front (north side) 2 windows down on the northwest extension-she was on the west side on a top floor window kiddie corner from the cubby.

img_0016-dc <DC   img_0020-pigott1 <Pigott

During the time I was at the BS location Miss Pigott had her back to the world trying to ignore the weather but she did turn her head so I could see her. The snow let up long enough at one point so that I could positively ID this pair thankfully.

img_0026-dc<DC>img_0040-dc img_0049-pigott<Pigott>img_0055-pigott

I left them on their windows to return to our fair city where it was snowing pretty good. I could barely see Beauty in the elevator shaft of OCSR on the south side ledge.

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Even thru the snow she’s Beautyful with her salmon color chest! She obviously was going to wait out the weather so I ended my watch at 9am with a smile after having seen all 3 resident Rochester Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to see our beloved falcons in the snow

http://youtu.be/Yr2oNW0ZV_w

http://youtu.be/4zpu1bMfm1U

http://youtu.be/zUqK1PNIH_s

http://youtu.be/FTfrswC3U_g


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