By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

The title of this watch report says it all. Dana and I were ecstatic to find Artemis in the High Falls Gorge this morning. If not for a gull diving on Artemis, who was on a tree on the east side gorge wall, we would have never know she was there. Thank you gull!

Dana, Larry and I were downtown watching Nova, Neander and at least one juvie this morning. Since we were not able to positively identify the juvie or juvies we saw, it is impossible to tell if we had more than one.

There was a juvie that came in for a food transfer from Nova and flew south with the food. A little later, we saw a juvie on the Radisson that had a very full crop. This juvie hopped around for a bit and then laid down out of view.

Larry and Gimli left and Dana and I decided to head over to the observation deck at High Falls. The pedestrian bridge is now closed for one and a half years, so we could not look from there.

After arriving at the observation deck, our attention was drawn to a gull that kept diving on the tree line on the east side of the gorge. We expected to see a Red-tail Hawk there, but to our surprise it was a juvenile Peregrine Falcon!

At first, we couldn’t see a band, but eventually she did turn towards us and showed us her bright blue band. Hello Artemis!

While we were there, she took off three times and flew around the gorge, chasing gulls and pigeons, anything that flew. She was having a ball and so were we! Watching falcons in the gorge is always our dream!

On her 3rd flight around the gorge, she headed south, over the rail road tracks at the top of the falls and headed towards downtown. We believe she ended up on the Radisson.

After such a fun Saturday morning watch, Dana and I headed over to ST to check on Billie and Beau and their two juvies. We only saw Billie and Beau there. All the juvies are starting to wander a bit.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Well, what can I say? This year got away from me totally! As you have probably heard, downtown Rochester is a wreck! There are very few options on where to sit and watch or park the Rochester Falcons and certainly nowhere quiet. A few of us even got parking tickets! That was a first for me. Here’s a couple shots to show you a bit of what we have been dealing with.

Enough complaining, it is what it is. Another strange thing that happened this year is that no watcher’s actually witnessed any of our young falcons fledging. It all happened while we were not there. From Jubilee’s accidental fledge after being pushed off the wall by sister Artemis, then Artemis soon taking off after that, to Sterling waiting until later that day. Thankfully all three fledged safely to nearby buildings.

I do apologize for not leaving any watch reports this year, but things have been a little hectic. I and other watchers have been downtown to keep an eye on the young juvies as much as possible. Weekends are the best, since it’s easier to move around.

Sterling, Artemis and Jubilee have been seen hanging out together and training, under the watchful eye of Nova and Neander, to become successful Peregrine Falcons.

I’ve finally had a chance to download my picutres. There are quite a few favorites that I’d like to share. Hope you enjoy!

BE SURE TO CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO SEE THE LARGER VERSION

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Since tomorrow is forecast to be a rainy day, I decided to go out this morning. I usually enjoy Sunday morning watches, but I really enjoyed today’s watch.

It had been a very long time since Nova and Neander had visited the Times Square Bldg nest box. Falcons have been seen over on the Five Star Bank bldg, but yesterday, our cameras caught two falcons on the Wilder Bldg chimney. So, I hoped to see them closer to the Times Square Bldg (TSB) this morning. My wish came true!

From the Court St Bridge, I could see a large flock of pigeons in panicked flight between the TSB and the jail communication tower. I was pretty sure I saw a falcon in the mix but did not see where it went.

I drove all over but had no luck finding any falcons. When I returned to the Court St Bridge, I spotted two falcons chasing pigeons around the Times Square Bldg. To my happy surprise, they both landed at the TSB nest box!

Parking closer to the building, I could see them and hear them ee chupping loudly to each other. They remained there for a while before they both took off, heading east. I was unable to find them, so I ended my Saturday morning watch.

Now, I can’t be 100% sure that it was Nova and Neander, but it sure looked like them.

Here are some pictures from my morning watch. Enjoy!

The following is a series of pictures showing Nova taking off from the Times Square Bldg nest box platform.

Finally, I was able to afford a new computer! I was posting pictures of my pictures, which weren’t very good. So, now I’ll be able to share my pictures again. I had thousands to go through! Pictures and videos from my 2022 falcon watch.

Here are some of my favorite pics of Kanfai Malachim, Zara and Blaze and Nova and Neander. I hope they are all doing well!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Here are a few pics from my watch on Saturday morning.

No juvies, just Nova and Neander hanging out.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Please continue to pray FOR A FRIEND

Today’s Watchers: Jeanne, Kathy O, Larry O, Joyce, Dana and Carol P.

It was a beautiful and very chilly (downright cold!) morning watch. Jackets were a necessity! Brrrr! Gotta love August in Rochester, NY. Of course, as I write this, it’s 76F and sunny. Beautiful!

There isn’t much of a report today. The only falcons we saw were the adults, Nova and Neander. At the beginning of the watch, Nova was on the south side of the Wilder Bldg green strip and Neander was up on the Times Square Bldg nest box platform. They were chatting back and forth, probably discussing where Kanfai Malachim and Blaze had gone. Nova for sure had a very full crop.

We started out in the hole (Aqueduct St) and ended up on the other side of the river on the west side of the Convention Center where we have a wonderful view of the whole area.

Neander ended up napping on the west side of the Wilder Bldg green strip and Nova took off heading north and turning in the general direction of the Powers Bldg.

So, no juvies downtown, but on the way home, Dana and I found 2 juvies at ST.

Here are a few pics of pics from this morning.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Please continue to say a prayer FOR A FRIEND.

Watchers: Kathy O, Larry O and Carol P.

The kids were back! Woohoo!

Yesterday, we only had Nova and Neander. Nova had food for her young ones, she called for them, but had no takers.

Today, it was all about Kanfai Malachim and Blaze. They were back under the watchful eye of one of the adults, who was watching them from the north side of OCSR.

When I first arrived, both juvies were on top of the old Radisson. Kathy and Larry with Gimli joined me on the Court St Bridge. Both juvies took off and flew low over the river. One came back and landed on the old Radisson clutching something small. This was probably a successful hunt! Although we did not see the actual catch. The juvie was enjoying its breakfast when the 2nd juvie landed nearby. This one had food too. All I can say is that they both came back with prey. lol Blaze and Kanfai Malachim both enjoyed their meals.

After finishing their meals, both juvies took off. They joined each other in a game of talon tagging and flying over the river. We saw a hawk flying towards us over the river. One of the juvies stooped on it and the hawk quickly moved out of the area. Blaze flew towards OCSR and it looked like he landed on top of the disk. We lost sight of Kanfai Malachim.

Larry drove over to the Andrews Street Bridge and reported that both juvies were back on the west side of the Old Radisson and there was an adult on the north side of OCSR top Ibeam.

Kathy and I headed over to the Andrews Street Bridge. When we go there, we could only see one juvie and it was Kanfai Malachim. Blaze had taken off and landed on top of OCSR. It wasn’t long before Kanfai Malachim joined him.

It was quiet now, so we ended our morning watch. I loved seeing Kanfai Malachim and Blaze together again!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Please continue to PRAY FOR A FRIEND

Watchers: Larry O, Dana and Carol P.

This morning was very cool, almost cold. Dana and I were wearing hoodies. Larry O had a towel wrapped around his shoulders. lol

It was a quiet watch. The highlight of my watch happened when I was parked on the Andrews Street Bridge. A juvie was on top of the OCSR Elevator Shaft. The juvie was too far away to get an ID.

After a few moments, the juvie spread its wings and took off, dropping down the face of the building. Fast! So fast, I actually lost sight of it. When the gulls low on the river started screaming, I knew the juvie was close, really close.

Right in front of me, the juvie raced across the river, chasing the gulls and a couple pigeons. Next, the juvie zipped over the Andrews St Bridge, heading north. I quickly lost sight of it. Well, that was fun! Of course I got no pictures or videos. I just watched and enjoyed. I would not be surprised if both Kanfai Malachim and Blaze have had a successful hunt.

We did check the High Falls area just in case. The only thing of note that we saw was a juvie Bald Eagle heading south.

The rest of the watch was pretty quiet.

Here are a few pics of pics from today’s watch.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

Please say a prayer FOR A FRIEND

Morning Watchers: Larry O, Dana and Carol P.

I was going to take a day off, but just couldn’t do it. I’m glad I didn’t because I would have missed some really nice flying by our falcons. All four were seen today.

When I first arrived on the Court St Bridge, there was a juvie on the Old Radisson. The juvie took off and now there were two, talon tagging and having a good time. After awhile, both landed on the Old Radisson and both had food. Not sure where they got the food, but they were both busy eating their breakfast.

Larry O arrived with Gimli. He told me that there was an adult on the Times Square Bldg nest box platform. So maybe there was a food transfer I missed.

Things were quiet for awhile, before the juvies left the Old Radisson, heading west. The adult, I believe was Nova, also took off from the Times Square Bldg. On the way over to the Frontier Communication Tower, I heard the juvies flying overhead vocalizing quite loudly. Dana had joined the watch and reported that one juvie had landed on Widows Walk with an adult. The adult left.

From my view of Widows Walk from Fitzhugh St I could only see a little bit of the juvie. Another juvie flew in and landed on the NW lower corner of Widows Walk scattering 30+ pigeons that had been roosting there. It was Blaze, and Kanfai Malachim was jumping down from the railing to join Blaze on the corner.

They both took off and the air was filled with the loud vocalizations of two playful young falcons. I believe at least one of the adults was joining in on the fun.

Dana found Blaze, Kanfai Malachim and an adult on the Jail Communication Tower. After they all left, we ended our morning watch.

It was so nice seeing them all together again!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P

Watchers: Larry O, Dana, Linda and Carol P.

Another 3 H Day! Hot, hazy and humid with temps near 90F.

While yesterday was a Blaze morning, today was Kanfai Malachim’s morning. We saw Blaze get food and eat on top of the old Radisson yesterday.

Today started with both adults with food. Neander on Powers and old Radisson and Nova on the NE corner of Wilder. Nova was calling out to the juvies, but neither came in to take her offering.

Both adults took off heading towards Xerox/5 Star area.

We searched and searched with no luck finding any of the falcons. All the watchers settled on the Court St Bridge in the shade.

Finally a falcon, flying high above Xerox and heading our way, over the river and landing on the NW wing ledge of the Times Square Bldg (TSB). We’re pretty sure it was Nova and she was carrying food looking for a juvie. Still no takers.

It was time to search again. Dana and I ended up on the High Falls pedestrian bridge. From there, we could see a juvie on the west side of one of the Water St bldgs, overlooking the river. From the Andrew St Bridge, we got a closer look. When the juvie took off, we could see a blue band. It was Kanfai Malachim!

Kanfai Malachim flew low over the bridge and the river. She crossed the river, flew by the Times Square Bldg and headed north, landing on the Frontier Communication Tower below the platform. Linda, Dana and I set up in the shade.

Kanfai Malachim settled in to preen and nap. After a long rest, she took off heading SE.

We all split up to look for her, but we couldn’t find Kanfai Malachim and we didn’t see Blaze this morning.

When we ended our watch, there was an adult eating under the TSB NW wing ledge. We were pretty sure it was Neander.

As always, I apologize for the poor quality of my pics of pics.