Rfalconcam Forum

It's probably time we started thinking about this.  The weekend after July 4 is Corn Hill, and hotel rooms are packed; however the weekend of July 15-17 has lots of rooms available.  Last year, we did July 17-19 (two weeks after the 4th and got some great flying.

What do you all think?  I just made a refundable reservation for July 15.

Paul

right now that works for me

 :mbanana:

Funny, I put in for that weekend off as soon as hard incubation started, but I wasn't going to say anything until first pip.  Never too early to plan!

I am dealing with some geriatric animal issues right now that make leaving town both complicated and costly, so I will need to wait a while before committing.  However, the date sounds good and I have penciled it in.
Kapi in VT

Hmmm!!

OK-for the first time I've been doing this the Hyatt came in cheapest...booked, Danno!

Sounds good to me!!  Off I go to get reservations!! :clap: :clap:

I'm sorry to hear your fur babies are not as spunky as they once were.  I do hope you'll be able to join us this year!

For those who may be new to this watcher weekend thing...there are less expensive hotels & motels on the perimeter of downtown Rochester within easy travel of falcon watch central.  As it's my only vacation for the year I choose to splurge on downtown.

I just started a new job two weeks ago, so I'm going to be short on vacation days this year...so no Rochester visit for me.   :(  I hope there are some successful hatches, healthy juvenile peregrines, and you guys get to see some great flying!

:<(

Larry

Since Beauty started incubating late, mid July sounds very good.  Plus if we have babies at Kodak Park, they will be even later than that.  Sounds like a plan!

Patti, that's terrible...2 years in a row not making it.  You'll be missed.

I am having serious doubts about hatching.  But I will be there, young birds or not.  The area is lovely and there many things to do, aka Lake Ontario and environs.  Plus the falcons will still be around.  AND the falcon watchers are the best group ever.  We are trying to build something down here, either Jersey City or Water Street.

Why doubts Bonnie, Beauty has been incubating since day 1. What do you mean?

Ahhhh, that's too bad.  Going to miss seeing you Patti.   :(

We're still well within normal incubation time.  By my calculations hard incubation started the same day this year as last year, with hatching on day 35.  Still plenty of time before we start worrying.

Thanks for the info, Ei, and glad to have you back with us-you were missed.

Thanks-still a lot of stuff to do-and I will be gone again this weekend-but good to be back!

Good to have you back. In the mean time, be gentle with your self. Healing and good thoughts are with  you.

I've been back & forth & forth & back about whether to come to Rochester July 15-17.  Obviously we won't be having the traditional fledge watch party  :crying:

I have the time off and the reservations, but my piggy bank took quite a hit this spring traveling twice to Florida. 

Then I thought about one of the few things I regret in my life...I canceled a second trip to Rochester in 2008.  I never imagined how things would change the next year. 

And there's Beauty & Archer to see and Unity to meet.  And I've never made it to Wild Wings.  And friends to see if anyone is in town...that's what it's really all about, after all.

So I'll be arriving late on Thursday, staying at the Hyatt until Sunday.  I'm planning on playing it by ear...hook up with whoever is out watching...road trip to Wild Wings if anyone is interested...a toast to all the beautiful grandeyases this year...there is a lot to celebrate!

I'm thinking about a trip up there, too.  But I don't have a current passport and I would like to go on to Toronto.  I also have my own birds to care for here.    ???

Oh, that's great!!!  I've been thinking that we should have a "no fledge watch" gathering in the little park Saturday late morning or noonish!!  I thought I'd bring some snack or whatever to share, and maybe a falcon will make an appearance!!  Need to talk to MAK about that:-)

So glad you will still make the trip Ei!
Suzanne in Ithaca

Update on it...lots of fledges to watch in Buffalo so everyone will be there that weekend!!  We hope to make the trip, a little over four hours from here, and see you and everyone else!
Suzanne

 :wave: I have been contacted by Eileen(Dumpsterkitty) via email in regard to her visit to Rochester this coming weekend. She will be here Friday and Saturday. I don't know if anyone else from out of town is coming but she and I will be visiting Wild Wings on Friday(I have previous plans for Saturday). She has room for 1 one more passenger besides me. I know people work but if there is anyone else who can join us please let us know. I will be contacting Dan and Brian to see if they are interested. Also, if any of our local watchers is planning a trip to Buffalo on Saturday I'm sure Ei would like to join them.  :foxbinocs:

Thanks MAK!  :wave: I was going to post a note when I got home, but you beat me to it!

I actually have room for 2 more aside from MAK for Wild Wings (that'll teach me to write when I've got something else on my mind).

And Saturday...I'm ready to just go with the flow!

Ei,

I think I have to be at work in Buffalo on Friday... but maybe I can work from home.  What time is the trip planned for Wild Wings?

Saturday is the Airshow in Rochester, and I don't know what's goin on for a get together, but I'm flexible.  I'd be glad to have you acompany me to Buffalo for a watch, if you want to go.

Hey, do you have your enhanced license or a passport?  Do you want to go see Harlie and RM&T in person?  I know it's a lot of on the road for you, but if you want, here's an opportunity to see them in person. 

At your service...
Joyce

No set time for Wild Wings yet-still just plotting.  A Buffalo watch sounds like fun!  But no border crossings for me this trip :( ...saving up to renew the passport &/or get an enhanced DL when I renew in November.  I WILL get to see the Toronto crew next year!

I have two birthdays on Saturday afternoon and three on Sunday (not sure what time) but can probably do a meet up!  Wild Wings might be a possibility but I can drive myself!

Due to work & previous plans, I won't be able to join in on the fun on Friday.  Hopefully Saturday.  Let me know what's being planned.

Glad you're able to still make it to Rochester Ei!   :happy:

Carol P.

MAK and Ei - for some strange reason, I am off this Friday, and I would LOVE to meet you at Wild Wings.  I have never been there  -  even though I don't think I live all that far away!  I think I've met some of the birds at some school exhibitions, but after seeing  some of MAK's pictures, I'm would love to visit
Tell me time, and where you are meeting, and I can meet you there. 
I am working Saturday, but like you, Ei, I want an enhanced license or to renew my passport for next year to see Quest and maybe Harlie will be in town somewhere!

Make sure to take some peanuts and sunflower seeds and take a stroll through the paths at Mendon Ponds Park...I've managed to get chickadees to feed from my hand even on my summer visits.  I just walked around until I heard chickadee(s) calling, put my hand out and waited patiently...not as easy to do when the mosquitoes are biting!

Good point, Patti!  Dan S always carries peanuts and the chickadees love them!

Thanks for the tip!  Just need to remember to put them in the car!

Cool!  Once we firm up a time we'll figure it out!

Wait for me, guys - wait for me!!!!

I loved Wild Wings, I had the Junco's eating out of my hand. I was thrilled.  :clap:

Would love it if there was some get together Saturday! Let me know, OK? I can't drive to Buffalo though.  :mbanana:

My email......

[Address removed to prevent spammers from getting it. Use the forum's PM feature to contact Dawn.]

It would be great to see you!

OK...so far...Wild Wings on Friday-they're open 10-2, exact time TBD. So far in my car, me & MAK. Maybe Jeanne & Margaret will meet us there. 

Joyce has graciously offered to schlep me to Buffalo for a fledgling fix on Saturday, again, time TBD.  I was thinking maybe we could figure out a place to meet for dinner Saturday-nothing fancy-just a time & place & whoever can get there can get there...

Now if we could just get the transporter beam working for Bobbie ;) ...

I would love to join you all at Wild Wings on Friday.  If Terry knows we are coming, I'm sure she would try to arrange for us to see Tory (Peregrine) up close and personal.  I was there this spring with a group from school, and it's pretty amazing to see those wings and her eyes so close.  Also, they typically have small bags of sunflower seeds available for purchase to take on the Bird Song Trail.  You might not want to count on it, but it's good to know if you can't get peanuts. 

It sounds like most will be in Buffalo on Saturday, but if anyone is looking for a relaxing, informative experience in Rochester for a few hours, here is an idea:  A narrated trip down the Genesee River and Erie Canal on the Mary JEMISON, docked just down the street from the Times Square Building.
http://www.samandmary.org/index.php?cat=cruises&page=maryjemison (http://www.samandmary.org/index.php?cat=cruises&page=maryjemison)
Reservations required, if anyone is interested.

Carrie

Ohhhhhhh! Thanks, guys!! Sounds like one fun weekend comin' up!

That cruise sounds wonderful, Carrie. We have been on the canal on the Sam Patch - great fun - but never the river. Must remember that for the next time. Yup - one fun weekend!

Cool!   :clap:  Do you want to ride with MAK & I or will you get there yourself? 

I'll have to look at the Mary Jemison schedule later...see if I can squeeze it in somehow...

Thanks for the ride offer, Ei.  I have a very direct route to Wild Wings, so it'll be easier for me to meet you all there.  Just let me know when!

Carrie

Yes, please post what is going on for Saturday in Buffalo, time and location.   Don and I will try to meet everyone there. 

Hope to see you all Saturday!
Suzanne

We cannot make it this year!  I'm bummed!!! :crying:  I'd go to Toronto in a flash and would be great to see Nisgara Falls again!  Lunch next year Ei!!!  Will miss seeing everyone!!!

FYI -- I just checked Mary Jemison schedule :  Cruise at noon, two, four pm.   First one is 75 minutes long, the others are two hours.     Cost is 13. 

Brian is coming with us Ei and I left a message for Dan. Waiting to hear back from him.  ;D

Hmmm...maybe I could squeeze that in Friday at 4...have to ponder that...

Oh good! I was hoping he'd be up for an adventure!  :clap:

 
Will do!  Anyone know Terry well enough to give her a call?

Phooey!  Well, hopefully next year we'll be back to "normal"! I'll miss seeing you guys too!

Once plans firm up we'll let you know!

Sorry I won't be able to be there this year.  There seem to be enough options to make for a great weekend.
I seriously blew the budget at the vet's in May.  The dog survived but the bank account did not.  And, though he is doing very well, even without financial considerations, I am not anxious to leave my 13-year old Sherlock at the kennel right now.
Hope to see you all next year,
Kapi in VT

Bobbie - Yes, the Mary Jemison is very similar to the Sam Patch but a different route and you don't go through the locks.  They're both owned by the same company, and we've enjoyed both trips.

Non-Fledgewatch Weekend - I sent an email to Terry at Wild Wings to let her know we are planning a visit for Friday, and to see if Tory is up for a small group visit.  If I don't hear from her, I can call.

Carrie

Terry's response:

Carrie,
 
Thanks for the notice. I would be happy to take Tory out for you-just ask for me in the cottage and I will let them know you will be coming. There is seed in the cottage for $1.00 a bag and some bagged peanuts that work great too.
 
See you Friday.
Terry

(I had also asked if sunflower seed is still available.)

Carrie

Dave & I have a Wedding to go to on Saturday, so we won't be able to join all of you :crying:
Would like to try to join you all at Wild Wings if someone will give me a time... is anything going on that Sunday??
Hope to see you all, ginha

Thanks!   :clap: :clap:

We haven't firmed up the time yet, ginha, but will post as soon as we know! 

I'll probably just hang out downtown looking for birds Sunday morning 'cause I have to head for home by early afternoon.

Wish I could join all of you at Wild Wings on Friday.  Darn work always getting in the way.   :(

Have fun everyone!

Carol P.

I have a dumb question;  peanuts?  Are they peanuts in the shell?   
I usually pull them out of my parrot's bird seed because I don't like to feed them to him, and save them for the bluejays and chipmunks in my yard.   The jays swallow them whole -- three or four at a time,and the chipmunks just store mounds of them in their mouths!     I'll bring my supply as well as the left over bird seed  I have. 
I am looking forward to meeting Ei and seeing some of the other folks I've only met once or twice in person!   
What time at Wild WIngs?

Carol, you do a whole lot considering "darn work always getting in the way"!   
 I feel like a total perch potato compared to you watchers!   
I am so happy to be able to get out to WW this Friday and share time with watchers! 

Peanuts should be out of the shell (and unsalted, preferably; the salt's not any better for the birds than it is for us).  Chickadees love the shelled peanuts.  Some birds will take peanuts in the shell (blue jays, tufted titmouses (titmice?), but during summer at Mendon Ponds you're going for chickadees.  On my visits to Mendon Ponds Park I usually have peanuts and sunflower seeds so they'll have a choice, and 90% of the time they go for the peanuts.

Oh, and here's a photo album from my 2006 Rochester Falcon Watcher's Weekend...I got very lucky with the chickadees that year...other years I've had some luck or no luck...
http://classic.kodakgallery.com/bellhanley/main/falcon_watch_2006 (http://classic.kodakgallery.com/bellhanley/main/falcon_watch_2006)

Re Patti's post on peanuts... they are a major staple for feeding garden birds here and in the UK - especially in winter. We buy them in bulk, in a big burlap sack. They are already shelled, ready to put into the feeders. (I will see if Rod can dig out some pix.) They are for animal consumption, definitely not salted. And the birds can go thru an entire peanut feeder's contents about twice per day if the weather is bad and the food scarce. At first, it was just the tit family that hung on the feeders - blue, coal, great. Over the years, the sparrows and starlings have learned the trick - they are the culprits who can clean out a full feeder in no time. "Our" European robin has learned the hanging-feeder trick too.

Can't say as I have ever seen peanut feeders in my part of NY... anyone?

Our next-best feeding item is apples. The Thrush family love these - blackbird, song, mistle. Also the tits and many others. Again, I will try to dig out pix (or "someone" will) and post these in time for winter... sigh...

OK-here's the plan so far...I'll pick up Brian & MAK and we'll meet whoever can come at Wild Wings around 10:30 Friday morning!  I'll have baggies, a sack of sunflower seeds & a jar of unsalted peanuts (blood pressure won't allow salted anymore) in the car for anyone who wants to try some chickadee feeding! 

I will meet you there at 10:30 on Friday - also bringing unsalted peanuts and sunflower seeds and lots of water for us humans!

Sounds like you're a "girl scout" like me!  Can't wait!

It will be great to meet you -- in person. I've met MAK and Brian before --and Carrie. 
I ' ve always had to work -- at least for the past five years -- so I've missed Falcon watchers weekend. 

I'm looking forward to meeting you too!  :clap:

It has occurred to me that Perhaps Wild Wings uses the proceeds from the sale of $1.00 nuts and seeds toward maintenance of the residents, in which case bringing one's own might be considered in marginal taste.  If I were fortunate enough to be able to join you all there, I think I would plan on purchasing theirs as long as they have it, before bringing my own.  Others' mileage may vary :-)
Carol
WV

I will be joining you all on Friday!!!  The chickadees are awesome!  Dan S, our longtime watcher, sometimes will hide the peanut in the other seeds so that the chickadees stay longer on his hand as they search!

Oh good, I think I also met you, jeanne, last year . I am looking forward to it on Friday!

I think we did, Margaret!!! It will be fun!

I had actually thought of that.  I was planning on making a donation & leave the seeds for those who don't know about the chickadees in advance.


Yippee!

You all give "Barf" a kiss for me....OK?  ;)   :-*

Oh I absolutely will!

 :( Brian has informed me that he won't be able to make it to Wild Wings with us tomorrow.

Oh phooey!   :( Well, give him my phone #...if he changes his mind all he has to do is call.  Maybe I'll get to see him at some point during the weekend.

So, furnace guy has finally left the building...a few more things & I'll be hitting the road.  I won't be getting there too awful late after all!  No fancy internet phone, so I'll be a bit out of touch, but I do have tweets enabled on my phone, so I'll be able to get the latest news of who's where!

Later!

Have Fun!!!

Yes, do! I'll be awaiting your report...

Slainte!

Safe trip, Ei!   

Be careful out there> :police:

Rita - Syr

If you see Cody, a Long Ear Owl, give him a hug for me please. Kris had adopted him for me last year.
I wished that I could join you, but it is impossible this year. Watch for me next year ! ! ! !
Have a good weekend.
Nicole

Cody is the 1st Owl you see when going to the other outdoor cages. He's a cutie also!

I plan on being at Wild Wings tomorrow (today?) with you all - late notice but as long as my mom doesn't ask me to take her to the doctor tomorrow I'll see you all then.  I'm really looking forward to it!

Not too late. See you then, Susan.

I am planning on driving to Buffalo/Niagara Falls on Saturday to take Ei to see the falcons in the area. We'll make the rounds to as many sites as we can. The juvies are spreading out and not easy to spot them near their nesting areas.  Hopefully we'll get to see some play, talon tagging or at least a food exchange with the Central Terminal juvies.

Everyone knows I am not a morning person...but I plan to be up early to head to Buffalo. Place your bets ladies and gentlemen, I want to be on the road by 8:00am. If anyone would like to join us, please let me know. There's room for two more.

Someone mentioned getting together for dinner Saturday evening. If plans are being formulated, I'll flex with getting back to Rochester to meet-up.

Great, Susan!!!

Is anyone at KP tonight?  :wave:

A great time was had by Ei, Mak,Susan, Carrie, Shaky,Margaret, Joyce,Dave,Jenne and me at Wild Wings. Terry gave us a Tour and then she took us to School. It's a room for kids and others to have a close up look at these most wonderful Birds. I won the ID10T award for not putting my Memory Card back in my Camera after I put Hummingbird shots in the Computer...DUH!!!! We enjoyed bonding with Falcon Friends again this year.

ginha
P.S. Hey Donna.....we all gave Barf kisses from you  :scaredblue: :hysterical:

So glad that you all had a great time at WW!  A great place to visit-lots of fun!  Did any Chickadees show up for food? Sorry we couldn't make it this year with so much going on here with our home renovations. Hopefully next year!

We were hoping to get more Rochester Falcon Watchers to go to Buffalo tomorrow, but only Dana and I were able to.  and you know us, we ARE the early birds!  We plan on leaving at 6 am, grabbing an Egg McMuffin and a cup of coffee ane be on our way.  Hope some of you will be able to join us (Ei, Joyce, Dana and I). 

I'll have my walkie talkies with me.

Carol P.

I would love to join the four of you on your journeys, but I cannot due to work.  I did enjoy meeting Ei for the first time in person today, as well as ginha and dave and Susan.   It's nice to be able to put a name and face together.   And, ginha, I win  the IDIOT award -- as I got lost and a 13 mile trip became a 23+ mile trip. 
To be able to see not only Ei, and MAk, and  and Carrie and Shaky and Joyce and Jeanne again, but to sit in and  see all those raptors at Wild Wings -- WOW!l.   I hope that all of you who took pictures will post, as I did not take pictures, and there were some great shots taken. 
Nice to see all of you  today. I enjoyed my day with you and the raptors at WW and Terry did a magnificant job.   You can tell she loves her job and her birds.
I hope that you have a great trip to Buffalo and Ei enjoys her time here.   

Been out of town and didn't realize there would be a watchers weekend (even without babies).  Been awhile since we've been able to get up there (especially now that we live in SC!), but thinking of you all and hoping you are having a fabulous time together!!!  Lots of good memories of previous weekends!
Vandrefalk/Karen R

It was nice to have someone to watch with in the early morning again. Dan took this season off with no babies to watch. I think it worked out fine for Ei to come for watchers weekend anyway. Yesterday she saw some great stuff in Buffalo and though they weren't around a whole lot for her she did see Beauty and Archer. And Unity as well. Have a safe trip my falcon watching friend and we'll see ya next time you roll into town!  :wave:
 :foxbinocs:

Hi gang!  I'm home in one piece...a bit longer than usual due to some nig-nogs on the road doing 50 in formation and a few errands on the way home...

Neither cat seems particularly ticked at me, so that's excellent news!

What a great weekend!  A gazillion pictures which will have to wait for my arms to stop vibrating  ;) Saw babies, even if they weren't "ours", just flying for the joy of flying-my favorite part!  And, of course, the real reason, to spend time with friends!  :flowers:

You had a great falcon weekend Ei!! So glad! Welcome back.  :wave:

Glad you're home safely and that you had a good time while here.  Sorry about not getting a chance to see you but hopefully next year!  Can't wait to see your pics!

So glad you made it home safely Ei!  It was wonderful seeing you again.  It was great fun.   :clap:

Carol P.

Sorry I didn't get to see you this A.M. Got too humid for me. Looking forward to next time.
Take care Friend, ginha

I'm happy you arrived home safely!  ;D

 :silly:
Nice to meet you, Ei. At least I  now know to whom I am speaking when I post here  :wave:

OK...so I return to work to both all my work that didn't get done Thurs & Fri as well as the work of someone who's on vacation this week...might as well set up a cot here...

Only one picture is ready to share so far...



...a hug from Barf!

Oh and isn't he stunning!! Why is it that I fell in  :heart: with a Turkey Vulture!!!! I did. Thanks Ei, what a great pic.  Enjoy your (http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc107/MaryBeths_bucket/Smilies/smilie_bett.gif)

Big bold Barf!

Great pic of Barf, Ei!  :clap:

Nice Ei!  :flash:

 :wave:
Nice picture of Barf, Ei.   

Beautiful picture of Barf!  Thanks for sharing Ei!