Hi everyone!  

I took over 200 pictures and not one picture would give us a clear ID.  Because it was pouring rain at first, and then gray and cloudy, the lighting was very poor.  We definitely have our Midwest female PPE (Purple Pigeon Eater).  Her purple band stands out and I could see digits on the black over red, but nothing clear (even with enlargement and a magnifying glass.)  The other peregrine has a silver band.  Not once did this pefa turn where we could see if there was a colored band on the left leg.

This is twice now we have had an opportunity to get a bit closer, but the skies have not cooperated.  When the skies are dark and it is raining & cloudy, in order to let more light in, the ISO gets increased.  When I do that, the photos become more grainy and when enlarged the clarity is lost.

When Brian spotted the falcon, we thought it was PPE.  When we were closer, I said it doesn't look like the same moustache markings. But it was raining, the bird was wet, and it was a large-looking falcon.  We weren't sure if we were seeing a sliver band in the pictures on the camera either.  Then Kathy O came and brought us luck.  Brian saw the 2nd falcon and this one was definitly a big bird. It flew to the same metal tubular stack, next to the first falcon and Kathy O yelled, get them Joyce.  I wasn't able to brace the camera on anything so I did the best I could hand held.  

One thing for certain, it was not one of our downtown peregrines coming out for a visit, nor was it Mariah.  I will get an album together after work to share on the FalconWatch blog later.  For now, here are some photos downloaded from my computer.  The streaks you see are rain drops.

Joyce

Maybe while you're here we could organize a get together with the watchers and meet you.

I'm in...would love to meet you Bobbie while you are here.

BRAVO    Congratulations to TEAM PEREGRINE on reaching your goal and a PEFA to boot!  I saw MAK on Sunday while looking for the KP falcon.  She was moving slow...and still worn out, but she had a wonderful time! I can't imagine finding 103 species in one day.

GOOD JOB TEAM!!

[GO TEAM PEREGRINE!]

GO TEAM PEREGRINE!

We are all routing for you!!

With enthusiastic participants like MAK and Lisa (who are getting up and on the road at 4:45 am), accompanied by seasoned birders like Don and Suzanne - you'll break 100 species for sure!

[I love it...ACK ACK!!]

I love it...ACK ACK!!

[DaddyLouC (Lou):]

DaddyLouC (Lou): Peregrine Falcon on bldg 326 in Kodak Park. South side, viewable from Weiland Rd. Eating.

After getting Lou's tweet, Mak, Brian and I left downtown for Kodak Park.  Don't know if Lou got pics, but Dana had her long lens out.  The Purple-banded Pigeon Eater was on the corner of a building with another bird smaller in size - a CROW!  This could have been a smaller crow, or this peregrine is really big.  Just as we got out of the car, it started to rain.  Lou and Dana left, then it poured.  The rain let up a little and I asked Brian to hold my golf umbrella while I took some pictures. 

Hopefully, one of us caught a better glimpse of the bicolor band.  When I got home, I ate and fell asleep. Didn't get a chance to upload my pics.  Will share any findings later.

Joyce

[Ranger]

As many of you know, there has been some sad losses in OHIO this year, both in Cleveland and Columbus. 

The latest news as of 8/13 is that Ranger (SW's mate of 1 year) is improving.  He is able to get up and down in a small fight cage, but he does have nerve damage. Releasability is still questionable.  C&C have been following his progress and they were able to see Ranger at the Medina Raptor Center. He looked good, and was alert and responsive to movement. When food was dropped into the cage, Ranger responded immediately by flying down to get the food. However, it was clear that he wasn't using his feet to secure the prey to eat. After eating, he flew back up to the highest perch and very gingerly cleaned his beak on the perch. When he put his left foot up toward his head, his foot froze in motion, then quivered, and then he lowered it again to the perch without scratching. Nerve injuries will take a long time to heal.

On the positive side, it looks like SW has a new beau.  Attempts were made to identify the mystery male on webcam and in person, and finally this past weekend C&C identified the new male as "Boomer", C/66 from the 2008 Columbus nest site.  Juanita is amazing at providing the lineage of the Ohio falcons.  Boomer will carry on the legacy as son of Scout and Orville, and is connected to the infamous Buckeye as well.  You can check it out at  2010 Terminal Tower Falcons--Part 4.

Joyce

This was posted to the CMNH forum by BIG FRANK:

"My raptor watch is along the shoreline in Toronto. If these guys migrate there is a good chance they will go by my site. I will be keeping a good eye out for the antena/tracking device. Saw 73 Peregrine's pass the park last season. So far have seen 6 this August. Migration is just getting underway. Fingers crossed we'll see Quest."

The Thruway Authority caught this shot of the South Grand Island Bridge Peregrine!

So glad they carry cameras too.  Pretty Cool!

Hi Mark! 

We are all over the place on the weekends, but you will still see a couple watchers on the Broad St. bridge in the morning, and early evening.  Several watchers close the day at the frontier parking lot, where we can keep an eye on Beauty and Archer who perch on Xerox and HSBC...hoping Callidora meets up with Jemison and flies in to say hello before they take off for parts unknown.

Joyce

Good morning Rochester falcon watchers!  Unfortunately Donna has only been able to report for me sparingly as her phone is not holding a charge...What a wonderful watch on a late August morning in Rachacha!

That's it! I'm gonna get one of those phones where I can get tweets AND access the internet to get your reports. While at work, it's hard to be on the forum. But...if I had one of those smartphones, I could get a sneak peak when I go for coffee.  I wish I could have been there.    Wonderful watch MAK!   I'm going to call you the "stoop magnet".    Maybe it's time to think about an upgrade in your camera before next season.

So glad Lynda got to see some action since she has been a wee bit restricted with hubby this year. Here are Lynda's comments afterwards: "This morning was an awesome falcon watch..   MAK, Dan , and myself .... saw three stoops by Archer within 30min. and then Dan left and then a fourth stoop after he left...  I call it "Archer does the Quad".  MAK should be posting all details of the four stoops very soon... all took place between 8am to 9am...(very interesting stoops I might say. Yikes what a watch.. !!!!!!!!!!!!   The only early morning I have watched this year too.  ~only lyndabyrd" Yeah LYNDA! 

Joycie

Anne and Nora,

What wonderful heartwarming meeting it must have been.  I remember talking with Anne at Rhea Mae's banding day in Toronto this year, and her telling me about how you two became friends over the years. So much has tied you two together.  I'm so glad Anne had the time to travel and share such good memories.

The love the photo of Anne connecting with the great horned owl (#06).

Joyce

[wnyfalconfan (Joyce):]

wnyfalconfan (Joyce): B on south side Xerox 4th column and A on  north side HSBC near west corner. MAK, Joyce. Dana, Jeanne on watch.

Other watchers joined the watch...Carol P, Kathy O and Larry O (in a tie) who was formally dressed to greet a returning juvie.  The only activity we had was Archer who went from the HSBC NW corner to the NE and back.  Then he flew off and we didn't see him anymore.  Beauty remained on the south side of Xerox in her favorite place.  Larry and Cleo left and it was almost dark when hundreds of crows took to the sky above us and were cawing and cawing.  We had no idea what set them off.  Never saw so much crow activity.  We wished Suzanne was here to explain this behavior.

We are all keeping a watch for Callidora, but it is that time of year when the juvies are off on their own.  You never know, she may be still be in the area or coming back for visits.

[wnyfalconfan (Joyce):]

wnyfalconfan (Joyce): MAK reports that the falcon had prey and feathers were flying! Then it took off and headed west. Absolutely in awe of these peregrines.

I talked to MAK and I've never heard anyone so excited to see a stoop like that.  I saw one a couple years back in Buffalo do a straight down stoop off a building and then pull up at the end.  It is such a thrill...your heart thumps and you hold your breath. Congratulations on an exciting watch!

Sue Raz on Streaming Chat asks why Main Cam is not facing nestbox. (Especially now that A&B are visiting the nestbox more.)