Nice pics MAK!  Thanks for sharing.

Happy Belated Birthday Aafke!

I truly hope you had a wonderful day, filled with every thing you love.

 

This evening, Kathy O, Dana, Joyce and I had dinner with MAK and spent time comforting each other and talking about what we had seen since last weekend, when a pair of Peregrines came into Rochester, Beauty's territory.  We know that Beauty did what any female falcon would do, she defended her territory and her nest site.  The cameras showed us Beauty at the nest box, which was unusual for her at this time of year.  Watchers did witness some aggression between Beauty and the female of the pair.  

After Sunday, Beauty did not appear on camera and we started to worry.  She was seen most mornings sitting on the Mercury statue.  Where was she?

Starting on Monday, I stopped after work to check the downtown area.  I saw nothing on Monday.  Tuesday, I stayed until after dark and finally found a Peregrine sitting on the south side of the old Changing Scenes Restaurant.  I got the scope out and tried to get a good look at this falcon.  I do believe this was Beauty.  After 10 minutes, she took off heading east, towards Midtown.  I looked for her and could not find her.  There was no vocalization and she flew strong.

Wednesday, I checked downtown and the surrounding area for close to two hours.  I drove slowly with my windows down listening and checking as much ground area as I could.  Brian H had done this the day before (Tuesday) on foot.  Neither of us had any luck finding her.

Thursday, I arrived downtown on the Broad St Bridge around 3:50 pm.  For two hours, I watched a female falcon hunt the pigeons over the river on either side of the bridge.  She landed in places that Beauty either never landed on or seldom did.  She seemed to be lighter than Beauty and my gut said, this was not Beauty, but I couldn't be sure.  I was never able to get a good look to see if this bird was banded.  I posted my picture album showing all the different places she landed.

Friday.  Late afternoon, Beauty was positively ID'd as the injured falcon picked up and brought in to a local rehabber.  

I just wanted to share what I saw during the week.  Get well soon Beauty.  We all miss you.  

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=RFC To light a candle for our Beauty. I started our own group. She needs us! 

Thanks Donna.  Love this.   

Everyday at Manitou 1,000's of Canada Geese come in and land in the fields around the buildings.  It is so impressive to see them.  Nice pics Ei!

So nice that you ran into your friend and mentor, Big Frank.   

Love the pics of the Eagles.  Thanks of sharing!

Brian says he was sure he saw 3 at once, but I never did.  So, we'll continue to watch and report what we see.   

Just saw on Channel 13 News that tonite the USDA would be starting to attempt to oust the Crows roosting in downtown Rochester.  They're going to start in the Cornhill area, which is just south of the Times Square Bldg.  They'll be using loud sounds, pyrotechnics, lasers and other things. 

They were reporting live from the area and said that 1,000's of Crows were already there, swirling overhead.  They say the downtown Crow roost population is approx. 20,000. 

This is supposed to start between 10 and 11 pm tonite.  We will probably be able to hear it on the live streaming video. 

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/City-To-Begin-Scaring-Away-Crows/rWujC1KV4U-DIEs6F_grBg.cspx

 

I am so glad that you saw them Kris!   

I have to agree.  Looks like a Peregrine to me too!   

Oh, and let's not forget that one of our girls (at the moment I can't remember which one), was found inside a pigeon trap on top of a hospital roof.  Let's just say there were fewer "live" pigeons in their when they released her.  A real Stephen King story for pigeons.   

http://www.times-herald.com/opinion/Falcon-inside-store-saved--2055098 Don't hear about this happening too often!

A falcon shows up in a Walmart shortly after Cornpoppy joins the company. Hmmm...

I forwarded this to Cornpoppy, figuring one of his new job duties might be the head Walmart Falcon Greeter.   

And this of Victoria...

Thanks Penelope!   

Nice pics Kris!