Good points, Janet.  I've often wondered whether the presence of large numbers of people with binoculars, cameras, cell phones, and radios might deter crime to some extent.  Maybe someone could make a case for the falcon watchers as an asset -- sort of a Neighborhood Watch Association.

Paul

Hi, Beauty!



Paul

Catherine has named it Dragon.

Paul

Catherine has been taking good care of the Venus Flytrap she got for Christmas.  Up until recently, it has been dormant in the garage, but it has now responded to the approach of Spring.  She went out to catch flies for it yesterday, and here is the result:

Paul

Dale,

Congradulations to your cousin!  It's an important message, and the trailer was wonderful.

Paul

Have a great birthday!

Paul

My daughter Catherine brought this to my attention this morning:


Paul

You can do some decent home improvement work with just your feet.  No beaking required. Let Riverside Dad show you how:

http://www.palemale.com/march22010.html

Paul

Your Great Room is, well, great!
I'll bet that fireplace has been getting lots of use this winter.

Paul

Beauty digs out after the snow storm.




Paul

Cooperative breeding has been observed among peregrines fairly often, it seems..http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1642/0004-8038%282003%29120%5B0717%3AOAEOCB%5D2.0.CO%3B2?journalCode=tauk

This table from the above reference lists them as regularly breeding cooperatively, and notes that the extra, or "helper" bird is a juvenile.  Evisently, not only to the young sometimes stay with the parents for a long time, but they also help raise the next brood when they do.
 http://www.bioone.org/action/showFullPopup?doi=10.1642%2F0004-8038%282003%29120%5B0717%3AOAEOCB%5D2.0.CO%3B2&id=i0004-8038-120-3-717-t02

Paul

So what is the current falcon scorecard?

1  Beauty (seen today on cam)
2  Unbanded tiercel (seen today on cam)
3  Unknown subadult (photographed today by Dana)
4  Mariah (not seen for a while, but probably somewhere in the area
5  Archer (not seen since last year, but possibly returning)


Anyone else?

Paul

Looks like the Rochester falcon season may have started...





Paul

Recent research shows that the population of Red Knots is reduced within 6 km of peregrine nest sites.  Virginia's Center for Conservation Biology has removed several of their nesting towers in critical Red Knot areas.

http://www.ccb-wm.org/news/2009_SeptDec/conservation_conflict.html

Paul

Beauty continues to visit the nest area.  Here she is yesterday morning:



How long before we have two falcons in the picture?

Paul