~Buffalo Falcon News 2010~

[Donna]

Hmmm, I think people here need to rate Rfalconcam.

http://www.earthcam.com/search/ft_search.php?s1=1&term=rochester&x=38&y=12

I totally agree....did you see some of those cams??? What's up with that?

Oh and I just gave it a 5  rating

[~Sage~]

We spotted the grain elevator pefa this afternoon but there was not a chance of a leg shot!

[Joyce]

Buffalo Watch Report - Saturday April 17

I stayed over in Buffalo on Friday night, and checked out the Grain Elevators (GE), Central Terminal (CT) and UB the next morning.

It was mostly a tiercel watch in Buffalo. I started with GE.  You have to be very patient there if you want to see any falcons. I must have waited an hour to confirm they were there. It was very cold and windy, so I sat in my car.  Finally I saw the male flying. Then there were two. They did a little flying and talon-tagging together.  It didn't last long and they both disappeared on the south side of the building.  That's where I saw tail feathers on a ledge where they were sunning themselves on a nice 70 degree on Apr 1st.  I walked over to check and there was no sign of them.

There are so many easy-access openings into this building. It is surprising that peregrines are going inside the building, because they aren't cavity nesters. The fact that these two were seen flying together doesn't seem like behavior of peregrines who are incubating eggs.  Only time will tell.  I doubt the DEC would be able to band any young here. 

This site fascinates me and worries me at the same time. It will be a challenge for any fledglings.  The location is at the opening to Lake Erie and there is lots of water.  There is a break wall across the channel with a lighthouse. There aren't many low level buildings in the area, and to the south there are 7 windmills.

Then I headed over to the Central Terminal.  I ran into someone from the DEC checking on CT and she told me there were 4 eggs in the nestbox.  Boy the DEC is going to have their hands full at banding time in Buffalo this year!!   The male was up on one of the columns near the top of the building; never saw the female.

Then I headed over to UB.  The DEC was there checking that site out too. They left, and then I heard kakking.  The male came in with prey and landed higher up on the building.  I watched as he cleaned and ate his meal.  I wasn't dressed for the cold, so I left without seeing the female, but at least she is on camera.

[~Sage~]

Which is your favorite site, Joyce?  Amazing, isn't it, to have so many pefa sites? 

Today at the grain elevators, we saw this one flying in and it did appear to be in the previously seen observation post.  I think the DEC will be checking this site out in the near future.

[Donna]

BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) - While there are no tenants inside the Statler towers in downtown Buffalo, some outside dwellers remain.

Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife biologist Connie Adams says Peregrine Falcons have been nesting at the top of the Statler for many years now. And even though the future of the building remains uncertain, the Peregrines continue to make the structure their home.

Adams says there are seven known nesting pairs in the Buffalo area. She says Peregrines continue to return to the same nesting spot year after year.

Another set settled into a building on UB's South Campus. The falcons are waiting for three eggs to hatch. Adams has been working along with the UB staff and the Buffalo Audubon Society in keeping watch. UB gained approval to install a nesting box at MacKay Tower because it is a historic landmark. A web cam was also added.

But the Audubon Society had to remove its falcon web cam at the Statler. So anyone who wants to view their activity will have to revert to less modern means -- binoculars, telephoto camera lens or telescope.

[~Sage~]

Yes, like we did yesterday with a scope from the Rand Building!   




And this shot when the male finally returned to the grain elevators yesterday!

We're sitting on pins and needles here too, but I just caught the "changing of the guard" at UB and there are still three eggs.


Connie just rang - DEC can't get in to check the Statler nest so can we go to the Rand again!  Off we go!

[~Sage~]

Breaking news!  Statler pefas still have four eggs!  We caught the changing of the guard and a clear view.  Hatching should be any time now.  All the nests will be checked tomorrow.

[Joyce]

Sage - did you happen to see yellow tape on the male when it landed at the grain elevators, or was it too far away?

[Donna]

Breaking news!  Statler pefas still have four eggs!  We caught the changing of the guard and a clear view.  Hatching should be any time now.  All the nests will be checked tomorrow.

  How cool...thanks

[~Sage~]

Sage - did you happen to see yellow tape on the male when it landed at the grain elevators, or was it too far away?

 Oh, Joyce, the bird didn't comply with our wishes, and perched well beyond our reach.  This is the shot Roger got with the long lens, equivalent to 1600mm, on 3 MP, and cropped.  You're familiar with this building and its position.    This bird continually plays games with us, by perching on three different sides!  Maybe four, but we'd need a boat to know that!  

More on my blog later!  And news of any hatchings will be posted late Wednesday or Thursday.

[~Sage~]

 Statler nest today - Are there five eggs?

[Joyce]

 Statler nest today - Are there five eggs?

Can't tell...but it sure looks like a lotta eggs in that nest!

[~Sage~]

Wow!  We have FIVE EGGS at Central Terminal!   

And, what's this at UB?  A pip or just something stuck on the egg?

   

Other news:  one pefa seen in the Niagara Gorge but nest not seen. 

[Joyce]

Wow!  We have FIVE EGGS at Central Terminal!   

And, what's this at UB?  A pip or just something stuck on the egg?

   

Other news:  one pefa seen in the Niagara Gorge but nest not seen. 

One good thing...there are no trains at the terminal to get in the way of fledging.  But it is going to be an interesting time in Buffalo.  Looks like something on the side of the egg to me.

[Donna]

Wow!  We have FIVE EGGS at Central Terminal!   

And, what's this at UB?  A pip or just something stuck on the egg?

   

Other news:  one pefa seen in the Niagara Gorge but nest not seen. 

5 EGGS!!! Good Grief...and Good luck. That's a  lot of eyas's..