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Quest hasn’t taken any more surprise trips. She’s continuing to stay close to the southeast corner of Cape Cod, making brief forays over the water. It seems she’s taken a liking to Sequetucket Harbor and Monomoy Island as a daytime destination. Many data points from early in the morning show her near South Brewster. It’s possible she’s found an overnight perch there.

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This past Friday, October 10, representatives from the New York DEC and the Rochester Falconcam were on hand for the installation of a nest box on the Powers Building. The Powers Building is at the corner of Main and State Streets, about ½ mile from the Kodak tower. Local falcon fans gathered on the nearby Andrews Street bridge, which provides an unobstructed view of the box. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper published this article describing the event.

           

Rochester Falconcam team member Carol Phillips was on hand for the unveiling of the nest box at its new location, and she brought us these pictures. The view looking north from the observation deck on top of the Powers Building provides an unobstructed line of sight back to the Kodak tower. The nest box will face this way. The DEC believes that will make it easy for Mariah to see the box if she’s perching on the Kodak building, something she likes to do in the fall. The box will also look out onto the Genesee river, and it’s actually closer to the river on the Powers Building than it was on Kodak.

The other two pictures from Carol illustrate the box being installed. The engineering firm of Clough Harbour & Associates LLP, located on the eight^th floor of the Powers Building, designed a sturdy platform for the nest box, and the building’s maintenance team installed it. An interesting new feature of the platform is a ramp that will allow the pre-fledge eyases to climb back into the nest box if necessary.

We want to extend our warmest gratitude to Mark Stevens and everyone at S. B. Ashley Management Corporation, as well as Tom Wolanski and his team at Clough Harbour & Associates, and Rob and the guys on the maintenance crew. Their enthusiastic embrace of this program is greatly appreciated by all of Mariah and Kaver’s fans around the world.

A second nest box is planned to be installed on the Times Square building. The exact date hasn’t yet been worked out by the DEC, but as soon as it happens we’ll let you know!

-Jess

Since our last update, Michael Allen from the New York DEC and members of the Rochester Falconcam Relocation Team have been busy touring some additional sites and moving forward with other related activities. Mike has inspected the nest box that was removed from Kodak, and he’s pronounced it fit for use in a new location.

The team has considered about a dozen sites so far. Some have been rejected because of concerns about human activity nearby, safety of people who might have access the nest site, or physical problems with the building’s layout. Two sites, the Powers Building in downtown Rochester, and the High Falls Brewing Company, look like promising locations. Mike has decided to install the Kodak box on the Powers Building. He and the relocation team are working with the building’s managers to firm up an installation date.

Photo courtesy of Mike Allen
The historic Powers Building isn’t as tall as the Kodak tower, but it has a lot of similarities, including a central tower with a flat area at the top, and plenty of nooks and crannies on the building’s facade. It’s about a half mile from Kodak and close to the river. There’s a good line of sight to Mariah’s former nest site, a desirable feature according to the DEC experts. The building’s owners are enthusiastic about hosting a nest box and they’ve expressed interest in working with the Rochester Falconcam to install cameras too! If we learn that this fall that Mariah has chosen the Powers Building nest box, we should be able to put in cameras later this year, in time for the falcons’ return next spring.

The High Falls Brewing Company is also being considered for a nest box install. There are a few more details to be worked out at that location but we’ve surveyed the site and the Brewery has said they’re willing to host the falcons and to work with us on installing cameras as well. If everyone’s calendars allow, we hope to install nest boxes within the next two weeks. We’ll post more updates when we get the final installation details nailed down.

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We’ve received a number of questions from our viewers about the relocation. Here are a few of them, and their answers.

Q: What are all of the sites that are being considered or investigated for relocation?

A: A total of twelve sites have been considered. Many of them were surveyed, either in person or by using virtual tools available on the internet. The sites and the results of our evaluation are listed below

• Bausch & Lomb: Not contacted
• Button Factory: Contacted, but owner not interested.
• City Hall: Rejected. Pending repairs to the building (similar situation to Kodak tower) will mean that there will be human activity near any nest box.
• Crossroads Bldg: Rejected after remote survey due to equipment on the roof and human use of the balcony just below.
• First Federal Plaza: Rejected. Too much open space on the roof; human activity above the nest box in the old Changing Scenes restaurant; machinery on the restaurant roof may require maintenance during nesting season
• Frontier Communications Tower: Rejected due to difficulty of access and likelihood of human activity/maintenance on the antennas
• High Falls Brewing Co: Live site survey completed. This site is still under consideration, but there are some concerns about the proposed nest box site on the roof being too open (not isolated enough) and possibly subject to human activity nearby.
• High Falls Business Center: Contacted, but owner not interested.
• HSBC: Not contacted
• Powers Building: Approved following live site survey
• Times Square Bldg: UPDATED! This site is being re-evaluated, and will be surveyed this week by the DEC.
• Xerox: Rejected. Construction to start nearby

 

Q: What criteria are being used to evaluate the alternatives and to determine the best locations for a nest box?

A: Some of the factors that have been taken into account include:

• Is the site close to the Genesee River?
• Does it have line of sight to the Kodak tower?
• Is there an isolated place to install the nest box that is free from human activity within 40-50 meters?
• Is the site free from machinery, antennas or other equipment that might require repair during the nesting season?
• Is the site free from hazards to the falcons?
• Does the site provide protection from the weather?
• Does the site have architectural features such as ledges and niches that replicate the peregrine’s natural habitat?
• Are the building owners/managers enthusiastic about hosting a Peregrine nest box?

None of these (except possibly the last one) are show-stoppers on their own– All factors will be considered for each site when deciding on its suitability as a nest box location.

 

Q: Has the team confirmed if they are still considering putting up several nest boxes and how many?

A: One site has been confirmed, and there are a couple of others still under consideration.

 

Q: We know that Kaver and the fledglings have been spotted at the Brewery but how often does Mariah go there? Will we have to wait until Kaver comes back from vacation to see which site he chooses? If the nest box(es) are installed soon and Mariah prefers one over the other, will that be cool with Kaver or is he the deciding factor here?

A: In the wild the male will typically select a few possible nesting spots, but it is the female who chooses which one to use from year to year. The DEC has informed us that the presence or absence of an adult or juveniles perching at a particular location isn’t a reliable indicator of whether it will make a good nesting site. Whether Mariah perches on the Brewery buildings or not isn’t really part of the calculation. We’re more interested in the site’s logistics like its proximity to water, isolation from human contact, height, and so on. If Kaver arrives in the spring to find Mariah using a box at the Brewery then we can be pretty sure that’s where the nest will be. Similarly if they choose a box before Kaver leaves for the winter, it’s likely that’s the one that will be used in the spring.

-Jess

It’s been a while since we’ve posted news about the relocation of Mariah’s nest box. You may recall that this past June Kodak announced that it would need to remove the nest box in order to avoid harm to Mariah, her offspring, or the dozens of workers who will be restoring the deteriorating masonry on the Kodak tower over the next three years. Kodak is working with the Rochester Falconcam and the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation to maximize the chance of a successful relocation.

Last week we took the first step in the process. Falconcam team members fal-Kenn Martinez and Jim Pisello were on hand to supervise and assist as a special team hired by Kodak disconnected the nest box from the steel brackets that held it against the Kodak tower for over a decade. Jim has posted a heartfelt account of the removal activity on his blog, Peregrinations.

The Rochester Falconcam’s Nest Box Relocation team has been busy touring some potential relocation sites. A couple we’ve seen so far are the First Federal Plaza and the High Falls Brewing Company. In the next couple of weeks we hope to tour several more, but the team is still engaged in discussions with a number of property owners, and the DEC must certify the sites for their fitness to host a nest box.

It may seem that the pace of the relocation is a little slow, but things are progressing as fast as we can move them in light of the busy schedules of those involved in the relocation, and the many complexities of this important project. We’re happy to report that we’re still on schedule to begin installing new nest boxes in a couple of weeks, though no date has yet been announced. The biologists at the DEC tell us we still have plenty of time to get the boxes in place, so we’re looking forward to taking the next steps to erect a couple of new penthouses for Mariah to choose as the nursery for her family in 2009 and beyond.

-Jess

Fledge Watcher and Rochester Falconcam team member Carol Phillips kicks off our 2008 Gallery at Imprints with a terrific shot of Seneca adding some roughage to her diet after consuming a pigeon earlier this week. She wasn’t really going vegan on us– Peregrines are pretty strict carnivores– but it’s a fun image don’t you think?

The breakfast left-overs are visible in the lower right corner of the image– don’t look there if you’re squeamish!

-Jess

Once again we’d like to invite our local fledge watchers to submit pictures they’ve taken of Mariah, Kaver or this year’s great group of fledglings, to the 2008 Gallery at Imprints! Every few days we’ll host a new picture on the Rochester Falconcam’s home page, and we’ll provide details about the photo and the photographer here. And just like last year, we’ll feature the gallery images in the 2009 Rochester Falconcam Calendar.

To get started, just review our Submission Guidelines!

The Rochester Falconcam wants to thank the many talented photographers whose images help bring the wonder and excitement of the Rochester peregrines to our viewers around the world.

-Jess

Hopefully everyone has been following the fledglings’ antics at our FalconWatch blog. Our on-site team of watchers have provided over fifty updates so far. There are still a couple of weeks to go before the young Peregrines start moving away from the Rochester area, so keep checking the FalconWatch blog for more news in the coming days.

Our falcon relocation experts, the DEC’s Mike Allen and Barbara Loucks believe that our chances for a successful relocation are quite high, provided that we install a nest box in a location that’s within a few blocks of the current site, and that the location is one that is already familiar to the falcons. Interestingly, it doesn’t appear that we’ll need to install a lot of nest boxes– one or two boxes should be sufficient. A few Falconcam fans have made some independent inquiries and they’ve received the same information.

The Rochester Falconcam’s Nest Box Relocation Team has identified a few sites where we can place nest boxes. Led by Barbara Loucks, head biologist and manager of the statewide avian programs at the New York DEC’s Endangered Species Unit, the plan is now to install a small number of nest boxes at locations that appear to be well-suited as potential nesting sites. We’re currently working with property owners in the area to obtain the permission needed to install the nest boxes (and hopefully the Rochester Falconcam cameras too!).

Though we’ve turned off the Rochester Falconcam’s cameras, work has not yet begun on the repairs at the Kodak tower, and the nest box is still in place. We plan to remove this nest box and re-install it at the site that is likely to be accepted by Mariah and Kaver. Other nest boxes will be placed in a locations that also meets the requirements of the DEC. As the work progresses we’ll keep you updated.

-Jess

The opening night Gala for the Rochester Falcons art show at the High Falls Art Gallery was a terrific success! Our many guests included fans of Mariah and Kaver from around the country, as well as New York State Senator Joe Robach. We also had a couple of very special guests– Falconer and raptor artist Al Jordan joined us with Kai, his Harris Hawk!

After a wonderful 2008 nesting season we’ve seen all five of this year’s eyases– Seneca, Diamante, Quest, Zephyr and Susan B– take to the skies of Rochester and fledge successfully. Our computer servers have captured and stored many thousands of images, and space is getting short. Since the falcons have largely left the nest box, and we are preparing to transition the camera equipment and nest box, we’ll be turning off the Rochester Falconcam’s cameras on Monday, July 7^th. We’ll continue to bring you information from our on-scene volunteer watchers at the FalconWatch Blog throughout the summer. And of course, we’ll keep you up to date on all the news here at Imprints.

The Falconcam site will remain active throughout the year so that we can bring you news of Quest’s travels via her solar-powered backpack transmitter. We’ve been informed by the satellite monitoring agency that her signals are being received, and we’re preparing the website so that we can show you where she goes. We’ll begin posting updates for Quest in a few weeks, as soon as she leaves the area. Look for updates to occur at intervals of roughly a week.

Our nest box relocation committee is already hard at work, contacting local property owners and making initial surveys for possible nest sites. We’ll be working with the project leaders for the renovations at the Kodak tower on the actual date that we’ll take down the nest box. We plan to reinstall the “Kodak” box at one of the relocation sites, and to install several others as well. We’ll keep everyone updated on the progress of this important work throughout the coming months.

We’re very excited about some new Rochester Falconcam merchandise that we’ll be showcasing at our new online store. Look for more news about that soon. We’ll also be announcing some upcoming opportunities for our viewers and fans to contribute to the story of Mariah and Kaver so stay tuned!

-Jess

Early this morning our on-site fledge watchers reported that Seneca took her first flight! With that, all five of the 2008 eyases have fledged, bringing to 43 the total number of fledglings produced by Mariah at the Rochester site in eleven years. It’s a remarkable feat that’s unmatched by any other site that we’re aware of!

You can read updates about Seneca and the other fledglings from Lisa McKeown and Carol Phillips in our FalconWatch blog!

-Jess

For the second year, the Gallery at High Falls will exhibit art and photographs featuring the Peregrine falcons of Rochester.

There will be an opening night gala on Saturday, 28 June 2008 from 5:00-7:00 PM. The gala is sponsored by the Genesee Valley Audubon Society and the Rochester Falconcam. The exhibit will run throughout the summer.

We will showcase amazing photography by our local falcon watchers, along with sculpture, drawings and paintings by artists who love the Peregrine Falcon.

The gala is open to the public, and there’s no dress code — come as you wish. A $15 donation from our guests is suggested, and we’ll serve terrific hors d’oeuvres from the Triphammer Grill, as well as a cash bar featuring a selection of our great New York State wines.

We hope to see you there and we’re looking forward to another great opening!

-Jess

If you missed our recent Fledge Watcher Orientation meeting, don’t despair! You can still participate.

First, download and print a copy of our 2008 Fledge Watch Brochure. The brochure provides an overview of information that you need to be a successful fledge watcher. It includes a list of contact numbers, recommended fledge watching gear and instructions for how to rescue a downed fledgling.

Next, check out the Fledge Watch Calendar. Fledge watch shifts are available from 7AM to 9PM every day from now through mid-July. You can sign up for as many or as few shifts as you want. We request that shifts be two hours in duration or more, but whatever amount of time you can volunteer will be greatly appreciated! And don’t worry if you see that someone else has signed on to the same time you’d like to watch. The more watchers we have out at one time, the better we can cover all the ground once the fledglings start really flying.

When you decide on which shift(s) you’d like to take, send an email to Lisa McKeown, our Fledge Watch Coordinator. You can reach her at either of the following addresses:
gladyshall@gmail.com or
sponsorship@rfalconcam.com

Be sure to include your name and the dates & times for the shift or shifts you’re interested in filling. And to make it easy for Lisa to pick out your email from all the rest, be sure to include the words “Fledge Watch” in the subject line.

While you’re looking at the calendar, take a moment to browse the other pages at the Rochester Falconcam’s FalconWatch Blog. We’ve included helpful guidelines for posting your fledge watch reports and using the FledgeWatch blog. You won’t be able to post your report on the FalconWatch blog until you’ve been accepted as an author at the blog. We’ll send you a username and password that will allow you to post your fledge watch reports.

Finally, have fun! Fledge Watching provides a rare opportunity to see one of nature’s true marvels up close, and to help ensure the safety of the fledglings. You’ll most likely find a group of “regulars” nearby who’ll be happy to walk you through the basics, so come one come all, and join the 2008 Fledge Watch!

-Jess