Carol reports that Mariah survived the night. She’s not out of the woods by any means but it’s a hopeful sign. She will be seen by a Veterinarian this morning to check for other injuries and to determine whether she needs surgery. There is some concern about her eyesight but it is too soon to make a determination regarding that yet. Both the rehabbers and Vet have been informed that she may be gravid, or ready to lay eggs. DEC Wildlife Technician Mike Allen has also been in contact with the rehabbers this morning.

In related news, we’ve received more details about the territory battle. It seems that Mariah was attacked by two Peregrines. Carol said that Mariah was brought down to the ground once and went back up. When she fell the second time Carol and Brian moved in to protect her from further attacks which were still being made. It seems likely that their actions saved Mariah’s life, and we’re grateful for their quick thinking and decisiveness.

The rehabbers noted that Mariah had two injuries, one sustained yesterday and another that looked recent. Watchers including Carol, Joyce Miller and Jim P traded notes about their various observations over the holiday weekend, and it seems like Mariah may have last been in command of her territory on Friday. Carol and Joyce reviewed their photos and watch observations from Saturday and both feel confident that the intruding female was at Midtown tower at that time. So Mariah may have sustained her first injury sometime after Noon on Friday, 10 April. As we saw last year and have witnessed at other sites, territory disputes like this can take place over a couple of days. This latest news appears to lend weight to an extended territory battle.

All of this leads to a lot of uncertainty. Since two falcons attacked Mariah on Sunday, could it the new tiercel have worked with the intruder to attack Mariah on Sunday? If the female intruder is the one that has been seen at the Brighton site recently, what happened to Zephyr, who was seen in her company? Unfortunately there are a lot more questions than answers at this point. Doubtless we’ll get some of those answers as time goes on. For now we’re concentrating on Mariah’s treatment and we’re hopeful for her eventual recovery.

I make this report with great regret and a heavy heart. Earlier today, watchers Carol P and Brian H witnessed a fierce territorial battle near Midtown tower between Mariah and a banded female, possibly the falcon that has been staking out a territory in the nearby town of Brighton. During the battle Mariah was seriously wounded in her shoulder. Carol & Brian retrieved her from the street and took her to a local wildlife rehabber where she is receiving care.

This news comes as quite a blow to everyone at the Rochester Falconcam, and I’m sure to all of Mariah’s many fans. We’re hoping for a good outcome, and that Mariah will once again beat the odds, but we are informed that her injuries are quite grave. We’ll keep everyone informed as soon as we learn of any information about her condition.

UPDATE: We’ve received some pictures of Mariah provided by Carol. The first one shows her on the ground following the battle. The other two show her receiving care from the rehabbers.

-Jess