Can Peregrine Falcons Swim?

This question was answered during my Fledge Watch on Saturday, July 14th. Many Falcon Watchers were on hand to watch Grace land on the edge of the island below the pedestrian bridge. At first she tentatively walked into the Genesee River. As Grace became more comfortable, she walked out a little further and started to bathe, by flapping her wings and splashing water over her body. That’s when it got really interesting.
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Sacajawea Chases a Mystery Bird

We returned to the river gorge this evening to check on the Rochester Falcons. We saw a few bird chases and one food transfer while we were there. There were also some Great Blue Herons and a handsome buck in the gorge. These are some of the pics that I snapped. Note: If anybody can identify the bird that Sacajawea is chasing in this album, please comment with an ID.

Thanks,

Lou

Lucky Noon Hour Watch

Well, where do I begin? Watchers during the noon hour included Jim P, Shaky, Dan S, Larry O, Kelly, Susan C and me. It was a little chilly, with the sun coming in and out from behind the clouds, but it felt very refreshing, almost fall-like.

For the noon hour we had Linn & Grace flying around the gorge, harassing gulls, a cormorant, ducks, etc (the usual suspects). Most of the time Linn and Grace spent their time on the small building on the island below the pedestrian bridge and the wire that crosses the river.
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Linn, Grace, and Ananta go, “Hmmph!”

I took a vacation day today, so Dana and I stopped out to the bridge this morning. We had all 4 juvies in the gorge. Here’s some pictures that I snapped.

Lou

Click the image above to see the full-sized picture

Jim Pisello brings us this picture of Grace chasing one of her sisters near the High Falls. He reported that she spent most of the noon hour on July 2^nd flying through the Genesee river gorge, and put on quite a show for the many fans who turned out to watch all the action.

Look for more pictures and videos in the Gallery at Imprints in the coming days. If you have pictures or videos of the Rochester falcons that you’d like to submit, check out our submission guidelines.

What a great Fledge Watch today! Watchers included Shaky, Barb, Lynda (and her husband), Lisa McK, Larry O, Susan C and me. I passed Jim P on my way out. He had taken an early lunch.

I made my way out to the east end of the pedestrian bridge and was informed that 3 juvies were sitting on the shady tree along the east side of the gorge wall. When the breeze shifted the branches, you could easily see all three of them.
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Falcon fan Patrick Vitalone sent an email to let us know about some great flying that he witnessed high above the streets of downtown Rochester on July 10. We thought you’d like to read it too:

Jess,
I work in Xerox Square on the 24th Floor facing the HSBC building (I face East).

This morning, for the last half hour, we have been treated to a show with all 6 falcons flying between the Xerox Tower and the HSBC Tower. This has included some very close swing-bys at the windows– close enough to see the bands on the legs. All 4 fledges can be seen with both parents. We have seen some incredible loops and playing between them all. And the NOISE! The calls can be heard clearly as they sing back and forth….if only I had a camera!

You can tell that Mariah and Kaver are giving some lessons in diving and soaring as the activity is high and rapid. The funny thing is that during this time of the day we often see flocks of pigeons around HSBC…..not one can be seen this morning.

What a treat….and what great seats!

Just thought I would share this.

Regards,
Patrick Vitalone

It was a very warm day today, but that didn’t stop the Falcon Watchers from heading out to the pedestrian bridge overlooking the High Falls. At noon we spotted all four juvies and Kaver. During my 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. watch, Sacajawea was cruising around the gorge. I’ve put together a Kodak EasyShare Gallery Album which includes pictures from today’s watches.

Click the image above to see the full-sized picture

Photographer Gary Chadwick took this stunning action shot of Sacajawea on July 5th. Gary reports that Sacajawea had just finished overflying the pedestrian bridge and made a landing on one of the High Falls Brewing Co. buildings. She rested there for a short time, then joined her sisters for more flying in the gorge.

Look for more pictures and videos in the Gallery at Imprints in the coming days. If you have pictures or videos of the Rochester falcons that you’d like to submit to the Gallery, check out our submission guidelines.

Dana and I headed out to the bridge after a quick swing by Braddock Bay this morning. The day was overcast and, at one point, the watchers at the bridge had to sit out a good rainstorm. When the rain let up, a bunch of us went to the Dinosaur Barbecue for some lunch. We returned to the gorge after the rain had let up, but it was still a overcast. These are some pictues that I took today.

Lou