LATEST NEWS – Page 201 – Utica Peregrine Falcons

Another Active Day for Our Falcons

Over the past week, Ares has been arriving at the nest box quite early in the morning and usually well before sunrise. This morning he arrived at 5:45 AM. Astrid landed on the north face of the State Building at precisely the same time. Today the pair mated twice and attempted to at least two other times. Ares brought food to Astrid three times, the last time she didn’t take it because she was obviously already full (she had a huge crop). Astrid was away from the canyon for a few hours in the afternoon and early evening. During this time Ares seemed to be anxiously awaiting her return. He called for her frequently and watched from several different lookout points. Finally at close to 7:00 PM she returned to the fold. Both came to the box and Ares tried first to give her a Starling and then when she refused it, he tried to entice her into a ledge display. That didn’t happen either. Soon after, both went off to their night perches. Good night falcons!

Ares tries to interest his mate in a third course

Ares gives up trying to tempt Astrid and leaves the prey on a ledge

IMG_0179 (1) — Astrid showing a very full crop

Falcons Back in the Swing of Things

It was another very cold day in the downtown canyon. By all appearances, Astrid and Ares weren’t as put out by it as they were on Saturday. In fact they mated on the State Building in the early morning when the temperature was still only in the single digits. Later in the day, Ares brought at least one if not two food tributes to Astrid (one she may have caught herself). She was seen feeding on the hotel ledge while he kept a close watch. After she was done, Ares had his share. The pair took part in a late day ledge display at the nest box. Lately their ledge displays have been very long and have involved much beaking, but not much dancing or bowing.

Ares spent a lot of time in the nest box today – guarding it and encouraging Astrid to come over

Astrid feeds on the hotel ledge while Ares keeps lookout

A late day ledge display features much beaking behavior

Ares prepares to dive out of the box after their display

Astid surveys her downtown domain from the nest box

Very Cold and Windy Weather Today, But the Falcons are Still Thinking of Spring

Astrid and Ares had to put up with some nasty weather today. Low temperatures, high winds and dense snow squalls persisted throughout the day. Ares wasn’t seen giving his mate any food tributes today, nor were any matings observed, which represents a break in their recent pattern. However, the pair did share three long ledge displays at the nest box.