Kris G. wrote:
carly wrote:
Sorry for going on and on with my posts but I get a frustrated when I think people can't think outside the box and try to compare apples and oranges.
Birds that nested in the wild 40 years ago dealt with different challenges than birds that nest in cities today so what's in those old birding books needs to be rewritten to acommodate for 'urban' falcons. Also, in Canada alone in the last decade - we've lost 30% of our small bird population and there are many different raptors that compete for food here in the cities. And having to worry about cougars and wild animals coming upon your nest doesn't exist for our urban falcons so very different environments to adjust too.
Then there is the comparing of long time established pairs against new parents or younger parents. I've read about all the great pairs. When they first started nesting in cities, populations were low of competing falcons and they weren't on cams early on so by the time we saw alot of them they were quite experienced. I'm sure they had their challenges in the first few years too before they went on to be 'legendary'.
Anyway..getting off soap box now.
I'm not saying that tiercels should do all the hunting -just tired of all the DC accolades with no credit as to what a great mom Beauty is. Beauty did lots of hunting for Orion last year when DC was spending time with Pigott and hunted for Jemison and Callidora. With so much adversities in her life, she remains extremely strong in every way. We also know the DC/Beauty relationship is not the strongest, most trusting union and the heat is a big factor now. I believe the nest box temperature reading comes from the Rochester airport.
Kris, I'm sorry if I haven't stated how much I love Beauty and think she is an EXCELLENT mother and provider. If I haven't given her dual credit, shame on me. I think she is one strong, beautiful falcon. I love her personality. I love the way she interacts with her eyasses (I've only seen her with Orion and these 3). I never did get to watch her much with Archer. I felt so sorry for her in 2011 with the failed nest. She has been through so much and she is a survivor. She is a force to be reckoned with.
I'm also sorry if I seem to be a little slanted towards DC. I like his personality also. I don't like to see how their seasons start, but do like how they finish! I feel like DC doesn't get credit and gets knocked all the time because he does attempt to dual nest. No, it's not anything I personally like, but I can't control it. He's going to do what is in his nature. I guess when I read chat & some reports, it always seems to me it's perceived that he's a failure, or that something is wrong with him.
When the unbanded tiercel came in 2 weeks ago, I had the sense some were happy that DC may be gone. I'm sure most won't admit to that. And maybe I didn't understand the tone.. It seemed lots of people were "happy" that maybe the UT that Beauty was being courted by before DC's return was back. And then, there were so many who kept dwelling on "whose egg is it". I don't know. I know it is my problem, my looking at things with a certain slant.
I think both Beauty & DC are carrying their share this year. From what I can tell, he's been spending almost all his time in DT. And this has been Beauty's most successful clutch, so something must be working right for these two.
So again, I'm sorry if I haven't given Beauty her fair share. Quite honestly, I was so amazed at the job Beauty did 2 weeks ago dealing with the intruder and her loyalty. I honestly think she was instrumental in driving the UT out of the territory.
I worry about both Beauty and DC when they are away for longer than normal. I always feel I'm on edge at this site because I don't know what the next "threat" will be, or who will show up on deck. Strange, but true.
So, please know, going forward, if I haven't provided equal coverage to Beauty, I will definitely pay closer attention and acknowledge the wonderful falcon she is!
No need to apologize. I know that DC is Carly's bird even though he's our resident male now and that she's an influencing member of this forum therefore favoritism has leaned towards DC. I love all Peregrines but my favorite is Beauty just as many here have their own favorites. I watch chat talk many times during the day and when the unbanded tiercel came in, the conversation did sometimes favor UT but I think it was a time when many thought DC was gone and people, knowing Beauty now had eggs and potential eyases, had to think out of the box. What was the best case scenario? Wish DC was alright and would be back to where he was or realistically hope that things worked out with the new tiercel and that he would accept the father role. Everything was so chaotic as we never imagined that anything was going to happen to either parent but this is Rochester and, as you said, always on the edge. But I also have read many times on chat and rfalconcam what a great dad DC is and how he's changed this year. DC is not afraid of Beauty and she knows it. How many tiercels turned mates started out in the season with endless swooping on the female. I don't think anyone has ever seen this before and this is after having Orion together last year! Strange indeed! it's unfortunate for Pigott that she has no babies this year but I guess for Beauty,DC and these babies, it turned out for the best. Pigott seems to have something going on with her life because many times, watchers aren't seeing her in Brighton. There are days she is there and then there are days she isn't. We really don't know how many times DC is going there during the day but he does seem to be DT much more this year than last. Anyway, things have worked out today, DC is OK and the eyases are going to be a handful for their parents in the coming weeks as was evidenced today in your videos. Should be interesting!
By the way, if anyone is interested, Rochester has an annual Watchers Weekend where people from near and far get together in Rochester to meet, talk, eat and do some Falcon watching. I've gone for a few years now and it's really fun!
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