I am hardly the expert as to Finger Lakes wildlife. In fact, most frequently my indications that interesting wildlife is in the area involve me pointing and shrieking "bunny!" with childlike glee. There are a few species here and there I am able to identify without consulting Audubon, including the occasional bird. Most commonly you'll see crows, robins, sparrows, even seagulls (which baffles me since we are nowhere near the sea) - but one of Rochester's prides is the Peregrine falcon.
Peregrines are native to regions other than the Finger Lakes, so what makes them so special to Rochester? In 1995 Kodak, whose headquarters is located in its hometown of Rochester, placed a nest box on their office building to simulate the cliff faces that Peregrines normally call home. It was not until 1998 that the first falcons nested, but ever since they have been sort of been sort of mini-celebrities - largely due to the
web-cams that have been
streaming live since then.
The Falcon-Cam is not just a gimmick but rather a quiet way to show the birds in their natural state. The
Kodak falcons have become ambassadors for the species, with educational materials offered to teach kids or any other interested parties more about the Peregrine falcon.
Throughout the year, I confess the public tends to forget about the falcons - hey, they leave us alone, we leave them alone (well, with the exception of 24-hour surveillance. Anyway). But we get psyched out again come spring, when the babies hatch.
This is Beauty, the proud mama of these two little guys (who seem to be eagerly devouring a less fortunate feathered friend) who just hatched yesterday. As it turns out, a baby falcon is called an eyas. I learned something new today, how about you?
While the Kodak falcons are not as obviously a Rochester/Finger Lakes institution as some other things, the fact that we have this little habitat tucked up amongst the cityscape speaks to me as to the determination and innovation of Rochesterians to preserve wildlife by safely offering it a new habitat.
