Young Falcons Take Their First Flights

By Peter Iglinski

Rochester, NY – Rochester's newest falcons are now fledglings.

Jemision successfully took her first flight Saturday morning. And late Monday afternoon, her sister, Callidora, flew to the nearby Wilder Building.

Jemison and Callidora hatched in the nesting box on the Times Square Building this spring.

Falcon-watchers have been gathering at the corner of Broad Street and Exchange Boulevard to watch the excitement and to lend a hand, if necessary.

Dan Stiehler says the watchers try to make sure sure the young ones don't wind up on the pavement. Stiehler says fledglings don't know how to land and may come in at 60 mph. Stiehler says if a young falcon winds up on the pavement and is not injured, the watchers will try to return it to the falcon box.

While the DEC has officially categorized Jemison as a female, many falcon-watchers are convinced "she" is actually a "he" because she is significantly smaller in size.