The Canadian Peregrine Foundation

Sunday June 30, 2002
Tom Moreau and Diane Brockman report:  At 18:35, we observed a juvenile flying low over the park, just above tree-top level.  He circled and headed toward Humberview Chev.  Later, he returned to view, this time accompanied by one of his brothers.  The pair patrolled the park and the river, obviously enjoying their new-found flying skills.  It was surprising to see them that low to the ground.

Thursday June 27, 2002
Joan Boardman reports:  The Fledgling Watch at the Etobicoke nest site started on Wednesday, June 5th and ended June 17th.  This year we have been fortunate to have many of our supporters from previous years joining us once again as volunteers for the "Watch" period.  We expected June 5th as 'flight day' for at least one of our boys but instead we had to wait until June 7th at 5.05 pm - without any warning #1 flew overboard and was joined by Angel and Marco who guided him to safety. Good strong flight and we all breathed a sigh of relief that all went well. At 6.30 am next day #2 took flight, and a short time later at 8.45 am #3 left the nest ledge, so our volunteers surrounding the Clarica Centre had the worry and excitement to see three youngsters with Mother and Father performing in the skies above them. They all fluttered along gaining confidence and learning the tricks of landing in a safe place. All 3 were strong and in a short few hours were performing exceptionally well under the guidance of both parents.

#4, the youngest, named Etienne, proved to have a mind of his own - he just was not ready to join his brothers.  They flew in and out of the nest ledge coaxing him to follow, but to no avail! Angel and Marco tried passing by with food, but Etienne remained firm in his refusal! Finally, after all their efforts, Angel and Marco together paid him a visit (this is unusual) - Marco on one side of the nest and Angel perched on the side of the nest - they appeared to be reading him the 'riot act', but Etienne flattened himself down in the nest as far as he could and turned his little head up, and I swear he said in no uncertain terms "I'M NOT GOING" !!!! He started to annoy Angel by nipping at her talons which were gripping the nest and she gave up and flew off in disgust, Marco following. He was just not ready to fly. When I arrived at 5.15 am the next day he was gone!  No witnesses, but happy to report he made it on his own. Etienne has his own way of doing things, always a little apart from his three older brothers, but he has proved himself to be just as graceful in the air, and able to take care of himself. The four juveniles already at the start of their training have been able to retrieve a package of food from a parent in flight and transfer to one another.  Sometimes the 'prize' proves to be a bit heavy and it is dropped, but they seem to be enjoying the game. Spectators in and around the buildings of the Clarica Centre have been amazed at the aerobatics of all four. One slight mishap did occur during the first couple of days after "Arrow" took flight - he ended up on the lower roof of the Centre, but did not suffer any injury, so he was left to wander around and discover watching people watching him, seemingly enjoying the thrill he was giving the audience a close-up of a rare bird!  Even a helicopter overhead with the crew from Japan's N.H.K. filming the Etobicoke Falcons, did not bother him. Tired of the lower level, he finally took to the air and landed on the 15th Floor of the Kingsway on the Park condominium - found himself stranded on the outer edge of a resident's balcony, and spent the night there. Morning he took off over to the Bell building, but was chased off by crows - this too did not upset him - he lived through these trials and is now back in the fold learning with his brothers to be a free spirit.

Our team of volunteers have been exceptional in their support of tracking and reporting the movements of these four falcons and have made these long days a pleasure to belong to such a dedicated group of people. Of course there is still a week or two of careful monitoring, but with the help of the office staff in the buildings, I'm sure we will have the survival of all four falcons.

Wednesday June 26, 2002
Tom Moreau and Diane Brockman report:  At around 19:00, we were treated to an exhilarating display of aerobatics, the likes of which we have never seen.  Three of the chicks were actively involved in mock aerial combat, swoops, dives, knife-edge turns, resembling those of high-performance fighter jets at air shows.  They clearly enjoyed the maneuvers and so did we.  We figured, based on past performance, that a thunderstorm was imminent and we were correct.  We don't know what it is that stimulates falcons to put on such wonderful displays prior to a thunderstorm but they are most welcome.

Sunday June 23, 2002
Sandra Hawkins reports:  In spite of the heat and high humidity yesterday afternoon (June 23), the Clarica Centre Peregrines were very active. Upon our arrival at about 3:30pm, Angel flew north over us and disappeared from view between the centre and west towers. Shortly afterward, we found two youngsters resting on a shady northeasterly facing ledge on the west tower. With a great deal of vocalizing, one youngster took off  when another Peregrine appeared over the centre tower. Much of the next hour was filled with multiple flights, often with four birds in the air at once. We did not have our telescope with us, so we were unable to read band numbers. Three youngsters flew together in "chase and tumble" mode. Marco then joined one youngster on a shady (north easterly) ledge of the west tower just before we left.

Friday June 21, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  The lack of news over the past week is an indication that the four fledglings continue to do well, and the annual Fledgling Watch has wrapped up for the year.  For the first time in the history of the site, none of the youngsters required any rescues, and we hope that this tradition will continue for years to come.  Meanwhile, for those who remember the misadventures of Windwhistler from the spring of 1998, visit theToronto 2002 gallery (and scroll down to the "Spring 2002" section) for a new photo of him as a full adult.

Wednesday June 12, 2002
Baylie Kastner reports:  Just came in from the rain. At about 5.30 am the two chicks sleeping on the south ledge of the nest building took off for a spin. They seem to be flying well.  There was some flapping in the corner of the nest ledge  - didn't observe anyone leaving but have not been able to see anyone there since. There is a chick on the middle ledge (just to the right of the nest ledge) who is acting strangely like Etienne - just hanging around, tail sometimes over the edge. I wonder if with the very poor light earlier he could have moved over

7:15 am. Further to my message above - Joan Boardman just phoned to say that Brian Tjernstrom has accounted for all six birds - none of which are on the nest ledge. I guess Etienne sneaked off in the poor light. I definitely did see flapping on the nest ledge when I first went out.

Sandra Hawkins reports:  This afternoon and evening, the family provided some great entertainment with many practice flights (including a brotherly game of mid air "tag") and at least three feeding sessions. Bob and I stayed until 10:05PM. At that time, Angel and one chick were on the south ledge (to the left of the nest ledge), two chicks were on the nest ledge and one chick was alone atop the southwest corner of the east condo (Etienne?). Marco's location was unknown.

Tuesday June 11, 2002
Sandra Hawkins reports:  As of 9:15PM, Etienne had still not flown. At this time, two chicks were on the ledge to the left of the camera and one was on the ledge to the right of it. Marco was on the roof of the east side of the nest building. Angel flew by just before that time, but could not be seen when all watchers left for the evening.

Monday June 10, 2002
Baylie Kastner reports:  10:00 am. Arrow left the perch on the balcony at 7.15 am, flew south to the Bell building (confirmed by Joan Boardman who went up to the United Church offices and could see that the bird was quite comfortable on a protruding shaft). Later Arrow was being harassed by some crows and was chased south off the building. No confirmation as to where he is now.

Sandra Hawkins reports:  6:00 pm. Arrow, Surge, and Blazer are flying very well.  They are all on top of one building or another. All three have been together on the penthouse of the west condo at least twice today. It is Etienne that is still in the nest. Bob confirmed his band with the telescope.  He has been very active on the ledge. Both of his parents and at least one brother have spent time with him. He really wants to fly, but as of 5:30PM, he is still trying to decide when he is going to make the big decision.

Angel and Marco have chased Kestrels (which were dive bombing one of their boys), a turkey vulture, crows and gulls today. They have tried their best to lure Etienne from the nest. Angel brought in food twice this morning.

We watched a youngster receive a pigeon from a parent in mid air over Bloor Street. Lots of thrills!!

Marcel Gahbauer reports:  8:10 pm.  Mark Nash is among those currently monitoring the Etobicoke family, and has just reported to me that as of this moment, all four of the youngsters are back together on the nest ledge.  Etienne of course has not yet flown, and today seemed rather content to remain where he was, patiently awaiting a feeding from Angel.  Two of his brothers returned earlier this evening, and by around 8 pm seemed to already be settling in for the night, and now of course the fourth has joined them too.

Sandra Hawkins reports:  Bob Hawkins called to say that at about 7:30PM both parents delivered pigeons to the nest ledge for Etienne. The other 3 brothers spotted the feast and all descended onto the nest ledge where they proceeded to devour the meal. All four chicks are back "home" for the night. Bob stayed around after everyone else left and at 9:57PM saw Marco fly to the top of the camera! He was unable to see Angel.

Sunday June 9, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  3:00 pm - Here's a mid-afternoon update, with further details no doubt to come later tonight from other observers on the scene.  Joan Boardman has just called to let me know that three of the four young peregrines are now in flight.  The one which took flight last night is doing well, but remains unidentified.  At 5:30 am the second one took flight, heading south accompanied by both parents, and flew well.  The third fledgling made his move around 8:45 am, somehow making it just around the pillar to the next ledge over on the nest building.  A couple of hours later, he attempted a more ambitious flight, and tried to land on the sloping glass of the centre tower without success.  After another failed landing, this time on the Kingsway-on-the-Park condominium, he landed on the terrace between the condo and the Clarica Centre.  He has remained there for roughly four hours now, enabling observers to determine that this is Arrow.  He appears to be doing fine, so for the time being he is being kept under close observation in the hope that he will fly back up on his own later tonight.  The fourth chick, presumably Etienne since he is two days younger than the others, remains on the nest ledge as of this time.  However, he was seen doing the "bat stance" on the wall at the end of the nest ledge around 11 am today, so his first flight is likely coming soon too.

Sandra Hawkins reports:  Two of the fledglings spent much of the day on the roof of the nest building. In the late afternoon, one of them joined his brother for dinner (Angel had dropped off some food) on the nest ledge. 

The other "roofling" took off and did a couple of circuits above Bloor Street and then landed on one of the ledges of the nest building above Aberfoyle. He is now believed to be on the roof of one of the condos to the east.

Arrow sat on the edge of the mezzanine directly over Bloor Street for another 4 hours or so. When he decided to move, he trudged back eastward to the covering over the Bloor Street entrance to the nest building and then surprised everyone by flying south across Bloor, then circling past the Bell Building and landing on the 14th floor ledge of a balcony on the easternmost Kingsway-on-the-Park condo. When I left at about 9:50PM, it was dark and he was still there. 

Saturday June 8, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  One of the youngsters has taken flight!  Joan Boardman called me around 5:15 this afternoon to let me know that the first one had left the nest ledge ten minutes earlier, and was currently sitting safely on the west tower of the Clarica Centre under the watchful eye of Angel (from above) and volunteer watcher Brian Tjernstrom (from below).  At this point it's not clear which of the four this is, and considering how similar they are in age and appearance, it may not be possible for us to tell.  Chances are that at least one more will take flight tomorrow ... updates to follow.

Friday June 7, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  As of tonight, Arrow, Surge, Blazer, and Etienne all remain on the nest ledge.  However, they have been flapping more, and it's just a matter of time until they take their first flights.  The adults also appear to be stationing themselves in preparation for accompanying their offspring on their initial flights.  Today was day 38 for Arrow, Surge, and Blazer, which happens to be the earliest age at which an Etobicoke chick has fledged (Explorer in 1999).  More often though, it has been on day 40 or 41 that they have overcome their second thoughts about going off the ledge, so we may have some excitement to look forward to over the weekend and early next week.

Linda Woods reports:  Spent the day out in Etobicoke. All four young ones were still on the ledge when we left around 6:45p.m. Angel took food in around 6  p.m. all settled down after their snack.
Had some action earlier, a goshawk made an appearance and Marco and Angel were really showing their stuff to the intruder. Later a turkey vulture appeared in the same area just south of the nest building and once again it was chased out of the area. Big difference from downtown, one can really see the adults showing the young flying techniques.

Wednesday June 5, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  Thank you to the more than one hundred of you who responded to the "Name the Chicks" contest over the past week!  Entries were split rather evenly between local residents and observers from outside the region, some from as far away as Texas, Florida, and Alaska.  There were dozens of great suggestions, and I very much appreciate the thought which was put into the selections - if only we had more birds to name!  The winning names are listed below, and clicking on the image of each bird will bring you to a full-sized photo from the banding last week.  Additional banding photos are now posted in the Etobicoke Photo Gallery.

Tuesday June 4, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  Joan Boardman phoned today to let me know that this afternoon the chicks were introduced to rain, and seemed to enjoy it greatly!  There was a stiff east wind which blew the rain into the usually sheltered nest ledge, and the young peregrines appeared to be fascinated with them.  The way they acted was reminiscent of Gene Kelly in "Dancing in the rain", and all who were present to watch this activity enjoyed it immensely.  Part of this sequence has been recorded on video and can be viewed in the Falcon Watch Centre.

Monday June 3, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  Less than one week after the banding, the appearance of the four chicks has already changed dramatically!  I stopped in to watch them with Joan Boardman for a couple of hours this afternoon.  She had been watching all day, and noted that they were relatively inactive, despite the parents apparently withholding food for most of the day.  They finally were fed by Angel late in the afternoon.  All of the chicks still have a small amount of down on them, but they are clearly getting much closer to fledging.  The Fledgling Watch will officially begin on Wednesday when they are 36 days old, just in case.  However, the history in Etobicoke has been for males to usually take flight between 39 and 42 days of age, which will mark the span from Saturday June 8 through Tuesday June 11.  Considering how close three of them are in age, it is likely those brothers will fledge on the same day, possibly within a short time of each other.  We hope they all have good flights, but want to be certain we can keep track of them all safely; additional volunteers are still needed for the weekend and next week.  If you can help out, please contact volunteer coordinator Linda Woods at linda@peregrine-foundation.ca. 

Tuesday May 28, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  This morning a crowd of 150+ people gathered outside the Etobicoke Falcon Watch Centre to watch the banding of this year's four chicks.  Our thanks to the Clarica Centre for again hosting this event and providing refreshments for all the visitors, and to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for their participation in this event.

It was around 11 am when the swing stage began its descent toward the nest ledge.  Somewhat to our surprise, the chicks put up very little resistance this year - rather than try to run away, they let themselves be picked up quite easily.  Soon they were being raised to the roof in a special box.  Meanwhile, the lucky three on the swing stage remained in place to distract Angel and Marco while the chicks were inside.  Both adults made repeated passes at them, but were kept away by the waving of arms (which caught the attention of some pedestrians on Bloor Street below, who became concerned that they might be in trouble!).  Fortunately, the peregrines did not make contact with anyone this morning, and while at the ledge, it was possible to both collect some food samples (mostly pigeon and blue jay) and wipe clean the camera lens.

At the same time, the chicks arrived in the lobby.  One at a time, they were weighed and banded by Mark Heaton and Pud Hunter of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.  A few feathers were also plucked from the breast of each chick for use in several scientific studies on the recovering peregrine population.  As usual, the chicks took the whole process pretty much in stride, and received the occasional squirt of water from a spray bottle to keep them calm, cool, and hydrated.

To our surprise, all four chicks this year were males!  The weight range was fairly small:  603, 631, 632, and 669 grams.  It's noteworthy though that the heaviest of them had a very full crop which could easily account for the extra weight.  The youngest of the four (26 days old) was the one weighting 632 grams; the other three are the ones hatched just hours apart on April 30 (i.e. 28 days old).  All were in good health.

The chicks were returned to the nest approximately 50 minutes after they were removed, and both adults checked on them shortly thereafter.  Marco spent a while on the sloping glass below the nest, while Angel perched on the camera for some time.  The first feeding of the afternoon occurred some time between 1 and 2 pm.

Many photos were taken at the banding today, and I will be posting several of them on the website next week - watch for news on this page when they are added.

There are two areas with which we now need your help!  First, over the next week we are collecting suggestions for names for this year's chicks.  We are asking that everyone submit just a single name for consideration; send your idea (along with your own name, location, and e-mail address or phone number) to marcel@peregrine-foundation.ca or drop it off in person at the Etobicoke Falcon Watch Centre.  If appropriate, include an explanation of the significance/meaning of the name you are suggesting.  Deadline for entry:  Tuesday June 4.  Names will be announced next Wednesday, June 5.

Just as importantly:  we need volunteers for this year's Etobicoke Fledgling Watch.  As early as next Wednesday (36 days of age) the chicks could begin to take flight for the first time.  As many of you may recall from past years, this is a most nerve-wracking time, since many of the fledglings have problematic first flights - occasionally ending with injury, but more often than not, simply getting them into predicaments where they require human assistance (e.g. getting stranded on low balconies, or even landing on the busy roads near the nest).

To help the fledglings remain as safe as possible, we plan to again organize a team of volunteers to watch over the youngsters from dawn to dusk for a period of one to two weeks.  While experience handling birds is helpful, it is NOT necessary - for the most part volunteers need to simply track the movements of the birds, rather than handle them.  If you would be willing to help at any time between June 5 and 18, please contact us at marcel@peregrine-foundation.ca.

Thursday May 23, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  The chicks continue their explorations of the nest ledge, and will no doubt be running back and forth next week when attempts are made to collect them for banding.  See the box above for information about the event if you are interested in attending.

Monday May 20, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  Last last week some of the chicks made their first forays outside of the nest box, and by the weekend, all were going in and out at will.  Naturally they are also able to walk up and down the ledge now, leading to moments of panic as observers logged on to the webcam or passed by the Falcon Watch Centre and saw an empty box with no birds in sight!  Quite a shock after a few weeks of always seeing the four fluffy little ones in the same spot.  The ledge is ~10 metres long, so the chicks can easily stay out of view for extended periods.  We may zoom back on the camera to show more of the ledge, but of course the birds will appear smaller when they are in view, and even then, they can continue to hide by standing right under the camera!  At any rate, rest assured that they ARE all present, even if you can't see them.

Saturday May 11, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  As expected, the chicks are growing up quickly - view a new snapshot in the Etobicoke Gallery to see how much they have grown in a week.

Thursday May 2, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  8:50 pm - Baylie Kastner has just relayed to us the news from Joan Boardman that the fourth chick has hatched this morning!

Wednesday May 1, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports:  4:25 pm - I have just spoken with Joan Boardman, who has been watching the nest all day and is at the moment is watching Angel feed the three chicks part of another starling brought in by Marco (see the Etobicoke Gallery for a snapshot from this feeding).  The fourth egg remains intact, though a small white speck may be the start of a hole (or maybe not - it is very small and difficult to tell).  Hopefully tomorrow will clarify matters somewhat!

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