Canadian Peregrine Foundation -- Ottawa Archives: Oct-Dec 2001

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October - December 2001

Sunday December 30, 2001
Eve Ticknor reports: Phil Maillard and I were at the Coats Building this afternoon to watch both of our peregrines. Horizon was on one of the 3 black lamps on the east side, preening and looking around. Connor was on the east side as well, but harder to see. He seems to like to be tucked in a corner as he was today. His corner of choice today was at the north end of the east face, just above the highest bank of windows, against the last column. Before Christmas I saw him in a corner at the same level, but on the south face.

Thursday December 27, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: There is a pair of falcons, sitting on the north-east corner of the Crowne Plaza, a pleasant surprise on this fine, but crisp, Thursday, December 27th. Beats a partridge in a pear tree any day...

Saturday December 15, 2001
Eve Ticknor reports: The snow hasn't sent Connor on his way yet. I saw both Connor and Horizon on the south face of the Coats Building this afternoon around 3:30pm. Connor was at the far right and his mate was on the far left, polishing off the remains of a meal. I know her well enough to know she wasn't leaving anything for him!

Friday December 7, 2001
Eve Ticknor reports: Yes, we still have 2 peregrines! Today around 11am, Phil Maillard and I went over to the Coats Building. Connor was perched on top of the middle black lamp box on the east side, while Horizon was on the 3rd column from the western corner, on the south side. They both looked alert, looking around, but settled in for some roosting, a common occurrence judging from the whitewash on those sides.

Monday December 3, 2001
Jim O'Neil reports: I just saw Horizon dive-bombing 2 window washers on the east side of the nest, but no sign of Connor.

Gilles Vautour reports: A bit more on sightings around the Coats. I saw one of the falcons
last week (did not have my glasses so can't say for certain which one). I have also found a few fresh remains from meals. These are mostly pigeon wings, but I did also run across a leg. A friend with a window seat in the Coats stated last week that he saw "a large bird chasing after a smaller bird".

Sunday December 2, 2001
Eve Ticknor reports: I received a call from Roseanne Bishop this morning with news that she'd seen both our peregrines on the Coats Building at Tunney's Pasture, so I went for a look myself and there they were!

Both were on the east face. Horizon was on top of the middle of 3 black lights near the top. She was busy preening and facing north. Connor, yes he's still here(!), was roosting on a column to the right of her and facing south. They both looked quite comfortable there!

Tuesday November 27, 2001
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Around 2pm, I saw Horizon tucked in to the ledge on the south face of the Crowne Plaza. No sign of Connor - but then I almost missed Horizon as well since she was really inconspicuous today.

Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (8:55 a.m.) I'm walking towards Albert Street on this nippy morning. From a distance I spot an adult falcon on the SW corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I also observe five pigeons playing tag above Albert Street. They weave in between Constitution Square 1 and head towards Minto Place oblivious to the danger lurking behind them. I'm now on the corner of Albert/Lyon Streets and get a good look at Connor. He is keeping watch towards the east of the city. Horizon has not been spotted at this time.

Thursday November 15, 2001
Jim O'Neil reports: I have just spotted both Connor and Horizon. I believe Horizon is on the south east corner on the nest ledge and Connor is on Constitution Square having breakfast as I can see lots of feathers flying. It is so good to see that Connor has not gone south yet.

Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (9:00 a.m.) Horizon flies upward to reach the NE corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I had observed three playful pigeons flying above Albert Street moments before Horizon appeared. I stand here mesmerized as I catch a glimpse of Horizon's striking image as she proudly faces west like a sentinel on watch.

Monday November 12, 2001
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (9:00 a.m.) Horizon is perched near the NE corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. She is facing outward and keeping watch towards the east of the city.

Thursday November 8, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: 10:29 am - GREAT news everyone. Both Connor and Horizon are perched on the west ledge area, between pillars two and three, of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building. Just as I write, then Horizon decides to fly to her favourite roost which is located on the northwest corner of Tower 2 of the Constitution Square Building. Connor is left by himself on the Crowne Plaza ledge area and both look magnificent to this enchanted observer. I, as well as others, had thought that Connor had headed south, since he had not been seen for many days and in over a week. Yesterday, I had heard rumblings that he was still around, but he never exposed himself to my view, so I was somewhat skeptical and now am extremely excited that he had not flown the coop, so to speak. I am so glad that they are both here and that Connor maybe rethinking his journey south. The weather is still in our favour, as it is for him, and we may just get a bit more time to view these wonderful creatures as a pair, before Connor decides to head south. It would be wonderful luck if he decided to stay the winter. This is obviously the longest period of time that Connor has remained north in the fall season, before heading south.

Tuesday November 6, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: Early this morning - between 8:00 am and 9:00 am - Horizon brought back a dead pigeon carcass and stored in the cubby hole area on the north side wall of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I did not see her again for the entire day, so I guess she likes her meat, well aged. Needless to say at this time of the year, Connor is nowhere to be found and I am quite sure that he has headed south over a week or so ago.

Saturday November 3, 2001
Eve Ticknor reports: I passed through downtown this morning and found no peregrines at the Crowne Plaza. However Horizon was perched comfortably atop the western most column of the south face of the Coats building at Tunney's Pasture!

There have been reports of a peregrine hunting from that building and many have assumed it was a "new" peregrine, but we know better. I'm sure Connor left within a couple of days from the last time Phil and I saw them. At least he stayed longer this year!

Monday October 29, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: Only Horizon was seen today perched on her favourite roost on the northeast corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building ledge. I think that Connor may have left to go south, as no one has seen him since Wednesday or Thursday of last week.

Thursday October 25, 2001
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (8:58 a.m.) I am at the corner of Kent/Slater Streets on this overcast morning. Once again I am drawn to the rooftop of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Horizon or Connor is perched in between the first and second pillar near the NE corner of the hotel. As I'm about to cross the street, I hear a familiar cry in the distance. Horizon or Connor lands inside the NE section after having arrived from the East of the city. From this distance, I could not tell if a fresh catch was on the menu. I could still hear the falcon vocalizing as I headed for work. I guess this won't be a romantic breakfast for two.

Arlene Williams reports: Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon confirmed that she saw Connor and Horizon this am and I have confirmed the same. Hopefully, Connor will stay for the winter if he has been here this long, but the weekend should determine whether or not he will stay, as Ottawa is expecting slushy snow. 10:56 am - Horizon has just landed on the northeast corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building. No sign of Connor at the moment.

Tuesday October 23, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: For two (2) days now, Horizon has only been seen, so Connor may have headed south. I will update again later this week and maybe, Connor is just avoiding the Crowne Plaza Hotel building and may surface yet, although I am not too hopeful in that regard.

Saturday October 20, 2001
Phil Maillard reports: 12:20pm Eve Ticknor and myself can see both Horizon and Connor on the Crowne Plaza today. Connor is near the south east corner, Horizon on the north east ledge. After a few minutes of watching them, Connor decides to leave, flying in a south west direction. All seems well with them.

Friday October 19, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: Good news everyone. Connor is still around and he is currently sitting on the southeast corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building ledge and Horizon is situated on the northeast corner. I am so glad to see that he is still here and did not head south in the latter part of the afternoon on Wednesday, October 17th when it was dark, dreary, wet, windy and quite cold both in the afternoon and overnight. I hope that he remains for awhile yet.

Wednesday October 17, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: 11:15 am - Connor is still around everyone, so the test will be to see if he is still here tomorrow, since the weather forecast is predicting a possible slushy snow to fall this evening. He is currently located on the southeast corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building. Horizon is perched on the northeast corner and has been there for sometime. It is a bleak looking day and very overcast, so I guess they will not venture far from the home front today.

Tuesday October 16, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: Pretty well all day today, Horizon and Connor have frequented the west side of the ledge area of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building. On one of her adventures, she returned with a small bird, which may have been a sparrow or something similar and needless to say, she was not about to share with her mate, as per her usual practice. As of this minute - 3:19 pm - Connor is on the lower ledge area looking at his mate and is now hopping to the northwest corner to be in very close proximity to Horizon. Maybe he is indirectly letting her know that he will be leaving to fly south, very soon. She seems somewhat indifferent to his closeness, as she is basking in the last rays of the afternoon sun. He has given up on her and has since flown off in the direction of Tower 2 of the Constitution Square Building and is now displaying his flying prowess between the buildings, then returning to perform in front of his beloved. That is the most interaction that I have seen between the two in a very long time. My guess is that he will be flying south soon, but we can still hope that he remains for, at least, a couple more days, if not the entire winter, if we are very lucky.

4:35 pm - Horizon is aggressively plucking away at a dead pigeon and the feathers are a swirling in the wind atop the ledge area on the northwest side of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building. She seems to have removed the prey's head prior to returning to the ledge area with her catch. Connor must be hungry, as he sees the feathers swirling in the wind and then swoops on the northwest corner of the ledge area. He is longingly looking at his mate to see if she will even offer him a tidbit, but, no luck as of yet, as Horizon does not like to share. He may remain overlooking her plucking skills until such time as she has had her fill and maybe, just maybe, he will have a small morsel of protein leftover for himself.

4:50 pm - Horizon has flown off the northwest Crowne Plaza Hotel Building ledge area with catch in talons and relocated to the northwest corner of Tower 2 of the Constitution Square complex. Connor followed closely behind and initially did not venture near her or her catch. He just performed as few of his aerial displays and then ultimately he flew to the same corner as Horizon and now is just sitting right next to her. She has her prey in talons and the prey is flopped over the northwest corner of Tower 2 and Connor is ever so hopeful that he will be allowed a bite, however miniscule. She is holding on real tight and not relenting in any way shape or form. She really does make Connor tow the line, so to speak. I feel sorry for him when I see such goings on between them, but I guess that is one of the female peregrine's characteristics, to be so territorial not only with her offspring and surroundings, but with her food, as well. They look so lovely perched together on the corner as they face the east part of the city. Connor may be hungry, which I think this display is indicating, but maybe he is trying to say his goodbyes to his beloved just prior to him venturing off south for the winter. Who knows what goes on their minds. We haven't even had winter, but I am anxiously awaiting their interactions come the late winter, early spring and ultimately the possibilities of new offspring to watch over during the summer months.

5:05 pm - Both are still perched atop the northwest corner of Tower 2. No possibility, as yet, for Connor to grab a tidbit for his mealtime appetizer.

Monday October 15, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: Connor is still here and he and his beloved - Horizon - have been located on the north and southeast corners of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building for the better part of the morning. It is a glorious bright sunny day and I guess Connor is enjoying the Indian Summer weather that Ottawa is currently experiencing. As the next couple of days are forecasted for rain, it will be interesting to see whether or not Connor will stay or decide to go south. Hopefully, his beloved will not feel the urge to do the same, this year, as I look forward to, at least, viewing her activities on a regular basis

Saturday October 13, 2001
Phil Maillard reports: 9am - I see both Conner and Horizon on the Crowne Plaza today. Connor is on the south east corner and Horizon is on the south west ledge. It is not often I get to see both at the same time at this time of year. Both look very calm, just keeping an eye on their nest area. A pigeon flies very close to both of them but neither seems interested, luckily for the pigeon! It is very warm for this time of year and I'm guessing that may be one reason Connor is still in Ottawa.

Monday October 8, 2001
Phil Maillard reports: 9am. Horizon is perched on the south east corner of the Crowne Plaza on this cold, windy, morning. She looks quite content sitting there, preening herself. I look around hoping to see Connor but no luck. I wonder if this cold spell has made him decide to go south. I hope not as I'd like to see him again before he leaves this area for the winter.

Eve Ticknor reports: Connor is still here. I was down around the hotel this afternoon around 4pm and saw him sitting on the east side of the ledge, near the middle, looking east. Horizon was on the south side where the west ledge meets the solid south face. She, too, was facing east.

Thursday October 4, 2001
Arlene Williams reports: 10:26 - Well the grand dame - Horizon - is perched on the northeast corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel building. She has her back to me, presently and is currently facing south towards the Constitution Square Building, Tower 1. There is no sign of Connor on this bright and sunny day and I still have hopes that I will see him appear prior to the weather changing to a cold front during the Thanksgiving weekend. I have also noticed that Horizon has a small cache (one partially plucked pigeon) of food stored in the cubby hole along the north wall of the Crowne Plaza Building.

1:15 pm - Happened to go to the other side of the building and noticed that Connor is perched on the ledge area on the northeast side of the building and is located between pillars 4 and 5, so it has been confirmed that the little darling is still around. I do not know how long he has been there or will remain, but Horizon has not budged from the northeast corner since early this morning. I expect that she/he will move shortly to find a tasty tidbit for an afternoon delight or will be searching out a meal for this evening. I guess both have decided not to expend their energy today and remain on or near the Crowne Plaza Hotel building, since it is such a beautiful and warm day and what a view they both have of the city.

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