The Canadian Peregrine Foundation

Saturday July 3, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The chicks are now 29, 31, and 32 days of age.  The chicks are expected to
take their first flights in 11, 9, and 13 days respectively.  At this stage, they are quite active; they are learning the motor skills they will need to be able to fly and hunt.  Their contour feathers continue to increase in number, and their facial colouring is becoming distinctly mature.

Sunday July 4, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  Internet viewers may have been suprised today; the camera panned around
extensively at 2:00pm to search for the chicks.  One chick was found directly under the camera itself.  Eventually, all chicks were located.

Monday July 5, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The chicks are now so active that the camera must be left at a low magnification for much of the day in order to keep the chicks in view.  The chicks are now very active, and use the length of the ledge as a runway in which to improve their mobility.  The male chick is expected to fly in approximately 7 days (based on the literature value for the average first day of flight for a male peregrine falcon), with Preston and the female chick expected to follow.  However, the actual first flight dates and order of first flights remain largely unknown.  Of the three chicks, the female appears to currently have the greatest interest in flight.  The female chick actually perched on the edge of the ledge itself for a few heart stopping seconds.

Tuesday July 6, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The chicks are still being regularly fed, but in decreased quantity.  The parents are at this point trying to lighten the chicks, so that they will be able to fly with greater ease.  In addition, the lighter feedings cause the chicks to be more active, which is required for muscle development.  The camera was able to zoom in on the leg of a pigeon left on the nest ledge following a feeding.  The leg was banded, indicating that the peregrines consumed a racing or homing pigeon.

Wednesday July 7, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  Possibly due to incredibly strong winds, the chicks were fed less frequently
than usual.  The decrease in feedings could also reflect the parents' plan  to make the chicks more lean prior to their first flights.  The chicks did not feed between 4:00 pm July 6 and 6:30 am July 7.  Just prior to the 6:30 am feed, the chicks were clearly agitated; two of the three chicks (most likely Preston and the female chick) jumped up on the parapet surrounding the nest ledge while the third chick stood close to the parapet.  All three screamed for food.  The two chicks observed on the parapet prior to the 6:30 am feed were observed throughout the day from the ground below as they stood on the parapet and surveyed the world below.

Thursday July 8, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  All three chicks were seen on the parapet (surrounding the nest ledge) this morning.  Preston and the female chick continued visiting the parapet throughout the day, whereas the male chick remained inside the ledge.  Of the three chicks, the female chick has the least amount of down feathers remaining.  Preston is still the smallest in size.  The male chick is getting brown juvenile feathers on his chest.

Friday July 9, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The three chicks all appear very comfortable on the parapet of the nest ledge.  In fact, the chicks have been caught napping on the parapet.  One of the chicks ran down the parapet flapping its wings in flight preparation and practice.  With all the activity on the parapet, the adults are remaining close to the nest ledge.

Saturday July 10, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  A pigeon made the fatal mistake of flying onto the peregrines' nest ledge.  Needless to say, the pigeon was soon chased off by both peregrines and soon thereafter became dinner.  The chicks appeared quiet today; they sat calmly on the southernmost parapet, preening or sleeping.  Little wing flapping was noted.

Sunday July 11, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  Due to construction at Crowne Plaza, our camera unfortunately was not
working between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm.  The chicks are all now located predominantly on the southernmost edge of the nest ledge.  Sitting lined up along the parapet over Albert Street, the three chicks are visible from the street below.  Now all three chicks have distinctly juvenile brown colouration.

Monday July 12, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The chicks are now 38 days (Preston), 40 days (Loft), and 45 days (Jessie) of
age.  At 1:30 pm, Loft took his first flight.  It appeared that the event occurred as an accident; Loft was on the southernmost parapet of the nestledge when he bumped into a sibling and was knocked off the ledge.  He fell and attempted (unsuccessfully) to catch onto the side of Crowne Plaza Hotel (where the nestledge is located).  Then he began to flap his wings, which slowed his descent but didn't allow him to gain altitude.  He flew westward along Albert Street, over Lyon Street and to the brown building behind the Glue Pot Pub.  Here he again unsuccessfully attempted to latch onto the side of the building.  He continued flapping his wings eastward and finally landed on the Glue Pot Pub's southernmost roof.   Both parents circled the sky repeatedly to check on Loft.  At approximately 7:30 pm, Loft took off from the Glue Pot Pub and flapped westward over Lyon Street and to the sidewalk of Albert Street beside the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  At this point, Eve Ticknor, Coordinator of the Falcon Watch for the Ottawa Field Naturalists picked up the chick and released him on the north corner of the nestledge.  Following release, Loft immediately ran South along the ledge and then settled on the southeast parapet. 

At 8:05 pm, Preston made his first flight from the nest ledge and traveled East along Albert Street to Tower A of Place de Ville.  Here he clung to the southernmost side of the building (one third of the way from the bottom) for a minute before travelling West along Albert Street and flying underneath the Crowne Plaza Hotel sign.  He appears to have just squeezed in along the bottom portion of the ledge, to land on the Crowne Plaza Hotel terrace.  All entrances to the terrace were secured by Crowne Plaza Hotel security, and the chick (which appeared to be in good physical condition) wasn't interfered with.  Preston was still on the terrace at nightfall.

Tuesday July 13, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  Preston was placed back on the nest ledge by the Falcon Watch volunteers this morning at 6:30 am, following a night spent on the terrace of Crowne Plaza Hotel.   For the remainder of the day, the chicks were quiet.  A sparrow was brought to the nest ledge at 11:00 am and a pigeon was brought to the nest ledge at 2:00 pm.  It appears as though the chicks need a rest and a chance to regain energy lost in the activity of the previous day.

Wednesday July 14, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  On the evening of July 13, at 9:00 pm, Loft took flight from the nest ledge and crossed Albert Street to land on a roof ledge halfway up Constitution Square, Tower 2.   He appeared calm; he was sitting with one leg tucked up into his body and dozed several times throughout the afternoon.  The parents kept a watchful eye on him and circled overhead often.  At 12:00 pm on July 14, Preston took flight.  This was the first of all flight attempts in which some lift and some degree of skill was noted.  Preston landed on the Minto building, which is South of Constitution Square.  Following Preston's flight, Jessie started flapping excitedly, but failed to follow her brothers' lead.  At 1:25 pm, Loft came to the ground West of Constitution Square, Tower 1.  In crossing Albert Street, his right wing was hit by a car windshield.  I picked him up and brought him to the Falcon Watch Centre for a quick physical before sending him off to Dr. Robin Roscoe for a complete physical and xrays.  Although Loft appeared unharmed, I decided it was better safe than sorry.  Dr. Roscoe sent Loft back with a clean bill of health, so I returned him to the nest ledge.

Friday July 16, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  When the Falcon Watch volunteers arrived at 6:00 am this morning, Loft had flown from the nest ledge to a terrace-level ledge on Crowne Plaza Hotel.  Preston had a powerful and stable flight from Minto Building to Delta Hotel.  At 9:00 am Jessie took her first flight from the nest ledge.  In comparison to her brothers' previous first flights, Jessie seemed more stable in the air.  She landed on an 8th storey balcony of the apartment complex West of Crowne Plaza Hotel.  She remained quiet for several hours while assessing the nearby Delta Hotel, and her brother (Preston), who sat visible on the Delta Hotel roof.  The Delta Hotel looked like an excellent place to hone one's flying skills...I think Jessie was thinking the same thing.  Loft meanwhile moved to the northwest corner of Crowne Plaza's terrace ledge, which resulted in a family gathering centered around the intersection of Lyon Street and Queen Street.   Meanwhile, the parents were circling overhead, making the area a very active place.   Jessie finally took flight at 1:00 pm.  She flew for a rather lengthy period, changing her direction several times before landing on the Apple Tree Medical Centre, located on the corner of Slater Street and Lyon Street.  Then Preston joined Loft on the Crowne Plaza terrace, and the 2 brothers socialized while gazing down at Albert Street below.  The final event of the day occurred when Jessie flew East down Slater Street and then North up Kent Street.  She landed on a 4th storey window ledge on the corner of Kent Street and Albert Street.  Needless to say, the Falcon Watch volunteers were kept busy all day running after the little airborne devils [Thank you].

Friday July 16, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  Jessie has been flying well ever since she took her first flight on Thursday.  Of the three fledglings, her flights are the longest in duration (indicating that she has the most endurance).  She actually flew over the building that was the collision site for the female chicks from previous years, causing much optimism amongst the Falcon Watch volunteers and myself.

Preston is also flying very well, but Loft still needs extensive volunteer support.   Loft still seems unable to gain altitude in flight, and lacks endurance.  I am confident that he will improve over time and under the watchful eye of the Falcon Watch volunteers.

Saturday July 17, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The adult male was observed sitting on the nest ledge today.  The adult female, on the other hand, was quite busy feeding her chicks and keeping a close eye on them.  Preston and Jessie remained in sight of their mother all day.  They tended to perch on buildings near the Lyon Street and Laurier Street intersection.  Loft was unfortunately not located all day.  As Loft is the weakest flyer of the three chicks, Falcon Watch volunteers anxiously watched the parents' movements for any indication as to Loft's whereabouts.

Sunday July 18, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  Jessie and Preston spent the day on high buildings near the intersection of Lyon Street and Laurier Street.  The parents watched over them from the nearby Minto Place.  They were fed twice.  Loft, on the other hand, wasn't doing so well.   He was last seen Friday at 9:00 pm, and it wasn't until Sunday at 11:00 am that he was found on a one storey magazine store on Bank Street (between Queen Street and Albert Street).  Presumably, he wasn't found nor fed by the parents.  At 2:00 pm he took a flight in a westerly direction, and landed on a 12th storey balcony of the Radisson Hotel.  After several more adventures, Loft finally got himself onto the top of Tower A of Place de Ville (a building of good elevation), and was located by his parents.   He enjoyed a meal that they brought for him, and settled down for the night.

Monday July 19, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  Loft appears to have finally gotten over his slow start, and was doing very well today.  Although not at the same skill level in flight as Preston and Jessie, he is now flying at a high elevation and with some duration.  Loft also fed twice today; his mother dropped off a pigeon and, later, another small bird.  However, the Falcon Watch volunteers still keep a close eye on him.  The fledglings appear very social, and will visit each other and their parents throughout the day.

Wednesday July 21, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The fledglings are doing extremely well.  At 7:30 am the three attempted their first hunt.  As three unsuspecting pigeons flew by, the fledglings set off in pursuit.  Although they were not successful, it was impressive to see them attempt to hunt so soon after learning to fly.  Moreover, it was noted that Loft did not seem to lag behind his siblings, indicating that his flying skills are rapidly approaching those of his siblings.  At 8:00 am Jessie attempted to hunt a pigeon on her own.  This time, she tucked in her wings and dived at the pigeon, which is an advanced hunting technique.  Jessie is definitely the most accomplished flyer of the three.

Friday July 23, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The fledglings have been perching on buildings farther from the original nest site.   Jessie and Preston spent some time on the roof of a building at the corner of Laurier Ave. and Bay St., while Loft perched on the roof of the Minto Place.  The fledglings were also observed in a flight with their parents towards the Ottawa River.   The fledglings are difficult to distinguish in flight from their parents, as their flight skills inprove daily.

Saturday July 24, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The chicks sat tight through a rainstorm this morning, and then spent several hours following the storm preening and drying off.  The fledglings are very social, and will generally stay in close contact with one another.  In fact, they often fly together from one rooftop to another, and perch together while relaxing.  Jessie and her mother were observed flying together in quick flight.  It appears as though the adult female is teaching her chick how to maneuver around buildings while flying quickly.  Jessie also accepted food from her mother in an aerial transfer.

Sunday July 25, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  Jessie and Preston spent the greater part of the day on a windowsill together.  It appears that, since fledging, these two have become more closer than either is with Loft.  This may have occured due to the fact that Loft is slower in developing flight skills than his siblings.  Consequently, Preston and Jessie spend considerable time together honing their flight skills.   Meanwhile, Loft appeared quite content to attack the remains of a previous meal in a convincing semblance of a hunt.

Monday July 26, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The fledglings are active throughout the day, and visible from the street below as they perform awesome aerial acrobatics.  The three fledglings were seen playing an intense game of tag over Slater Street.  Aerial food transfers between mother and Jessie are particularly fascinating to watch.  The entire family took off towards the Ottawa River in perhaps their longest group flight to date.

Tuesday July 27, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The fledglings appear very playful and eager to practice their flying skills.  All three fledglings were observed circling each other and making contact with each other (talon-to-talon).   Loft discovered the antenna on Tower C of Place de Ville, and Preston spent several minutes circling him in flight (perhaps enticing him off for more play) before giving up and joining his brother on the antenna.  Jessie continues to attempt hunting with her mother, although she has not yet been successful.  At one point in the day, all three fledglings were seen flying in the direction of the city core (northeast).

Wednesday July 28, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  An increase in the duration of singular flights was noticed.  Jessie flew west while Loft flew east and Preston flew north.  However, the fledglings are generally very sociable and affectionate with each other, and consequently spend the greatest part of their day together.  Games of tag have been observed from Slater Street, Lyon Street, and Kent Street vantage points.

Thursday July 29, 1999
Robyn Carlson reports:  The male chicks, Loft and Preston, have taken to perching on antennas (as opposed to rooftops or windowledges).  Jessie meanwhile returned to the southernmost corner of the nestledge for the first time since fledging.  As the parents have been slightly decreasing feeding amounts to the chicks (and the chicks have been very vocal about this matter), it is speculated that they are attempting to encourage the fledglings to hunt for themselves.

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