The Canadian Peregrine Foundation

Sunday October 28, 2007
Mark Nash reports: (Continuing with his report of Oct. 26) Interestingly, the following Sunday Oct. 28th, we received more calls from the Etobicoke Animal services, where they had responded to a call involving an injured raptor believing it to be yet another peregrine down. The injured bird was retrieved from the Bloor and Islington are, just blocks from the peregrine nest at the Clarica Centre. The injured raptor turns out to be another Red-tail hawk, and was taken to the Toronto Wildlife for treatment.

I have been watching the Etobicoke nest web camera very closely over the weekend, (with thanks to Linda for re-booting the frozen computer again), and it appears that both adult peregrines have been very active on the nest ledge. They are obviously sticking very close to the nest ledge and still very protective of their turf even at this time of year!

Friday October 26, 2007
Mark Nash reports: We had two emergency calls last week, as we received calls from a school in Etobicoke – (Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Elementary School). It was reported to us that a peregrine had come down in the school yard much to the horror of the children and teachers after colliding with a large basketball hoop. The raptor was quickly picked up by school staff in a disabled and bleeding state and placed in a warm quiet environment awaiting our arrival. As I arrived in the neighborhood, I too was more than worried that the injured raptor may in fact have been one of the territorial adult peregrines from the Etobicoke nest site, as the school is literally only blocks behind the Clarica Centre where the peregrine have been nesting all of these years. You can clearly see the nest building, and the nest ledge itself from the school yard! Much to my delight , (and sadness), the injured raptor was not a peregrine, but a very large juvenile female Red-tailed hawk.

Sadly, the bird was unconscious, with multiple injuries quite obviously not sustained by the collision alone. While I was loading the injured Red-tail in the car, in an effort to take the to emergency vet services, I was buzzed by both Etobicoke peregrine adults, who were still on the “watch” overhead of the school yard. Later that day at the Amherst Vet Hospital, the juvenile Red-tail had to be put down due to it’s extensive injuries and blood loss. Dr. Luckwaldt confirmed that the bird has sustained severe injuries consistent with that of another raptor attack. It was obvious that the Etobicoke peregrine pair are still VERY territorial even at this time of year! Historically, over the years, we have personally responded to and retrieved a total of eleven injured / dead Red-tail hawks from in and around this nest site. Over the course of a ten day period one spring, the territorial adult peregrines killed an entire family of Red-tails, - (both adult parents, and their two fledgling juveniles).

This is a VERY BAD PLACE TO BE IF YOU ARE A RED-TAILED HAWK!!

Many thanks to the school staff for acting so quickly, and for Dr. Luckwaldt and the Amherst Vet Hospital for being there for us and the birds when this sort of emergency arrives.

Tuesday July 24, 2007
Linda Woods reports: 1:45 p.m.
I was able to capture a photo today from the CPF web camera with a juvenile resting at the nest box.

Wednesday July 18, 2007
Linda Woods reports: Picture from Etobicoke web camera taken today July 18, 2007 7:35p.m.
One of the juveniles on the nest tray.

Friday June 29, 2007
Bruce Massey reports: All Three Juveniles Present

Sunday June 10, 2007
Baylie Kastner reports: A.M. report

Been watching from my window since 5.45. Lots of flying be the adults -looks like they are really anxious to get the chicks going. Just donned some clothes and heading across the street for a while. Last I looked, one adulot on the s.w. corner of the roof and the other on the sloping glass -chicks flapping a lot.

Mark Nash reports: First Fledge!
To say the days are getting longer is an understatement during these times, as the typical fledge watch days are simply one long dawn to dusk blurrrrr that last several weeks long given all of the nest sites where we are active in the streets on the various fledge watches. A late 7 am start for me again today in the streets, and with the support of Frank and Baylie, with the help of the many drop ins that joined us throughout the day to keep us going, we all survived another 15 hour day in the streets at Etobicoke.

While the better part of the day and evening was for the most parts un-eventful, (with the juveniles usual flapping and running up and down the nest ledge threatening to jump on every run), the better part of the day was spent with your eyes glued to the nest ledge with anticipation that the next session would lead to a jumper. Not so until you least expect it.

The tone changed at approx. 6:20pm with the first juvenile took his first flight, without any warning.

The parents spent most of the their day teasing the chicks with their usual touch-and –go’s off and on the nest ledge while trying to coax their offspring off the ledge, and their refusal to provide any food to the nest ledge all day. Finally at 6:20 pm one of the young chicks couldn’t stand it the coaxing and teasing any more and he took to the skies, with a short flight over the Kingsway on the part roof top where it landed some a tumble on the upper roof ledge. Immediately he was followed by both adults,, the fledgling landed safety and spent the better part of an hour running up and down the upper roof top ledges on the west site of the condo upper elevations. At approx. 7:30pm,, he once again took flight, and with some difficulty, made it back to the nest ledge with innocent.

Greeted by its siblings with the typical beak touching greeting ceremony that we have witnessed so often before over the years, the four juveniles settled back down on the nest ledge where they all remained until darkness fell at 10pm.

Just before dark, the adult female was observed coming into the nest ledge with a very small package of food, and we watched as she beak fed two the juveniles on the ledge. A tender moment indeed, as the usual screaming and chasing of the adult did not happen. Each young juvenile waited in line as she fed two of the juveniles beak to beak.

While we have witnessed this every years at most of the nest sites over the years, we still find this most unusual, as all of the juveniles have clearly demonstrated over the past days that they are capable of eating and picking the food dropped off to them on the nest ledges.

Saturday June 9, 2007
Mark Nash reports: Another un-eventful day today, and allot cooler thank goodness! The four juveniles spent most of the day again lounging around the nest ledge until 8 pm when it seemed that even the adult female was tired of her hatchlings lazy behavior. Much to our horror, she spent the very last part of the daylight hour coming and going into the nest ledge for short “touch and go’s” only to fly around directly in front of the nest ledge over to the Kingsway condo’s and returning to the nest ledge to do it all over again in an effort to coax her young into flight.

Without success, as the last light disappeared, she was not successful in coaxing them off, and the day’s watch closed with all four of the juveniles bedding down together for another night on the ledge. As Frank and Marion noted, the juveniles had been fed only once during their watch, so it is evident that they are being encourage to take flight by the parents. We called it a day by 10pm, and Marion and I proceeded to meet Linda downtown to the 18 King Street nest site where one of the young King Street juveniles fledged in the later evening, and was being held for observation after colliding with two buildings and ended up on the ground. Its going to be a busy watch time indeed with the two watches on the go at the same time!!

Friday June 8, 2007
Mark Nash reports: Adult female identification – Un-banded adult female!

For the most parts, an un-eventful watch (at least as far as the birds activity is concerned) but one that will not be soon forgotten. With 35 degrees Celsius in the sun most of the day, and the Relative humidity of 67%, I can’t remember a hotter day more brutal day. Feels more like a 100 plus degrees. The young juveniles spent most the day lounging around the nest ledge, as the blistering heat and humidity took its toll on everyone. Finally as the early evening moved in, so did the clouds and some very nasty winds and heavy rain developed with thunderstorms and an incredible lightning storm.

Although it was a very violent storm front for a short period of time, at least the temperature dropped dramatically to 20 degrees making it very comfortable, and much easier to breath. During my watch, I was able to focus some of my attention and the scope onto the adult female, and I as able to confirm that the adult female this year at the Etobicoke nest site is NOT BANDED. The adult male is banded with a SOLID BLACK band typical of the Canadian coloured marker bands that we band the peregrines with, so I can also confirm that we have a Canadian produced male at the Etobicoke nest site.

It is worth noting that both adults used the top of the web camera throughout the day and evening as a roosting spot in an effort to stay close to the ledge, and seek shade from the sun. On several occasions, both adults mounted their attack during the many hunting forays that were observed.

At one point in time, the adult male was observed bringing in food and stashing it onto the ledge just around the corner ledge to the nest ledge. Later that evening at around 8pm, the adult female flew onto this ledge, retrieved the food stash, and took it into the nest ledge. She was observed feeding the juveniles one by one as they lined up to be fed by her. While I though that they were more than capable of feeding them selves at this age, it appears that mom is still spoon feeding them!

Thursday June 7, 2007
Mark Nash reports: Like all brothers and sisters, the usual challenges back on the nest ledge are a daily occurrence at this advanced age of the hatchlings.

I guess we have to start calling them juveniles now, as the fluffy white appearance typical of a recent hatchling is no longer visible. They are pictured here in this web cam shot dawning their brown juvenile flight feathers.
With many thanks to Jennifer for the web cam snapshot.

Wednesday June 6, 2007
Baylie Kastner reports: At 8 pm could see all 4 chicks on the nest ledge and one adult on the S.W. corner of the nest building. This was from my patio.

Tuesday June 5, 2007
Frank Butson reports: The Fledge watch has started!

I was present at Etobicoke from 7am-1130am. After the 2nd downpour of the day and freezing in only a t-shirt,I packed it in. I saw one feeding eventually. The adult female brought in a pigeon meal briefly before flying away with it,she was trying to bait the young off of the ledge. She flew by the ledge with it twice before going to the roof with it. Only once it started to rain,did she fly onto the "nest ledge" with it. The adult male stayed to feed them. A few times 2 of the young did alot of flapping. While all were active on the ledge it was obvious they werent going anywhere today. All 4 young were fed by the female. While it rained the young stayed out of site. I'll be there tomorrow from about 7am again and with improved conditions plan to stay till about 3pm. The photo is Dad(I think) and the 4 chicks,taken sitting on the steps on Eagle Rd.

Linda Woods reports: 6:35p.m.
All four are still on the ledge. Captured a picture of them enjoying an after dinner preen.

Monday June 4, 2007
Linda Woods reports: 11:30 a.m.

A lazy morning at home. It's been raining all morning and the skies look not too promising at the time. Perhaps they'll wait it out until clearer skies. This picture, one can see down on a few of the chicks.

Sunday June 3, 2007
Linda Woods reports: Additional pic, taken from the web camera at 5:45p.m. Sunday; After speaking with Jan she told me she had all four Etobicoke birds in view on the webcam. I managed to capture this picture with my somewhat trusty dial up connection.
All four look very ready to fly, with just a little down on all of them. All four look very big ( on camera.)

Monday May 28, 2007
The Postmaster reports: The Etobicoke nest site banding as scheduled for Tuesday, May 29th 2007 has been CANCELLED. We regret that the banding ceremony has been cancelled due to issues involving equipment certification. We are saddened to report that the Etobicoke Peregrine chicks will not been banded this year as a result. However, every effort will be made to ensure the Etobicoke chicks will be banded if and when they come to the ground during the fledge period.

Although the banding ceremony will not be taking place, the chicks will be viewable on a monitor to be installed at All Trans Financial facing out towards the lobby near the Aberfoyle entrance. The monitor was made possible due to the generous support and assistance from All Trans Financial and Oxford Properties. Full details about the proposed banding are available here.

Wednesday May 23, 2007
Linda Woods reports: 7:45p.m.
An evening snack before bedtime. They are getting big and from estimates, they should be ready to fly by the end of the first week of June.
Stay tuned.

Friday May 18, 2007
Mark Nash reports: Helena Frndova sends an update from Etobicoke nest site with a great photo of 2 of the four hatchlings now starting to explore the nest ledge, as they have been able to venture out side of the nest tray.

Monday May 14, 2007
James Scott reports: Got a good capture of the 3 fledglings at Etobicoke today. Looks like feeding time.

Friday May 11, 2007
Jennifer Barr reports: Confirmed 4 chicks with photo!

Congratulations on your success in Etobicoke!
I finally caught all 4 babies on your web-cam.

Wednesday May 9, 2007
Linda Woods reports: The little ones aren't so little anymore, They are growing quickly.

Thursday May 3, 2007
Isabel reports: 3 hatchlings today

Breakfast time - just taken this and I think we can see 3 heads.

Tuesday May 1, 2007
Jan Chudy reports: Second Hatchling!

Looks like there are two different shells this morning, and likely a second hatch. This was at 6:30 am.

Linda Woods reports: Clearly another hatch. That makes two so far. Morning feeding is seen in the photos.

Barbara Taylor reports: Thought you might like this webcam shot I just managed to grab today, May 1 at 7:20 p.m. I watched for a few minutes afterwards, but no further glimpses of the young ones.

Monday April 30, 2007
Mark Nash reports: First Egg Hatches!!

With a huge thank you to Isabel for capturing two photos from the Etobicoke CPF nest web cam, we have confirmation of the first southern Ontario peregrine hatchling! Isabel was able to capture two photos of the small tiny white hatchling while the adult female was fussing about on the nest tray.

Linda Woods reports: PM Report

The adult female was photographed as darkness fell tucking the little one in for the night, on it's first day out of the shell. The first hatchling is barely able to hold its body upright as mom feeds the tiny hatchling.

Saturday April 21, 2007
Mark Nash reports: With thanks to Isabel, this photo was snapped of the happy couple during a shift change from incubation duties.
Thanks Isabel, nice shot!

Friday April 13, 2007
Mark Nash reports: Finally a rare opportunity to capture the moment and snap a photo of the nest tray on Friday, April 13, 2007 when the adults were photographed away from the nest tray during a shift change from their incubation duties. Photo [captured by Isabel] at 6.42p.m

Still a mystery as to exactly how many eggs are present in the nest tray????

Saturday March 31, 2007
Linda Woods reports: At least three eggs observed!

This photo of the adult female was captured around 7:15p.m.as the male was observed bringing in food for her. It appears that there is at least three eggs present with the possibility of a 4th.

Thursday March 29, 2007
Mark Nash reports: Eggs observed!

Etobicoke nest site web cam is finally up and running!!
Full incubation is underway.

We finally have the Etobicoke web camera back up and running. The new computer was installed Thursday night, and as we had expected, the adult female is in full incubation!! While we can only offer our best guess as to when the eggs were laid, we believe that we will be looking at a hatch date some time in and around the week of April 23rd to April 28th.

With enormous thanks to Dan Gill of DG Consulting who spent many hours on the new computer and systems to get this web cam back up and running for us. We are all looking forward to a successful hatch again this year!!

Friday July 28, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Mortality - Wendy
Once again it is with great sadness that I must report that we have lost yet another 2006 fledgling from the Etobicoke nest site. “Wendy” - (the little fledgling from the Etobicoke nest site with the serious beak injury) had to be euthanized today as her beak fracture was just too server. Her beak continued to split & separate, and she was still unable to eat on her own. Infections were not able to be controlled as she was not responding to the antibiotics and she was in enormous pain. The decision was finally made by the two attending physicians that her prognosis was not good, as her condition had worsened.

Monday July 3, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Wendy Rescued Again!
With many thanks to Jeanette Proctor and our good friends at the Toronto Animal services, the young fledgling named Wendy was rescued today from the ground level as she ended up in a residential backyard not too far away from her nest site at Bloor and Islington. Wendy was transferred to the Toronto Wildlife centre for a closer examination, as it was suspected that she had sustained some injuries this go round. Sadly, it would appear that after a close examination by the good folks at the Toronto Wildlife Centre, that she has broken the hook off of her beak and has lost allot of weight compared to banding weight. She was also in a dehydrated state and in need of medical attention. She was put on general meds to help fight any infections, re-hydrated is being held for closer observations until she has finished her antibiotics. While it is believed that her condition is not life threatening at this time, X-rays will also be completed to further investigate possible internal injuries.

Her attitude was good, and over general body condition was good. The beak fracture will take some time to re-grow, but it will re-grow. Given her present condition, - (without a hook to her beak, it has been obvious that she can not preen herself with the essential preen oils needed to condition her cover feathers, and as such, she will not be able to stay “waterproof” and dry. As a juvenile, just learning to fly, (and still having a tough time at it), if her under-down becomes permeated with water/moisture, she will not only run the risk of dying of exposure, but she will never be able to get airborne with the excessive weight of the water. It would appear that she will have to spend some time in rehab until she gains a hook back to her beak.

Sunday June 25, 2006
Mark Nash reports: What started out to be days rest in the field to recharge our batteries after a grueling three weeks in the streets on fledge watch, turned very quickly to scrambling and running to two different nest sites as the telephone calls came in on my cellular telephone. One peregrine down in downtown Toronto at 4 Front Street east from the Toronto downtown King street nest site, and a second one down in Etobicoke at the Clarica centre nest site. First stop to Front Street, and on to the Etobicoke Clarica nest site. With many thanks to the security at the Kingsway on the Park, they had alerted us as to a downed juvenile peregrine that was in distress on the Aberfoyle side of the Clarica centre at Bloor & Islington. Upon arrival, Marion and I spent almost three hours searching the both spot where the downed fledgling was trapped, the parking lots lawns and back streets in the immediate area, but sadly, I must report we never did locate the bird. We can only hope that she – (who ever she is) was able to regain her flight and some altitude to a safe roosting place.
Stay tuned……………

Friday June 23, 2006
Mark Nash reports: With a huge thank you to the Clarica security – (North American Security Services), the young fledgling named Wendy was rescued from the street level on Aberfoyle late this morning. After receiving a telephone call around 11:30 am this morning from Clarica security alerting me that they had spotted one of the young peregrine falcons clinging to a second floor outer balcony railing, I proceeded to the Etobicoke watch. With the skill of seasoned peregrine watchers, the security team was on the fly, and to the rescue before a bat of an eye. After having seen the young fledgling on one of their security cameras, and their quick response to the situation, they had captured up the downed fledgling as it came to the ground from the second floor balcony. By the time I arrived, Wendy had already been rescued and placed into CPF rescue carrier and waiting for my arrival. Upon my arrival, Wendy was given a detailed examination for any signs of trauma, brakes and other obvious injuries and was them placed back into the rescue to be held over for a short observation period, until her release back to the nest building roof top under the cover of darkness. I returned to the Clarica security office where Wendy was being stored, and completed my final examination to ensure that her condition was in good order prior to being released.

Under the cover of darkness, Wendy was released back to the upper nest building roof area with success. Releasing her under the cover of darkness ensures that she will not bolt of the roof area after her release, and allows me to get off of the roof without disturbing the adults and other fledglings on the roof. As she exited the rescue box, she quickly went on her back, feet held high in the usual protection mode, and allowed me to get off the roof in safety. Just before I closed the hatch and disappeared from roof area, I paused to take one more look at Wendy to ensure that she was OK. I could see the black silhouette standing and in motion as she ran across the roof top for cover under the swing stage.

A huge thank you to all of the folks at the Clarica security for an outstanding job well done, and for all of the falcon baby sitting that they have done for us and the falcons throughout this years fledge watch!

Let’s all now hope that the fledglings will stay aloft from here on in!

Wednesday June 21, 2006
Frank Butson reports: Arrived 7am departed at 1pm. Saw all 3 juveniles. 2 made a few small flights. One made a great flight from the first condo,out over the 2nd condo,around Aberfoyle and along Bloor,then circled the nest building 3 times before landing on the roof. Its flight was very confident. I saw no feedings. There wasnt much action. A nearby resident did call parking cops on city workers who were paving Eagle Rd at the corner. How dare they park on the street and then take a lunch break.

(The Webmaster reports:) Audrey Gamble from Hamilton sent us an e-mail concerning Surge, a male peregrine who was produced at the Etobicoke nest site in 2002. He is currently in Hamilton, as can be seen from Audrey's story (reproduced below). You can also see excellent photos of Surge in the 2005 Burlington Photo Gallery, as he was the resident male at that nest site last year.

Please let Etobicoke's falcon lovers know that Surge is well named and has grown into a prime tiercel. Hamilton falconwatchers are delighting in getting to 'know' our new bird. He is fast, funny and fierce. A small sleek bird, he steals into one's view without a hint and leave you wondering how long he's been right in front of you! He's a devoted father who helps Madame X shield the girls, Albion, Webster and Sherman, from the hot sun. His stealthy flight and the perfect peregrine slate blue gray of his back and allow him to hide in plain view on Hamilton's downtown buildings. His lightning surges of speed and power startle prey and falconwatchers alike. All in all a real treat to watch.

Tuesday June 20, 2006
Frank Butson reports: Arrived 715am till 1:30pm...a few good flights,by at least 2 young. One particularily is a good flyer,able to get distance and gain altitude. Both visible juveniles made many small flights from ledge to ledge or into the nest ledge,or various ledges on that level. The female adult sounded off at a Turkey Vulture,and on hearing it the Turkey Vulture veered lazily away. When she chased it,the Vulture quickly flapped and started to move away with purpose. No feedings seen.

Monday June 19, 2006
Mark Nash reports: A huge Thank You to Barb for sending in these Etobicoke web cam snapshots, as I have been at the MEC nest site today on the watch, and like a mother hen, have been worried sick about the fate of the Etobicoke fledglings. We are spread so thin this year with fledglings jumping simultaneously at three different nest sites that it has been a very difficult year indeed! With another 2 fledglings having been rescued from the MEC streets again today, I have been running around like a "pac-man with my head cut off all day"

While I can not be certain which two juveniles are in fact the ones on the nest with mom in the web cam shots, at least we know that at least two of the three fledglings were able to make it back to the nest ledge. Thank you BARB!!

Sunday June 18, 2006
Linda Woods reports: 10:20 - 4:40p.m.
Upon arrival at Eagle Road "stairway to peregrines" ( Bell building) I spotted one juvenile on the wall of the roof above the "ADP" sign. Making my way to the Eagle road, two more juveniles were seen above the nest ledge. Not a lot of activity, Food was brought in and one juvie took charge of the meal. After waiting a while it eventually took flight, and it was the juvenile that has been doing well. The flights are smooth with not a lot of flapping, the landings are controlled. This bird even returned to the nest ledge while I was there. This bird also was seen preening both it's siblings. Very sweet to see.

One juvie flying very well and doesn't appear to be of concern. The second juvie I saw, flew to the centre tower roof top and didn't seem to cause me any concern at this time. The third little one, was seen stretching its wings, but did not do any great amount of flapping as yet. After being preened by it's sibling it jumped down onto the rigging and out of sight. I think it may be using the rigging to assist itself to the roof line. Glad to see all three interacting. Both adults were taking advantage of all the wind and heat thermals. Both were flying high today.

Friday June 16, 2006
Mark Nash reports for Marion, Bruce and Frank:

Sorry for the lack/delay of updates, but by the time I get home after 18 hours in the streets while splitting my time on two different watch locations, it’s all I can do just to get some crawl into bed. While we are trying to get the updates to you as often as possible, please remember that our priority of course is to be there for the birds in the streets as much as possible, and not on the computer.

It has been a very long two days indeed, as I have been running back and forth between two different nest sites at MEC and Etobicoke. I will have to be short and brief, as I try and recap all of the verbiage given to me from Marion, Bruce, Frank that they observed, while trying to remember my own observations at the two different nest sites..

In short, Liza is flying well (short flights) between the nest building and the Kingsway on the Park roof tops quite often and is holding her altitude thank goodness. She actually flew to the Aberfoyle side of the nest building, and successfully landed on one of the other ledges where she spent some resting. Mom fed her on two occasions on this ledge. Lara is still on the nest building roof top ledges running around screaming and flapping as the relentless teasing of both the adults continues. They are trying to coax her back into the air, but she is not complying. Wendy is still on the roof top of the nest building, still not much interested in flapping or flying as yet. Bruce attended the roof top to check on her on Thursday June 15th at dark just before leaving the watch, and I checked on her on Friday June 16th at dark to make sure that she is still Ok. She has not yet ventured up to the retaining wall ledge to join her sister Lara.

The adult parents have been feeding the three fledgling more than we have ever seen in all of the years that we have been watching these nest sites. I can’t believe the amount of food that mom and dad have been bringing in! The adults have also been relentless in their teasing with over head and fly-by passes with food in their feet and there is allot of vocalizing going on by all.

Hopefully, I can encourage Bruce, Marion, and Frank to send in there observations, as the amount of information being passed on to me throughout the day is a little overwhelming to say the least.

Stay tuned……

Wednesday June 14, 2006
Linda Woods reports: 10:15 - 6:00p.m.
Arrived on site to meet Frank at the Etobicoke watch. Two adults and two juveniles in view. One juvenile – (Wendy) was on the roof top wall and spent part of the day walking the perimeter. Second Juvenile – (Liza)) was on the nest ledge, took off on a short flight and ended up on the north side of the nest building on the north west ledges. No altitude was lost. Good flight seen by Bailey, and the adults did not react with any panic, but were in the air to follow her. Each juvie in view was fed. Cannot see the third juvenile –(Lara) which is on the roof top of the nest building where she was released last night. Adults are keeping an eye on that area.
No other exciting activity for today.

Marion Nash reports: 6:00 pm to 10pm
Juvenile Liza spent the balance of the evening on the north ledge of the nest building flapping and screaming at her parents, with mom in attendance on several occasion with small food packages to feed her. I was joined by Mark who took up position on the corner of Eagle Road and Bloor Street. The juvenile Wendy spend all evening on the upper roof ledges running and flapping (and screaming) for moms attention. Both adults were in hunting mode most of the evening, and more than a dozen stoops were witnessed, with five kills to their credit. At eight o’clock, mom finally came with another food package, and “spoon fed” Wendy on the upper roof ledge on two occasions. Liza was also fed on at least three occasions. We did not see either of the parents attend to Lara – believed to be still grounded on the top of the nest building roof. If she is not seen tomorrow, the roof top will be checked to ensure that she is Ok. We did not attend today, as the fear of scaring off Wendy from the upper ledge causing a panic flight is very real.

Wednesday June 14, 2006

Tuesday June 13, 2006
Mark Nash reports: 2 Fledgling Rescues!

While I can still say that I love what I do, I must admit that we do have days that I wish never happened!! There is so much to report, that it would take me hours to detail to write, - (and of course I’m needed in the streets to be there on the fledge watch). With three nest sites fledgling at the same time, it has already turned out to be 36 hours in the streets since Monday, and today is only Tuesday!

The day started out with horrific news from Bruce at the downtown Toronto watch of a pre-mature fledgling at the 18 King Street nest site, with little Sir Adam having been blown off the nest ledge at less than 32 days old. While CPF rescuers attended to his needs, telephone calls were streaming in from Clarica security at Etobicoke nest site that another Etobicoke fledgling has jumped for it s first flight, lost altitude and been hit by a truck as it crossed into the heavy traffic on Bloor Street. CPF volunteers and eye witnesses explain that the fledgling was bounced off the front windshield of the truck and thrown across to the south side of Bloor Street into the store front window. Leaving the MEC nest site watch in Mississauga, I arrived at the Etobicoke nest site at 11am, where the downed fledgling was waiting. It had been scooped up and placed in a CPF rescue box awaiting my arrival at security. Much to my amazement after this ordeal, I was greeted by very “peeved off” fledgling, that was no worse for wear, and sustained virtually no injuries other than some ruffled feathers!! Identified by her band identification, it was “Wendy”. After a detailed physical examination, she was re-hydrated, and placed bank into the rescue box for the prescribed observation period, and held over until the final examination before being released back to the nest building roof later this evening under the cover of darkness.

While Wendy was being examined, a second hatchling took her first flight, identified later by her band identification as Lara. Sadly, she too was unable to gain altitude as she flew south over Bloor Street, turned north in an effort to return to the nest building. Again, the gusty winds are in part responsible for the collision that occurred when she was blown into the office tower building approx. 20 floors up from the ground level. Lara made direct contact/collision into the glass, and with wings folded, dropped down to the ground after the collision.

She was retrieved in on the underground parking entrance on Bloor Street, stunned, and very confused as to what had just taken place. Lara was picked up and placed in the second CPF rescue carrier and examined for injuries and other trauma. Lara was taken to the security office where Wendy was being held until she could be further examined.

By 3:30 pm, I can tell you that given the stresses of the day, combined with the sun exposure and heat, we were all feeling the affects of the sleep deprivation from the past three days of the watches.

During the physical examination of the Laura, prior to her being placed in the rescue carrier, Ian noticed that there was a juvenile peregrine on the nest ledge. Much to our surprise, and with the use of the 75 power scope, they were able to confirmed that the forth missing fledgling – “Liza” had returned to nest ledge on her own steam during Laura’s rescue.

It was certainly nice to see Terry and his lovely wife again, and Ian of course, as their support on the watch was very helpful indeed. By 6 pm, things were very quiet, Bruce and I returned to the MEC nest site fledge watch in Mississauga.

10:30pm - Returned to Etobicoke nest site with Tracy who was kind enough to come in from Woodbridge Ontario after a very long day at her full time day job, and a very long evening at the CPF raptor centre while caring for all of our educational birds. As requested, she came with additional rescue carriers in-hand that will be placed at the various other nest sites in preparation for their fledge watches. She also attended and assisted with the final examination and eventual release of Wendy and Lara back to the nest site roof. Both birds were physically examined again for the last time just before release to confirm earlier findings that they were no injuries or other trauma that would prevent them from being released back to the wild. Both birds checked out healthy, with good nasty peregrine attitudes, lots of strength, very alert, and ready to go. At approx. 11 pm, and with the assistance of the Clarica security staff, and under the cover of darkness, we attended the roof to release both birds. Each rescue box was opened and Wendy and Lara were released to the nest building roof. Unable to see in the darkness, both the fledglings remained quiet and still on the roof as we made a speedy escape. We returned to the street level watch position and stayed until 12:00 midnight on watch, just in case one of the two decided to take flight and leave the roof.

Tracy and I finally packed up and left shortly after midnight.

Monday June 12, 2006
Bruce Massey reports: The fledge watch has started. Despite having a wonderful sunny day, I’m saddened to report that tragedy has befallen the first day of the watch. With the four hatchlings still on the ledge upon my arrival, with lots of flapping by the chicks, I expected that we would be in for a busy day indeed. The winds were constant from the north east, and were gusting as the flags atop of the Clarica centre were in constant motion. Some time after noon, Laura took her first flight followed closely by her mom. She flew south west across Bloor street assisted by the constant winds and was quickly out of our view. Despite our best efforts, and throughout the next eight hours of ground searches failed to produce another sight of her by days end. The adult female spent much of her time throughout the day off and on soaring around to the south west of the nest building, and it was quite apparent that mom had her eye on Laura from the air. Both Liza and Wendy remained on the ledge all day, with lots of flapping activity, but were still on the ledge as darkness fell by watch end.

Shortly after 3 pm, Chiara took her first flight, and once again assisted by the constant winds that initially took her south high across Bloor Street. Mom immediately went into action in pursuit as they both flew south of Bloor Street and then turned around and headed back northward in an effort to return to the nest building. Sadly, despite Chiara’s best efforts to gain enough altitude to reach the height of the nest ledge, she slammed into the east tower and fell 20 plus stories down to the upper mezzanine level. Both Ian and I couldn’t believe our eyes, as it happened so quickly. With securities assistance, Chiara’s body was retrieved, and it is quite apparent that she died on impact.

Mark arrived for the afternoon shift around 3:30 pm and was able to confirm the identity of the two remaining chicks on the ledge with the spotting scope. In addition, a good view of the adult female was observed through the scope re-confirming that she is not banded. Mom came in to the nest ledge around 5 pm to feed Liza and Wendy. Dad was also observed throughout the day and a partial band number was also observed. We are close to identifying and confirming his true identity.

By 9:15 pm as darkness closed in, the two other chicks Wendy and Liza were bedded down on the nest ledge and it was obvious that they were settling in for the night.

Sunday June 11, 2006
Baylie Kastner reports: Just looked out and saw the 4 young ones on the ledge looking very big and doing a lot of flapping and spreading wings. One adult is sitting on the camera watching.

Linda Woods reports: 10:30 - 1200
All four juveniles present and accounted for. I managed to get the web camera back up and running, but I think it knocked out the Sheraton Camera. Back to the drawing board. All but one of the juveniles appear ready to go with no apparent down remaining. The youngest still wearing "bloomer puffs." I checked the camera at 6:30 and all four juvies are still on the ledge.

Isabel reports: Nearly off. Sunday evening around 8 p.m.

Friday June 9, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Banding Day – All 4 female chicks!
And some additional great news!!!

A great day indeed! Assembled in the lobby again this year, and everyone seemed every bit as excited as I was. With many thanks to Oxford Properties, All Trans Financial, and our good friends at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, along with some 75 plus attendees, the banding went without a hitch again this year and was a great success. This year’s 4 hatchlings were as feisty as ever, and are all girls!! Yes, all female chicks this year, and HUGE in size and weight!! All four female hatchlings weighted in at more than 4355 grams combined weight, with an average individual weight of 1088 grams each. All of the chicks were over 1000 grams! Many photos were taken by several photographers this year, and you can see them all in the 2006 Etobicoke photo gallery.

The four girls were named: Liza, Chara, Wendy, and Laura.

With the kind support of All Trans financial, Mr. Alexander presented us with some additional great news to top off the banding. All Trans Financial has offered to purchase a large screen flat monitor that will be installed just above the bank machines outside there suite in the east lobby. We will once again be able to provide the live colour camera images of the nest ledge. With the support of Oxford and the Clarica Centre management, who has agreed to install the flat screen monitor, you will once again be able to watch the peregrines and their families throughout the year in living colour.

A huge thank you to All Trans and the Clarica management group for making this happen!!!!!!

Sunday May 14, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Caught this image today..... 4 chicks most definitely.

Monday May 8, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Finally a good snap shot of the Etobicoke nest site sent in from the Rob and Christie. Confirmation of three hatchlings, - looking very good indeed!

Wednesday May 3, 2006
Mark Nash reports: As the e-mail and photo snapshots continue to come in, the debate is still very much alive, with regards to the hatch count. Sadly, we have lost camera control with the Etobicoke nest camera, and can no longer zoom or pan and tilt due to software conflicts with the old camera control software and the new Windows XP operating system that was recently installed on the Etobicoke PC. We’re stuck with what we have. Sadly, we have not been able to positively confirm the presence of two or three chicks, but we are all very excited never the less!!!!

Monday May 1, 2006
Mark Nash reports: First Hatch!! Congratulations Etobicoke!!

I think that the photo sent in by Kym says it all! Looks like at least one egg has hatched, maybe two??
The parents look just a little excited indeed!!!

Nick Rutkay reports: I was looking at the webcam at 5:30 and there are at least 3 hatches and I see one eggs still there

Wednesday April 26, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Thanks to Isabel, this photo was taken this morning – April 26th and confirms that we do not have a hatch as yet. A rare shot indeed with the adult female off the eggs taking a brake.
A hatch is expected any day now.

Tuesday April 25, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Watching the web camera image off and on all day, as the adult female seems very very unsettled on the nest tray. I would guess that there has in fact been a hatch, but she is not giving us an opportunity to see what’s going on under her. Sadly, each time the new camera image uploads, she has already changed positions on the tray. Very frustrating indeed!!!!!

Say tuned……………

Saturday April 22, 2006

Friday April 21, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Hello all, Do we have a hatch???

One of our viewers has just e-mail us suggesting that there may have been a hatch at the Etobicoke nest site. Given the date that full time incubation started by the female, our best projections as to an expected hatch is very close, and we are asking that everyone keep a close eye on the nest to confirm.

Friday March 31, 2006
Nick Rutkay reports: I got this image yesterday, and this morning I saw that there were acctually 4 eggs in etobicoke now.

Monday March 27, 2006
Jan Chudy reports: The adult just stood up on the edge of the box and two eggs are clearly visible. (This at 11:10 a.m. today March 27th/06).

Friday March 24, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Many thanks to all for sending in your reports and photo’s of the Etobicoke peregrine nest site. You can’t imagine my surprised to have received more than 386 e-mails, advising us of the Etobicoke female’s activity on the nest tray yesterday, with some incredible photo’s attached. Sadly, we can’t post all of the photo’s, but I will attempt to review as many of your e-mail as I can, and the photo’s attached, to identify the best one’s of the female laying her egg.
It has been confirmed via the Etobicoke web camera, that the adult female has just produced her first egg at the Etobicoke nest site!
Congratulations Etobicoke.

Monday January 23, 2006

Thursday November 24, 2005
Mark Nash reports: It would appear that the past few weeks have been busy times at the Etobicoke nest site. For the past several days, both adults have been very active on the nest ledge, particularly in the morning hours. It would appear that another peregrine intruder has also been aggressively trying to take over the nest ledge these past few days, as I have witnessed some very incredible territorial behaviour on behalf of our resident pair. Sadly, I was not quick enough to capture a shot with the three adults on the nest ledge while they were on camera to capture the fighting that appears to have been be going on.

I did although capture a shot of one of the adult peregrines roosting on the nest tray, seemingly somewhat disgusted with all of the snow that had accumulated on the nest ledge during the recent snow storm. Sadly, I missed another adult in the same scene roosting on the top of the camera, where you could clearly see its tail feathers in part of the view, with the other adult still roosting on the edge of the nest tray. It appears that our guys are hanging pretty close to home with the unknown intruder in the area. I have enclosed one of the photos that I was able to snap in time.

Monday September 5, 2005
Linda Woods reports: Webcam has returned to updated views. While in Etobicoke, only one adult was in view and sitting on the camera.

Thursday September 1, 2005
Mark Nash reports: With fall just around the corner, reports have been streaming in that things have got very quiet at many of the urban nests sites, and with the absence of the juveniles, it is nice to see at least that many of the urban adults are still on territory, with reports of many of them still spending time on the nest ledges.

Now independent, and hunting on their own, it would appear that many of the juveniles have either moved on, or have dramatically expanded their hunting areas taking them farther away from the home territories. We remember years past, while very closely monitoring some of the peregrine nest sites, we witnessed the adults on more than one occasion actually chasing their offspring out of the territory as October moved in. It is believed that the adults reach a point that they will simply no longer tolerate the harassment for food from their offspring, (in addition to sharing the territory with the kids), and "encourage" their young to move on. Sooner or later, the urge move on overwhelms them, as in the peregrine release sites that we have been doing over the years, the juveniles simply stop returning to the hack boxes for the food being provided by the hack site attendants.

Saturday July 23, 2005
Linda Woods reports: Walking east on Bloor St. from Islington, I wasn't seeing any activity from any of the peregrines. But as I approached the east side of the east tower, two birds came into view. Both landed on the nest ledge and immediately one of them took off. A lot of vocalization was heard, and of course one look with the binoculars confirmed it was a juvenile.
Vocalization continued with no reaction from the adult. The juvenile was making itself appear very small and had it's feathers all poofed out ( very chick like) all to no avail. The adult wasn't buying it. Eventually the juvenile gave up.
After re-setting the computer and web image. I was back on the street to find the adult had moved onto the camera and juvenile was not in view.

Bruce Massey reports: Upon arrival at at Etobicoke, I found one of the adults on the South-West side of the nest building, the other adult on the North side, and all I could not confirm I am pretty sure that I and a an immature flying out on the top of the North side at roof level. I spent about an hour to hour 15 minutes in the area.

Thursday June 30, 2005
Linda Woods reports: When I left downtown after visiting the Sheraton nest site the weather was pleasantly cool, arriving in Etobicoke it was hot and smoggy.
Lola and Adrianna were seen on the west facing ledge of the nest building. Adult male was on the ADP sign, and the adult female was on the south facing ledge. The juvenile male "Anthony" made a fly by appearance and set down on the west roof top ledge of the nest building. All three went were seen flying together, the two females were doing the "talon thing" in the air, which is very frightening , until they let go and regain control. The young male was seen pestering the adult male. All peregrines accounted for.
I rebooted the computer and went back to street level for a last look. All birds were out of sight and probably out of the sun.

Bruce Massey reports: Upon arriving at Etobicoke, I found one immature on the South face of the nest building, and the other two on the North side. Both parents were also in attendance, and by the end of my observations two of the birds were kiting and chasing each other down near Bloor and Islington.

Wednesday June 29, 2005
Bruce Massey reports: 7:00p.m.
All three juveniles are accounted for at the Bloor and Islington site. A little activity seen, but nothing to make note of.

Sunday June 26, 2005
Guylaine Drolet reports: 7:15 PM
Upon arrival, within 5 minutes, I had visual of one of the juveniles on the W. corner ledge, one ledge from the nest box. An adult was also there, looks like a snack might have just been served to Anthony. This must be my lucky day, right about on to the roof top, a ledge over left, Adrianna and Lola, side by side, kacking loudly at their brother and mother below. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw "something" land on the NW window ledge of C#1 and sure thing, it was daddy. All birds accounted for, my job here is done. Off to MEC I go.

Saturday June 25, 2005
Linda Woods reports: Bruce Massey did a spot check this morning, at 05:30 a.m. and found the bird that had come low on Friday evening was now back up to the higher elevations and was doing fine. When he left Etobicoke on Saturday morning all three juveniles were in view.

Mark Noseworthy reports: 3:30 pm.
Two juveniles flew north towards the Clarica Centre towers as soon as I arrived. One landed on the centre tower roof and the other landed on the west ledge of the east tower. Five minutes later, Anthony flew to the roof of the centre tower, but he didn’t join his sister.

4:15 pm.
The juvenile female on the centre tower roof flew to the east ledge of the west tower. Five minutes later I saw Anthony take a spectacular flight across the south side of the centre tower, up past the west side of the building and keep going due north to the condo building visible between the west and centre towers. The sister on the west tower flew towards her brother on the condo building, and they flew together for a minute or two. Although I had to run to get a good view (the towers are awfully big!), I was able to see that they circled the condo building together at least once. At this time, I saw one of the adults flying with the air current and watching the two airborne juveniles.

4:35
The female on the east tower (the western face) was still there, seemingly enjoying her time in the sun – her wings were down and out, and she was facing in towards the building wall. Everyone else was trying to get out of the sun, however, and that included one of this juvenile’s parents. One of the adults was enjoying quiet time in the shade and was also taking advantage of an empty nest – it was sitting on the nest ledge, right where the nest tray is. It was there for at least ten minutes, and was still there when I left to return to Mississauga. As I was gathering my stuff to go back to my car, Anthony, or the sister that had joined him in flight earlier, flew back towards the towers and made a sharp turn to the east to land on the roof of the Bloor St. condo building just east of the Clarica Centre towers. I heard no vocalizing at all from the Etobicoke peregrines while I was there.

Guylaine Drolet reports: 7 PM - 7:30 PM
Quick stop at Etobicoke. Walked around the back alley and spotted one juvenile perched at the window ledge of Clarica #1 (right at Islington & Bloor). Walking back West on Bloor street, I saw Wendy, who had been there for at least 4 hours. She was missing one juvenile. We both walked back towards Eagle road and that's when Bruce showed up.

Check up on the first Juvenile I saw, I spotted a second one. Perched on the same building, at the roof top facing North. I decided to stay put and watch these two while Bruce and Wendy took a walk (W) in the alley to try and locate the 3rd juvenile...

As I was watching the other two, I got very lucky and noticed Juvenile #3 perched on top of a chimney on C#2 (middle building). I had all 3 juveniles in my view and whistled as hard as I could to get Bruce and Wendy's attention so that they could simply walk back to my area.

All 3 birds accounted for. Time to go.

Friday June 24, 2005
Linda Woods reports: A great day for flying and our little juvenile male ( Anthony) has taken to the skies. What entertainment! He likes to taunt his sisters that remain on the other towers, by stooping them and then landing beside them and taking off again. Many bursts of the adults flying with the little guy. Food exchange has been seen to my amazement at this stage of his flying skills. He is really doing so well and it is pure enjoyment to see.

The two females are not faring well at this stage. I would expect to see them flying a little more, but they have remained on the centre tower and occasionally one will jump over to the west tower. Food drops are made to the juvenile females and both have been seen eating. Regarding Anthony and food, well he just follows the adults to where they take it and he helps himself. No problem with this little guy.

Wednesday June 22, 2005
Linda Woods reports: Sad News
We have had our first fatality today as a result of building impact. The youngest female peregrine, named "Alexandra," had taken a short flight in which she was gradually losing height. She came to rest on the south side of the Bell building and stayed there for most of the day.

At 4:00 p.m. she lit off and headed towards the east tower. She did not gain a lot of height nor speed and made full impact, head first into the front of the Clarica Centre East tower (nest building). I witnessed the collision and was able to quickly retrieve the body for OMNR. Mark Nash was called immediately and OMNR was informed. It was very obvious the young fledgling died of fatal neck injuries.

Lola and Adrianna have been taking very short flights, and at one time Adrianna disappeared from view for a very long time, only to show up when a meal was being served on the west tower. The two remaining sisters spent the night on the west tower after the adult female brought food to them.

The juvenile male "Anthony," who I have lovingly nicknamed little mister "I can fly," has been, for the most part, flying well. Still having a slight problem with the landings, but that is natural for this age. He is a joy to watch, especially around 6:00 p.m. Let's hope for the best for the remaining juveniles, especially the females.

Tuesday June 21, 2005
Linda Woods reports: The longest day of the year, in more ways than one. The last female to fly took flight early this morning. A short little jaunt over to the west condo tower. All four juveniles have now taken flight. Not a lot of activity this morning. Standard flights by the adults and the juveniles enjoyed staying put until shortly after lunch, when a female attempted a flight from the east condo tower and back to the nest ledge.

She missed the landing and did the Bat cling on the wall adjacent to the nest ledge. She pushed off and glided high above Bloor St. and lost some altitude and came to rest on the south facing French balcony of the west condo tower. She was not comfortable there, but did see where she wanted to be and pushed away from the metal railing. Losing more height, she drifted in between the east office tower and the condo units, losing more height.

She finally set down on a lower balcony and was caught up in the pigeon netting on the condo unit. The bird did not do a lot of struggling. The condo unit owner, a very brave person, knew the young bird needed some assistance and came to the rescue. She gently untangled the netting from the bird's talon, and the bird was free to go.

The bird headed north and ended up on another balcony with a glass railing. Now she was trapped again, and was unable to fly through the see-through barrier. A retrieval was in order, and security was contacted at this residential unit.
(MANY THANKS TO THE CONDO OWNER FOR THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION AND TO JACK (SECURITY) FOR HIS ASSISTANCE)

Mark Heaton, of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, was called immediately, and was made aware of the situation with the bird and the people on site. I was briefed on OMNR standards and protocols regarding retrieval and then given permission to proceed with retrieving this young bird. All went well and was uneventful. The bird is Adrianna, a second retrieval for this bird.

On quick assessment there wasn't any evidence of any trauma to the bird except its ego. And I am sure that will heal very quickly. The bird was kept in a rescue crate where it had time to settle down. Mark Nash did a pre-release assessment of the bird and it was good to go. It was released on an adjacent roof top without any complications. And of course just when you think all is well, another juvenile attempts a return to the nest ledge from the condo units. It missed the landing and it too did the "Bat" thing on the wall between the panels of windows. It pushed off and flew westward along Bloor St. losing altitude the whole time. It came to rest on the stair case leading to the Fitness centre.

Mark Nash retrieved the bird and discovered that he had the honour of reuniting with "Lola" ( Lucky Mark). Uninjured, and the bird was fine as well, he made his way back to the roof. Waiting till dark gives the young bird time to settle down,and there is less chance of the bird bolting off the release area. All went well and was uneventful. Hopefully tomorrow they'll be flying well. The other two juveniles are doing fine so far.
Thanks Frank, we had a great conversation.

Monday June 20, 2005
Linda Woods reports: After receiving the news that "Lola" had come down to street level during the night, my first check of the day was on her. I didn't even get as far as lifting the towel to take a peek and she hissed at me. Enough, she's fine.

Out to Eagle Road, where I met Frank. He's been reading the website and thought he would partake in the action. I found Adrianna still on the west tower, where Mark Nash and myself placed her after dark the evening before. We have been given permission to place coloured electrical tape over the silver band, for easier identification. Adrianna was assigned "red" and Lola was assigned "yellow." The tape was applied after the downed bird was picked up and quickly assessed for injuries, and while the bird was still somewhat "dazed" from all the "first flight" excitement.

Adrianna spent the day walking the rim of the upper penthouse of the west office tower. The adults, still in an "on guard" stance from all the running off of predators, took flight a few times to chase off "things" in the distance. The day was somewhat uneventful, and I was not able to confirm if and when food went into the ledge.

Late in the afternoon, the adults took a keen sense of interest in Adrianna on the west tower. The interaction I saw today between the adults and this one bird was incredibly amazing. The adults were encouraging her to fly. The adult female sat near her and gently flapped her wings, as if to show her "not too hard." The male would sit on the other side as if to show her support. They would lift off, glide in a short circle and come back to her, each time a little closer to the nest building. If Adrianna did not respond, they would sit and do the routine again. Eventually, Adrianna did lift off and surprisingly she made it all the way from the west tower to the east tower without losing any altitude. It was just incredible to see.

Mark arrived shortly after all this; too bad - he would have really enjoyed seeing that. Lola was due for release and she didn't lose any of her "vinegar." A quick inspection from Mark and it was determined that she was good to go. Up to the west tower roof, Mark radioed to say he was clear of the roof and she may go off. Instead, she walked along the upper rim as well, and came to stop on the south-east side, perfect for me to see her take flight and was screaming for the adults. A pigeon, curious to see what the fuss was about, approached her and in one quick move, she dropped kicked this pigeon. I could see that the one swipe did do some "hurt" to the pigeon's wing. The pigeon did not move away, but tried to flapped it's now droopy wing. Another swipe by Lola and the pigeon dropped below the short level. Lola followed the pigeon to below the roof line, in a full pounce position. A few seconds later, Lola appeared back on the level and the pigeon did not.

Lola eventually took flight off the west tower and came to rest on the roof top of the nest building. She walked and screamed till she joined Adrianna. The two did the beak tapping and were finally reunited, and then Lola took a swipe at Adrianna. I will tell you, this Lola is no "showgirl." But that was the worst of the ordeal for both, and they quickly started screaming for food. Both adults were seen out hunting but food was not delivered. And finally Anthony took flight again and over to the east condos and back again and he joined his sisters on the roof top. This is the first flight for him in two days.

All that is left to fledge is Alexandra. She looked a little forlorn after having the brother all to herself, she was now all alone for the night. When closing the site for the night. Mark and I determined that Lola, with the yellow I.D., Adrianna, with the red, and Anthony, were all on the roof. Alexandra was still in the nest ledge and the adults were accounted for nearby. A fantastic evening of flying and the best of shows for the adults and their interaction with the young juveniles. I'm hoping the remainder of the watch goes just as well.

Sunday June 19, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 09:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Bruce Massey was covering the very early shift, from 05:00a.m. until my arrival at 09:30. When he arrived on site, he found our first female fledge from yesterday afternoon still low on the Squire and Firkin roof-top. At 5:45, a second female took flight, or should we say floated, from the ledge down to a tree on the north side of Bloor St. My first look at the tree bird had me question whether the bird was alive. She had her chin resting on a twig, her body hammocked between two larger twigs, her right wing draped over stems of leaves, eye lids closed, and her beak slightly ajar ( I think I might have even seen a drop of drool), and she was SLEEPING! I guess you make do with what's available.

The afternoon had the adults chasing down TVs. Mark Nash witnessed the adults impacting a Turkey Vulture so hard that it dropped out of the sky, straight down, with wings folded. The next attacks were a Red tail, more Turkey Vultures, and then an Osprey off to the west. The adults must be exhausted. They no longer got back to the nest building and then they were off again, full speed and kaking.

Squire girl made her second flight from the Squire and Firkin, across Bloor and over the condos, where she sat, attempted a third flight, and lost some elevation; she came to rest on a lower balcony. She took flight again and ended up on the mezzanine level of the Clarica Centre, she then footed her way along the wall and at dark was snuggled in on a window ledge on the north side of Bloor St.

Tree bird took a second short flight in and around the same time to the south side of Bloor and then over to the Bell Building and then off again. I saw her flutter her wings and saw her tail feathers fanned, and I had thought she had landed in a tree directly behind the Bell building. But after searching and only coming up with a Grackle in a tree, I radioed Mark and told him I was leaving cards with the neighbors. Mark informed me that he had a "Grey Lady Down" - Mark had one on the wall and one on the sidewalk, going for a stroll down Bloor St. Bell bird had tucked her wings in at the time; I saw them flutter and she flew over to the north side of Bloor. Mark and I initiated a "pick up" - the female was placed in the rescue box, for rest. Mark determined that the young girl was not injured, but was just exhausted, and she was released after dark on another roof-top near the nest building.

Surprisingly, our young male (the first to fledge and the one that is flying so well), had not left the nest ledge at all today. He stayed behind to keep his younger, unfledged, sister company. I thought it was really strange, but the day was overcast and cool for the most part, the adults were forever in an alert state and were sounding off for most of the day, I guess this kept the two on the ledge.

Bruce departed around 5:30p.m. and Mark and I closed the watch at 10:30 p.m. A great day! Lots of activity, lots of chasing by the adults. Once again, many thanks to all those who stopped by to check on the progress, especially the folks at the "Office Bar and Grill" and the lady from the Squire and Firkin.
Yesterday, I failed to mention Jeannie, who passes by every day and waves hello.

Saturday June 18, 2005
Linda Woods reports: OUR SECOND FLEDGE OF THE SEASON, and first of the females to fly.

Many visitors to the watch today; it was really nice to see Terry and Elizabeth, Margaret and her husband, Mark Noseworthy, Glen Pye and his staff, Mark and Marion, Rob and his two sons, Dennis from next door, and many of the patrons from the local establishments dropping by to get updates on the status of the young birds.

Arriving at Eagle Road, Mark Noseworthy had all four juveniles in the nest ledge and the adults in view. Our little "Anthony" was still in sight and had not ventured out at the crack of dawn, like I had anticipated. The day remained overcast and abnormally cool for this time of the year which kept both the adults and juveniles from showing us any great amount of flying skills.

The first female to fly went around 1:30p.m. She floated down and came to rest on a lower elevation on the south side of Bloor street, where she stayed for the remainder of the day and will spend the night there. The adults are aware of her location and the young female can see the nest ledge and all the food being flown in to feed her siblings.

In the mean time, little Anthony is having a great ol' time flying from ledge to roof top and his landings are improving. He is still is a little unsteady when the wind gusts, but is getting the hang of it.

On closing the watch this evening, the only juvenile out of the nest was the recent fledge. The other juveniles had snuggled in on the nest ledge. CPF staff are informed of the last location. The local police had stopped by and watched us watch the peregrines; they were informed of our purpose for being there. They were very supportive and understanding and will contact us if they have reports of unusual birds down in the area.

Hopefully she'll stay put for the night and not take off before the crack of dawn. Most difficult for this site because of all the ambient light being cast of the street from the office towers and street lights.

Friday June 17, 2005
Linda Woods reports: I arrived at Eagle Road, with a game plan in mind, and where I should send people to look for the first fledgling. But first things first..... "Check the ledge and count the heads"..... One, two, three, four, .... FOUR! The little guy made it back to the ledge! And it was the male that took flight, not a female which I had mistakenly reported yesterday. The young male's name is Anthony.

This is wonderful news. After discovering his whereabouts, some of the volunteers departed and would be available should we need the extra assistance. Most will be helping out at the other watches over the next few weeks at other locations. We were all very pleased.

With the assistance of another curious on looker and her power scope, I was able to see that the adult female is unbanded. It was turning out to be a perfect peregrine day and it just got better from then on.

Today we saw some wonderful flying skills from the young male - no hesitation on landings or take offs. His flights are level and he doesn't appear to be doing a lot of flapping to get from point A to point B. He appears to be very confident. And although he is flying very well, he may get too confident and collide with a structure. More observation on this guy is needed, just to be sure he rounds the corners OK. He has returned to the nest ledge numerous times, rests for an hour or so and then off again.

The young females are beginning to pick up the frequency of flapping and running the ledge. They see their brother out there having a wonderful time with his newly acquired skill and are anxious to join him. Only one of the young females has just a hint of white on her, so they should be going any day now. Just a wonderful day and lots of entertainment for the crowd at the "Office Bar and Grill" They got the air show they have been waiting for. And as the juveniles begin to fly the air shows will increase.

Mark Nash and I closed the site around 9:30 p.m., after the female dropped food on the ledge, and the kids had their fill and snuggled in for the night.

Thursday June 16, 2005
Linda Woods reports: Upon arriving on site, all three juveniles were still on the ledge, but our first fledgling had moved off the condo tower. With all the rain during the night, I suspect she tried to find cover. We did a grand search of the area, but found nothing unusual. The remainder of the day, was uneventful.

The three remaining juveniles are ready to go any day. Their activity on the ledge has increased now that the weather has cooled. Running of the ledge, flap, flap, flap, and some vocalization. The adult female even "spoon fed" them late this evening and they all settled down by 8:30p.m. I suspect that the missing bird may be on the roof of the office tower. The adult female seems to be spending most of the day facing inwards to the roof. No unusual behavior from the adults was seen today, so we were unable to determine where the young one is hiding out.
Tomorrow we will try again and hopefully the juvenile will begin vocalizing for food.

Wednesday June 15, 2005
Linda Woods reports: The First Fledge Of The Season!

This evening at 6:20p.m. as one of the females was flapping at the edge of the nest ledge, a gust of wind gave the young bird, a few inches of "lift". but after the momentary elevation, she missed her footing and slipped down to the slanted glass below the nest area. She held on for a few seconds and then released her grip. Flying across Bloor St. to the south side, she turned and headed back in the direction of the nest ledge, maintaining her height the entire time.
She eventually came to rest on the west condo tower, south side, four floors from the top.
The remaining juveniles didn't know what to think of this and quickly became very quiet until food was brought in around 8:30p.m.
Both adults are in the area and know where the first fledgling is spending the night.
We closed the watch out for the day around 10:15 p.m.
Security is aware of our presence and has been informed of the status of the first fledgling.
Wonderful first flight.

Tuesday June 14, 2005
Linda Woods reports: No change, a lot of activity from the adults, running off gulls, and chasing off roof top "predators" next door. Heat continues but they are forecasting a break in the humidity tonight. Perhaps tomorrow the oldest male will take his first flight. As of 6:50 p.m. All four were still on the ledge.

Monday June 13, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 09:30 - 4:30
Another repeat, although the little guy was more active today than I have seen him recently, I did think he might have gone late in the afternoon. Storm clouds moving in and I guess the adults were keeping them back from the ledge.
Today was very much like the past two days.

Sunday June 12, 2005
Bruce Massey reports: I arrived at about 08 30 hours, and started off by setting the scope up at Eagle Road about one block South of Bloor St.. This gives me enough of a distance to see into the back of the nest ledge. Initially, I only saw three eyases, and one bird on the top of the building. By going over to Bloor Street, I determined that the bird on the top of the roof was an adult. This meant I was missing one eyas. After walking around for about half an hour, the little guy turned up on the ledge and he must have been lying down in the Nest Box. During this time, the adults were flying around the area, chased off one gull, and caught one pigeon that was foolish enough to land atop the roof beside the adult. It was the female, that chased and caught the pigeon. I stayed at the nest site for about three and a half hours till Linda relieved me.

Linda Woods reports: 10:30 a.m. - 6:45p.m.
A lot of sitting around, a little lying around, move to another location and some fighting for shade. That was my day in Etobicoke. The four chicks didn't fair much better. The adult female came in and fed them last time around 4:00 p.m.
It was a good long feed. I haven't seen the chicks do a lot of wing flapping or running of the ledge and getting some lift. The air is just dead in this heat, although the adults have been floating around and running off gulls. Very entertaining!
The oldest is a male and is expected to go any day.

Saturday June 11, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 7:00p.m.
All four juveniles were fed by their mother at 6:30p.m. while the adult male kept watch from the roof top of the Clarica Centre. Lots of flying by the adults, swooping and diving and a straight down chase of a small bird. A little more flapping activity from the juveniles early this evening.

09:30 - 2:45
The juveniles were not all that active during this time period. But the adults are certainly teasing me. Both adults are luring the juveniles. The male would bring prey to the ledge, take off and sit on the east ledge. The female was doing the "touch and go" at the nest ledge. Both adults were swooping the ledge, early in the morning. Lots of acrobatic flying by the adults, but the flight demonstrations were not making an impression on the juveniles. The juveniles preferred to stay well back of the edge, I guess in case they "fell off." Not a lot of wing flapping, just a few bursts by one bird or the other. Of course the oldest is a male and he has only a little fluff on him. The others look pretty much all the same, some fluff on the wings, backside and the top of the head. Very hot and no shade, people venturing out to the watch sites should have a chair, sun umbrella and lots of water.

Friday June 10, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 6:30p.m.
After staring at the picture on the web cam, I was hoping they were all there and haven't decided to take off with out me as they did last year. All four present and accounted for, as of 6:30p.m. Yeah!

Monday June 6, 2005

Sunday June 5, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 09:00
The official Etobicoke Watch will start this Saturday. Everyone have their Binoculars ready? The home base again this year will be at Eagle Road and Bloor Sts. Look for us in that area, if you have not already signed up to participate. If you are interested in participating, you must email me directly at Linda@peregrine-foundation.ca or drop by the Eagle Road location at 10:00a.m.
Everyone, it's going to be very hot this week-end, please wear a hat.

Thursday June 2, 2005
Linda Woods reports: Tomorrow's the big day for our youngsters in Etobicoke. At 2:30 p.m. they can be seen sleeping in the shade of the nest tray. They are growing very quickly and soon they'll be taking their first flights. If anyone has an hour or so a day and would like to assist us in observing the young birds take their first flights, please email Linda@peregrine-foundation.ca

Any observations will be of great help.
Hope to see everyone at the banding.

Monday May 30, 2005

Saturday May 28, 2005
Linda Woods reports: A quick look at the nest area from Eagle Road. Adult seen leaving the nest ledge and fly over to the roof of the condos to the east.
The young ones are growing fast and their appearance is changing everyday. Please join us on June 3rd in the East Tower Lobby for the public banding. Start time is 10:00a.m. You'll be able to see, up close, how much the four little ones have changed.

Friday May 27, 2005
Webmaster's note: The date and location of the banding of the chicks has been confirmed. The Etobicoke babies will be banded on June the 3rd in the East Tower lobby of the Clarica Centre - outside of All Trans Financial. The ceremony will take place at 10 am., and, we are happy to say, will be open to the public! Please feel encouraged to come out to see the chicks and the banding process.

Thursday May 19, 2005
Chrissie Venditti reports: As of 11:45 Thursday morning May 19th both mom and dad left the nest (to get food I assume) and here's the picture I managed to get! There are definately 4...no question!!

Thursday May 12, 2005
Nicholas Rutkay reports: I just thought I'd send you this picture I got of the webcam this morning. I still can't see how many chicks there are because they are still standing together, but I think I see at least 3 heads.

Wednesday May 11, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 11:30
Lunch is served, all looks well.

Tuesday May 10, 2005
Chrissie Venditti reports: Just want to let you know that I have been watching ALL weekend trying to get a glimps of the chicks to see how many there are, and I FINALLY got a great shot. I just wanted to send it in to you to see if you could use it! I've been watching for weeks and am so excited to finally see them. They look fairly big, so I wonder when the hatched. I had checked early saturday evening and I could see 2 small chicks...now it appears that there may be 4. ENJOY! THANKS! Chrissie
Ps- Thanks so much for keeping this site up and running! We all appreciate your efforts so that we may enjoy this!! :-)

Monday May 9, 2005
Linda Woods reports: I was out to Etobicoke a few times last week. The one day Dan and I only saw that when the Male approached the female would not get off the nest. We thought then that a hatch was very soon. But I think, by the looks of the chicks on Friday or Saturday, that they had already hatched. I think it was Saturday, noon, I saw there were 3; I just happened to click on the camera to see if it was still sending an image, and I was shocked to see the adult with food in the nest tray and 3 upright chicks (tight together). I called Paul to check to see if he was seeing the same thing and he concurred that he was. My guess was that it was during the camera being down, and it's been down so many times and then rebooted. Either Monday or Tuesday of last week was the first hatch.

Sunday May 8, 2005
Nicholas Rutkay reports: There are multiple hatches at Etobicoke! I have no clue when they hatched but there is more than one chick hatched at the nest. Take a look at the photo for yourself. I think there is about 3 of them who have hatched.

Thursday May 5, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 2:00 - 6:00p.m.
Dan Gill and myself spent the afternoon trouble shooting the computer and why it would not send an image to the internet. Dan discovered that it was the modem. He replaced the modem and several tries later and a lot finger crossing, he got it up and running.
During this time we were able to see, on occasion what was happening on the ledge. The male did come to the nest and want to take his turn at incubating, but the female ( Angel) would not have it. The male then took off to sit on the camera, with his tail feathers just catching a corner of the camera viewing area.
Doesn't appear to be a hatch yet. Soon.
Many Thanks to Dan Gill for his assistance at this important time of the peregrine year.

Thursday April 21, 2005

Saturday April 9, 2005
Nicholas Rutkay reports: I had a chance to see the eggs while the adults were off the nest and I can see 4 eggs in there.