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Uptown Toronto Nest Site Reports: |
Sunday September 02, 2007
(The Webmaster reports:) The 2007 Uptown Toronto Photo Gallery has been created.
Monday July 23, 2007
Alex Barmi reports: Yesterday, July 22 at around noon we came back home from a walk and there was a peregrine falcon sitting on our balcony railing. We got some good pictures of it, which allowed us to identify what it was. It sat there for ten minutes that we were there and then flew away when my daughter got close to the closed sliding, glass door. I've attached a number of photos. FYI, we're on the 28th floor of a condo building at Yonge St. between Sheppard and the 401.
Unfortunately the band on the bird's left leg is only barely visable in the last two pictures we took. Using some photo editing software I zoomed in to see if any numbering was legible, but it was not.
Thursday May 17, 2007
Linda Woods reports: Yonge and Englinton
Numerous requests for an update for this area have come into the office. I have been to this site a few times and each time I haven't seen any peregrines.
Perhaps with the failed nests in the last few years, the pair have moved to a better area. There is a pair at Bloor and Avenue Road ( Four Seasons Hotel) but their identity has not been confirmed. Maybe it is Ranger and Hunter. We'll have to wait until we get band numbers.
Sunday June 25, 2006
Lyn T. reports: Today I chanced to check the peregrine ledge at Yonge & Eglinton.
At 8:33 am I saw a falcon on the ledge where the nest was.
At 8:34 am it flew to the south end of the TTC building at Yonge and Eglinton and perched on the roof. It was looking around. There was not a pigeon in sight. Only a gull was flying – and high at that.
At 8:37 am it flew north over Yonge Street and then west over Eglinton.
Sunday June 18, 2006
Mark Nash reports: Sadly I must we must report that it appears the Ranger and Hunter have not been successful this year in hatching any of their eggs. While it still remains a mystery as to why this nest site (and this pair) has not been successful, the pair has certainly been very diligent in their efforts. Again this year, the pair has completed a full incubation cycle of more than 40 days, and still remains true to the territory.
Ranger and Hunter have been nesting at this location since 2002, and have produced a clutch of eggs each year that have failed to hatch. We can hope that they will try again next year with better success.
Tuesday May 30, 2006
Michelle Mazepa reports: After more than 54 days of full time incubation, Ranger and Hunter are still incubating their clutch of eggs. This pair has been incredibly diligent in their efforts to incubate and hatch their eggs.
It is very sad indeed that they have tried so hard over the years without success to produce a family.
Wednesday April 12, 2006
Michelle Mazepa reports: Good news!
In a rare moment when the mother was away from the nest, we noticed that there are four eggs, so she must have produced the fourth either Friday afternoon or over the weekend.
Sunday April 9, 2006
Michelle Mazepa reports: The female had produced three eggs by Wednesday, so we expected another on Friday, but she spent almost the entire day on the nest. It looks like she is incubating full time now, and there will not be a fourth egg. Not much to do now except wait.
Tuesday April 4, 2006
Michelle Mazepa reports: Today while the female was away from the ledge, we saw that there are two eggs so far, and she has been spending quite a bit of time on the nest. Unfortunately, the nearest desk is very close to the window, and I can tell by the birds' behaviour that they can see us inside (they have made direct eye contact with us). I will keep my fingers crossed too and try to gently keep tabs on her. And if she's successful, I'll report the hatchlings right away.
Sunday April 2, 2006
Michelle Mazepa reports: The female has chosen her nest spot, so I put some cardboard up against the window to give her some [privacy]. I will explain to everyone in my work area the importance of letting her be.
I'll keep in touch.
Monday March 27, 2006
Michelle Mazepa reports: I took some photos of the two falcons who visit the ledge outside one of the offices on the 18th floor of 2180 Yonge Street. It seems this pair have taken to using the ledge to sleep, perch, and also for mealtime (which makes my coworker whose desk is next to the window a little squeamish! - there are some remnants of former meals (tail feathers and feet) on the ledge).
Tuesday March 14, 2006
Gail Prussky reports: Just wanted to say that there's always plenty of peregrine activity in the Yonge-Eglinton area. Two weeks ago a peregrine hit a pigeon right above my head as I walked down Yonge Street. The pigeon fell to the ground, and I guess that the peregrine decided there was too much human activity around to go after it...
And about ten days ago a peregrine sat in my neighbour's yard, with a female cardinal in its talons. I wouldn't have seen it, except a male cardinal was making such a ruckus, it got my attention....
Monday January 16, 2006
Mike Fitzpatrick reports: I've been watching a peregrine(s) regularly in the mornings as I walk to
the Eglinton Subway.(first noticed them Sept 2005)
Have seen fairly regular activity all fall, with last sighting being Jan 10 at approx 8:00am, perched atop the northwest corner of the TTC / Canadian Tire building. To date I have witnessed a couple of dives with one spectacular pigeon hit.
Monday July 4, 2005
Margo Gerrard-Fletcher reports: Looks like mom's abandoned the nest. There are three eggs still there but we haven't seen either of them for over a week now.
Wednesday June 8, 2005
Margo Gerrard-Fletcher reports: I have a bit of a concern here.
The mother is still sitting on the nest. From what we've been able to see, there are still 3 eggs in the nest. Is this normal?
Mark Nash replies: While this sometimes happens after a failed hatch, the female usually consumes the unhatched eggs after they have gone past their hatch date. Ranger and Hunter have a history of this, although I must say that your pair are VERY DETERMINED INDEED!! If this is still the eggs remaining from the first clutch, she has gone WAY OVER the 33 to 35 day incubation period. They did this last year, then consumed the eggs, and later re-clutched.
But this is truly amazing given that if this is still the first set of eggs, your female has now been incubating them for almost 60 days!!! Our records indicate that your reports of four eggs on the scrape were being incubated as of April 13th
Sadly, if this is still the first set of eggs, and the female has not re-clutched, she will not re-clutch and lay a second set of eggs until the first set have gone. That's the biology.
It is not too late in the season to re-clutch and lay another set of eggs (she has already proven that given last year's activities).
Our fingers are crossed......
Monday May 30, 2005
Margo Gerrard-Fletcher reports: Bad news. No hatch and mom's started eating the eggs. Three are currently in the nest and she's munching on the first one now.
How disappointing.
Wednesday May 18, 2005
Margo Gerrard-Fletcher reports: No hatch yet. I suspect it'll happen during the long weekend. Our fingers are all crossed.
Monday April 18, 2005
Carol Shevlin reports: After multiple sightings for two days last week, the young falcon has not returned (my husband says it's because I brought my camera in on the third day...). Flocking to this building [5160 Yonge St.], therefore, would be fruitless, though keeping a lookout in the Yonge area from Sheppard to Finch might be worthwhile.
Wednesday April 13, 2005
Mark Nash reports: Now 4 Eggs:
We have just received great news that the birds are currently incubating
4 eggs at the Yonge and Eglinton nest site.
Our fingers are crossed that they are successful with a hatch this
year!!
Stay tuned for more information that hopefully will follow ......
Hello All
We have just had confirmed news and updated information from Margo at
Canadian Tire that Ranger and Hunter have in fact laid four eggs, and
have started their full time incubation. The pair have decided to
return to the west side of the building on the same ledge on the 18th
that the pair chose in 2002.
Tuesday April 12, 2005
Carol Shevlin reports: I work at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario at 5160 Yonge St.
(at Empress).
For the past two days a peregrine falcon has been perching on the
building outside my 17th floor window.
I've looked at your photo gallery and it looks like an immature bird to
me - lots of white around the head, white and brown patterns to the
feathers.
Wednesday April 06, 2005
Mark Nash reports: First Eggs!!
While the report is far from being detailed, we have have received news
that the peregrines at the mid-town Toronto Yonge and Eglinton nest site
has at least 2 eggs. We're hoping that additional information will be available shortly.
Stay tuned......
Tuesday June 29, 2004
Mark Nash reports:
We are truly saddened to say that it appears that the nest site of Hunter
and Ranger has failed once again this year. Now a week overdue hatching
after their full time incubation started, it has gone past the hatch date.
The eggs have disappeared one by one throughout the the week, as it appears
that they have been eaten by the female. This is quite normal for the adult
female to eat the eggs after they have failed to hatch, and gone this long
overdue. We shall cross our fingers for next year. Both birds are still
very much around and territorial in the area.
Wednesday April 14, 2004
Mark Nash reports:
We have received great news from our good friends at Canadian Tire, in that there is now five eggs on the nest
ledge at the Uptown nest site at Yonge and Eglinton. We all have our fingers crossed this year for a successful
hatch for Ranger and Hunter. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Mark Nash reports:
We have just received wonderful news from Canadian Tire that Ranger and Hunter have laid
their first egg, and their nesting season has begun. We are all hoping that this will be
the year for them to raise their first offspring.
Monday March 29, 2004
Mark Nash reports:
It appears that BOTH Hunter and Ranger are once again making themselves available for a
photo shoot of a life time!!
As you can see by the new photos, Todd is in a great position to snap a photos of the the pair. Perched directly outside his office window, Ranger and Hunter have been spending much of the past week focusing their attention on two of the same ledges that they laid eggs on in the past seasons. It would appear that they have yet to make a decision as to which ledge they might use should they set up house and lay eggs again this year. As you can see by the photos, everyone (including both Ranger and Hunter) is watching very closely!
Sunday March 28, 2004
Bruce Massey reports:
I spent several hours again this weekend at the uptown nest site today, and it appears
that the adult pair are once again favouring the south west side of the TVO building, as
their activities seemed to be concentrated and focused on this side. This is the
ledge on which they first laid eggs in 2002.
Both adults were observed roosting and perching on this corner, but it does not appear that they are down on eggs as yet.
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Jeff Zweifel reports:
Hello, attached is a picture of a juvenile red-tailed hawk perched on our
balcony this morning
on Erskine Ave, Toronto. very close to the territorial pair at Yonge and
Eglinton.
Lets hope that he keeps his distance in the future weeks, and the peregrines
will be on patrol for sure.
Sunday March 07, 2004
Tom Kearney reports:
I spotted a pair of falcons on a ledge above the top floor windows, the
Toronto Transit Commission headquarters building, Yonge and Davisville, at
approximately 11:15 a.m. They were on the eastern side,
facing Yonge, the south end of this side.
Wednesday July 30, 2003
Mark Nash reports:
Hello All. I have just received news that as of Friday of last week, one of the four
eggs are gone, and both Ranger and Hunter have once again lost interest in
incubating. It would appear that she has started to eat the eggs once
again. This indicates that the second clutch of eggs are not likely fertile.
It was very late in the season to start a second clutch, and remember that
this pair is still very new, and inexperienced at this whole thing. Quite
often, new pairs are un-successful at their first attempt. The strange
spring weather has also caused some havoc with most of the southern Ontario
peregrines. Most were ALL late in egg producing this spring.
Canadian Tire has given me permission to attend their offices on Thursday, so I might take a look at what's happening.
We now have a good photo gallery of your guys on the CPF web site - Uptown photo gallery.
Saturday July 5, 2003
Linda Woods reports:
6:30 - 8:30 : Paul and I went to the Yonge Street Festival at Eglinton. Not a lot of
activity seen in the area. One peregrine did make an appearance briefly. It approached
the intersection from the east and set down on the building on the north-west side of
the Yonge and Eglinton. It then took off and headed towards the south side of the
nest building. We weren't able to see it enter the nest ledge.
Sunday June 22, 2003
Mark Nash reports:
Great news about Ranger and Hunter at the Toronto Uptown nest site (Yonge & Eglinton)
Canadian Tire and Kolter building. The adults have re-clutched again !!! Typically after
laying the first clutch of eggs, and going through a full incubation period (in their case -
some 38 plus days of incubation), peregrines will not re-clutch and lay a second batch of
eggs this late in the season.
Well, nothing seems to be typical this year with our Ontario Peregrines that's for sure. Ranger and Hunter have moved to the south east corner of the existing nest building and currently incubating 4 eggs - AGAIN for the second time this season!! Hard (full time incubation) started on or before Friday June 20th. We can estimate (based on the reports) that it may have started as early as the 18th of June. Given a 33 to 35 day incubation until a hatch, we can assume a hatch some time between July 21st to July 26th. Banding should be planned in the August 18th to August 23rd time frame, and the fledge watch around Sept. 1st to Sept 6th.
I have notified our Rochester and Ohio friends, and already receiving lots of excited replies from our friends to the south in the USA. Let's cross our fingers (AGAIN) and hope that they were successful this time. You can't say that this pair are quitters, - that's for sure!
Stay tuned.
Thursday June 19, 2003
Rose reports:
Fantastic News - the adults Hunter and Ranger have their second clutch of eggs following the
failure of the first clutch. They have changed nest locations and have moved to the SE corner
of the Canadian Tire Building. There are 4 eggs in the nest currently - and incubation has
started once again.
Tuesday June 17, 2003
Todd Sharman reports:
Ranger has been seen digging rocks in 3 places along the south west side of the 18th floor
2180 Yonge. On Fri June 13, she seemed to have settled on a spot and stayed all day in the
same way she did when she was laying on the 4 eggs on the north-east corner a few weeks back.
On Monday, June 16 am, it appeared that the male was on the nest? (didn't want to get too
close as he or she seemed startled by our presence). No one has witnessed a change of the
guard to see what's there yet. With any luck, they are having another go at it!
Sunday June 15, 2003
Mark Nash reports:
Sadly, the uptown nest site (Ranger and Hunter) was not a success this year. Although
we are all very disappointed by the nest failure, we are very encouraged by the
overall situation.
Ranger and Hunter nested directly outside a window occupied by Todd Sharman, an executive at Canadian Tire. Both Mr. Sharman, and MANY of his staff and corporate office colleagues have been really great and very supportive of the birds. Canadian Tire occupies the entire building, and even the building management company is now warming up to the birds. All the folks at Canadian Tire have been really great, and good foster parents for the birds!! They are in good hands!
Ranger and Hunter went through a full incubation period, (actually over the 35 days). Although she starting eating the eggs, it was well past the incubation period. Both birds held tight until after the incubation period time frame. It would appear that the eggs were not fertilized.
We have had a very odd spring with regards to the weather, the cold, and the dampness. Many of our urban nest site had eggs that were not fertilized and failed to hatch.
With the bad spring weather (or should I say the lack thereof, the photo light and warmer temps., were just not good this year for many of our Ontario peregrine adults.
A most recent count of the territorial adult peregrines in the province of Ontario has the numbers down this year. Only 31 +/- pairs this year. We are now dealing with the West Nile Virus that is just this year expanded to the north Ontario, and very concerned as to what will happen.We must also remember, that both Ranger and Hunter are a new pair, and a young pair at that. Success is not guaranteed. They are both still hanging tight to the territory, and keeping their eye on the nest ledge and roof despite the fact that the there was not a hatch.
We are hopeful that when the birds lose further interest in the actual nest ledge, we will be able to get the nest tray up in position, and get the pea gravel in it before they disperse for the winter. They are still very territorial for the area, and that is very good news.
Monday May 14, 2003
Todd Sharman reports:
4 Eggs are still around after heavy winds and rain this weekend. Male and female taking regular
turns on the nest. The female seems to have settled now after her balcony rescue. Thanks for following up on
the history of the birds - there are a lot of people at Canadian Tire that are very interested
in this pair. We all appreciate your updates and your enthusiasm about these birds.
History of the birds:
Ranger: Rochester - Kodak nest site 2001
Hunter: Rhodes State Office Tower nest site, Columbus Ohio, from the spring of 2000
Saturday May 10, 2003
Betty J. Beaton reports:
We have had several close encounters with Bonnie G. and her beau over the last
several weeks. We see both peregrines flying by our window daily. On numerous visits to the ledge
outside my office window, Bonnie has stayed for periods extending from a couple of minutes
to more than an hour. Often when she is there, the male will fly up to her and try to mount her.
We are frequently treated to Bonnie having a meal. Usually she's munching on pigeon but on both
Wednesday and Thursday of this week she arrived with a small sparrow. On both occasions,
she nibbled on her prey for a couple of minutes and then flew off leaving her food behind largely
untouched. Bonnie was having a particularly rough go of it this
morning trying to stay out of the icy rain but she managed to squeeze herself onto
a very narrow, sheltered ledge. It was quite impressive to see this massive
bird squashed up against the window pane.
As I write this, the male has arrived outside my window. It is very easy to tell the two birds apart. Bonnie is larger than the male but the male is much more brightly coloured than Bonnie. His beak, eye-rings and talons are a very bright yellow. He has arrived with a meal and is vocalizing quite loudly. I can hear Bonnie returning his calls. The male's leg bands are visible this time. He has a burgundy coloured band on his right leg. It is very difficult to read anything on the band. His left leg has bands: green on top with the letter H and a black vertical line; black on bottom with the letter D and a black vertical line.
Friday May 9, 2003
Walter Jansen reports:
I have been observing the Peregrines since I started working in the area about a year and a half
ago. From the 14th floor of 2180 Yonge St. where we work, my co-worker saw the "huge bird"
swoop down to the east side of Yonge St. and scare some pigeons. The falcon then circled back
and glided North, past the window and gave him a good view. Then again, he saw the bird flying
north towards
the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton at about the 14th floor level.
Friday March 28, 2003
Bruce Massey reports:
At dawn, only one bird was
visible at the northwest corner of TVO, but I could hear low vocalizing . This
bird appeared to be the male, and a few minutes later he was making low passes
over Yonge Street about the height of the cinema's. I then found the bird on the
west side of 2200, and watched as he stooped down and knocked down a small bird
and doubled back and caught it before it hit the ground. In the mid-morning, I
confirmed what I suspected but had never seen - that the birds use the tall
antennas on Dunfield Street to hunt from. I also observed one of the birds doing
the same in the early afternoon.
Thursday March
27,
2003
Bruce Massey reports:
Both birds in area at dawn
on North end of TVO. The female was seen at 0630 on the top roof of 20 Eglinton
West.
Wednesday March
26,
2003
Bruce Massey reports:
Both bird seen in area at
dawn, but not seen in the early afternoon.
Tuesday March
25,
2003
Bruce Massey reports:
Both birds present at
dawn, and almost immediately I thought I had and observed a "Change Off", but
later I saw both birds out for a prolonged length of time.
Monday March
24,
2003
Anne van Elsen reports:
On March 24, at 7:15 in the morning I saw both
falcons. One was perched on the corner of 2200 Yonge, with what I'm assuming was
a pigeon lying on the ledge beside her. The other was flying over the same
building.
Saturday March 22, 2003
Anne van Elsen reports:
At around 11 am today, one of the falcons was
perched on the upper northeast ledge of the TVO building, and about 45 minutes
later I noticed the falcon was gone. Does anyone have any updates? I'm eager to
know if the falcons are still in this area as a pair, and if they want to nest.
Monday March 3,
2003
Anne van Elsen reports:
This is just a brief note to mention that while
driving up Yonge St today, I saw both Peregrines sitting on the south face of
the building with the Canadian Tire logo on it.
Monday February 24, 2003
Betty Beaton reports:
Bonnie G and her beau have been spending a
lot of time outside our office windows on the 17th
floor of 2200 Yonge Street. We have noticed them together several times over
the last couple of weeks, stopping to rest on the ledges outside of our windows
often for 30 minutes or more at a time. This morning we heard some vocalizing
between the two and looked out to find Bonnie having a late breakfast of fresh
pigeon while her beau sat nearby and watched. After about an hour, Bonnie had
devoured the pigeon and the male went over to sit with her to check for
leftovers (or so it seemed). They had a brief conversation and then he flew
off. Despite being so close to us (just a few inches through a pane of glass),
the male has been sitting with his banded leg (the left with a black band)
facing away from us. Hopefully, we will be able to get a good look at the band
one day soon.
Friday February
21, 2003
Anne van Elsen reports:
Today at about 2:45 I saw a Peregrine sitting
on one of the little abutments about halfway up the west tower of the Yonge
Eglinton Center, on the south face of the building. She flew to the northeast
corner of 2200 Yonge, and stayed there, preening, and once stretched her wings
out before folding them up again. Once again I am thinking this is a female, but
I can't be sure.
Friday February 14,2003
Anne van Elsen reports:
Today for the first time in 4 or 5 weeks, I walked up to Yonge and
Eglinton with my binoculars. When I was still a block south of there, I saw a
Peregrine flying in a straight line, in a northwest direction. I think maybe the
female, because of her size, but I really couldn't be sure. I circled the
buildings around Yonge and Eglinton after that and finally spotted a Peregrine
sitting on the very top south west corner of 2200 Yonge. It was around 3:50pm
and she was still there when I left at about 4:20.
In about the second week of January I saw both of them together on the northeast corner of the ledge of the TVO building, and they were calling to each other, I suspect maybe they had a kill, because we'd seen the female flying around the buildings, and all the pigeons were alarmed.
Monday February 3,
2003
Rianne Thompson reports:
We've sighted a Peregrine on at least 3 occasions in the Eglington and Mount
Pleasant area and today had a marvellous close-up of him as he soared eye level
with us (8th floor) and scared our cat into hiding (brave cat normally :-)) He's
been hunting the starlings and dive-bombing the pigeons, although has not
actually tried to capture one, rather enjoys scaring them I think.
Sunday January 5,
2003
Vicki Sells and Peter Goldman report: We
were surprised this morning at about 10:00 am to see a beautiful, large bird
sitting on our back fence here (west of Yonge and north of Eglinton). Although
not sure of what our visitor is, we suspected that it may be a Peregrine. Sure
enough, after visiting your Website, we confirmed that we have a Peregrine in
our backyard, enjoying a tasty breakfast of what appears to be a pigeon. We have
viewed our visitor with binoculars, and he or she does not appear to be sporting
any leg bands. It's now approx. 11:00am, and our visitor seems to be content to
stay awhile.
Thursday December 26,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: Found
only the male peregrine in Roehampton area at first but the female showed up
about an hour and a half. later. Found what appeared to be the male (80% sure)
eating on the Roehampton Antenna. The Bird was banded on left leg with a black
over green band. Unfortunately it wasn't good enough light to get any sort of
numbering &/or Lettering.
Thursday December 19,
2002
Bruce Massey reports:
Worked
Day out of Yard but walked North up to Eglinton and found both birds in the area
for about 40 minutes. Yesterday saw both birds about 1400 hrs, north & east of
Broadway. They spent about one hour and forty minutes in the area.
Tuesday December 17,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: Quite
a day for Observations. Found both the Peregrines on the South side of 20
Eglinton West early in the AM, and then on the Apartment Towers on the West side
of the Davisville TTC Yards. The Female was Hunting both to the North as well as
I observed her going as far as St. Clair at least once . Both birds rested on
the West side of the TTC Building for about an hour. Around noon a Red Tail Hawk
came in from the West to the East and flew over between 33 & 77 Davisville. I
observed a Peregrine streaking in a stoop from the general direction of Yonge &
Eglinton. I was pretty sure there was talon contact as the Red Tail flew between
the buildings then back West. The Peregrine circled back over Davisville and
then went into another Terminal Stoop. That last I saw was the Peregrine passing
out of sight over the buildings on the West side of Yonge in the general
direction the Red Tail had taken. I was quite near a side Street and I walked
down it to get a clear view behind the buildings. All I saw what appeared to be
a single Tail &/or Primary feather rotating down over the TTC Yards, therefore
there was at least a second Encounter. I would say that Red Tail was lucky that
he got away relatively unscathed. Later at the end of my Work Shift the
peregrines were back up in their usual Area of Yonge & Eglinton.
Wednesday December 11,
2002
Bruce Massey reports:
Both Male & Female in
were seem in the area in late PM. Yesterday I saw only one bird in the area
during the day and last Thursday had a brief glimpse of a peregrine hunting over
Roehampton and Yonge
Thursday December 4,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: One
Peregrine seen in Area in Early AM. Yesterday both the Male & Female seen in
Area in Mid-AM and the Female was seen in Area in early PM. On Monday both the
Male & Female were found on the South End of TVO and on Tuesday I found
the Male on the South End of TVO mid AM.
Friday November 29,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: Today
I finally saw the birds in late afternoon. Yesterday one was present in
AM, mostly southeast of Yonge & Eglinton; also found both in early PM.
On Tuesday the male was present in early AM, and both in late AM. Monday
both birds were east of Yonge at Erskine around 1000. Saw them again just
before finishing work.
Friday November 22,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: Found
both birds on south end of TVO building first thing in AM, around 0900 Hrs.
As I was heading north on Yonge @ Hillcrest I heard vocalizing above. When I
looked up I saw an in-air transfer taking place at about 50 ft.. At one point
the pigeon was suspended between the 2 birds. The Female eventually flew low to
the west & about 20 minutes later I found them both eating on the West Side
of 2200 Yonge. On Wednesday I saw only the male; on Monday both were seen
over the course of the day.
Friday November 15,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: Found
one bird in the area mid-morning. Yesterday both were present; Wednesday
just the male, and on Tuesday also just one of the two.
Friday November 8,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: Found
both male and female in the area in AM. It was quite windy and several
carcasses were found on the ground including a small duck (at Soudan & Yonge).
It was quite fresh and a classic peregrine kill. The male was seen various
times yesterday between 0630-1400, and both were seen mid-morning on Tuesday as
well.
Friday November 1,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: Both
male and female present this morning, and one also in the early afternoon.
Since the female is "Bonnie G", I would like to submit that the male's
name be "Clyde"
Friday October 18,
2002
Linda Woods reports:
At
about 2:00 P.M. I had just made my way out of the subway and I looked up and
coming across Yonge St. towards the north-west corner was the female. She set
down on the building on the same corner, above the Eglinton Centre. She stayed
there for about 15 minutes and then took off towards the south-east. The male
appeared from that area and they both made their way towards the TVO building
on the south-west corner. First time I have seen them since in a long while.
Friday October 11,
2002
Betty Beaton reports: After
several short visits over the last couple of months, Bonnie G. graced us with
another of her hour-long stopovers today. She sat outside our office
window apparently cleaning up after her morning meal. You could clearly
see blood on the lower part of her chest and on her left talon. After a
considerable amount of preening, and a little sleep, she flew off to other
adventures in the Yonge-Eglinton area.
Monday September 30,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: There
is still periodic activity in the Yonge/Eglinton area, with the latest report
coming today from Walter Jansen, who heard a peregrine, then saw it flying
around the rooftops of 2180/2190 Yonge.
Wednesday July 24,
2002
Betty Beaton reports: We
had another lengthy visit from Bonnie G. today. She sat outside our 17th
floor offices (2200 Yonge) for about an hour this morning. I continue to
see her most days flying past my window on her way to her spot on the 20
Eglinton West office building.
Monday July 22,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Bruce
Massey has informed me that he continues to see either the male or the female
peregrine in the Yonge / Eglinton area almost daily, so it appears that despite
the failure of the nest, the territory remains active.
Friday June 28,
2002
Betty Beaton reports: I've
just enjoyed a lovely long visit from who I believe to be our "Uptown"
girl, Bonnie G. She perched herself outside my office window on the
northwest side of 2200 Yonge for 2 hours, from 9:30 to 11:30 this morning. She
mostly dozed. This is the second time in a week she has decided to stop
by. The last time, she stayed for about 10 minutes. I see her almost
daily flying by my window. She often passes by in the early afternoon on
her way to her favourite perch on 20 Eglinton West. But it's always
special to be able to see these beautiful creatures mere inches and a pane of
glass away.
Marcel Gahbauer comments: See the Toronto
Gallery for our first photos of Bonnie G, taken while she was still
incubating in late May, but only posted now.
Monday June 24,
2002
Harry Crawford reports: At
1:17pm a large peregrine, probably female, was circling above Yonge and Eglinton.
It landed on a concrete ledge, 7 floors down from the roof on the south side of
20 Eglinton West. It was still there at 1:55pm when I left the area.
Sunday June 9,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Observers
in the vicinity of the Uptown Toronto nest site should keep an eye out for an
escaped falconer's peregrine. It is a female, easy to identify by the
presence of long leather jesses hanging down in flight, as well as loud
bells. It flew off today during a falconry demonstration near Leslie and
Eglinton. Please report
any sightings of this bird to us.
Friday June 7,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: First,
the good news! The Yonge/Eglinton female has been identified as
"Bonnie G", a peregrine hatched on the Eastman Kodak building in Rochester,
New York in 2001. Her father was Cabot-Sirocco, who hatched at the
downtown Toronto in 1998, so in a sense this is a homecoming for her, one
generation removed... Thanks to Bruce Massey for identifying her leg band
and providing me with the information, to Mark Kandel of the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation for helping me focus my search in the
right direction, and to Mike Allen for confirming that he had placed this band
on a female at the Rochester nest last spring.
Also today I received additional information from an observer who had been able to view the nest from inside the building. The first egg was laid on April 19, with the other two following at roughly two day intervals (as usual for peregrines). Assuming that incubation began with the third egg, this means hatching should have started around May 26-28. Thus, while the eggs were lost in the rainstorm of June 2, it seems that they were unlikely to hatch anyway. I'm also told that one egg in fact had already disappeared the previous weekend. Unfortunately, without any eggs left to test, it is unlikely that we can come to any conclusions about why this nesting attempt was unsuccessful.
Monday June 3,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: It
was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions at Yonge/Eglinton this weekend. It
started off Saturday morning, with a high point of watching Chippy chase a
pigeon over Yonge St. and pick it up off the sidewalk in front of the T.V.O.
building. She then flew it to the top of a light standard, where she waited for
about 5 minutes to cast a pellet and then proceeded to eat it in front of me
(and my scope). After a crow took a run at her with no results, she ate
about 3/4 of the pigeon and took off low to the southeast around the OHIP
building and around the south end of the TVO building. I went up to the
3rd Level Parking of TVO, and witnessed a "change off". It was the
usual change off, it took about 30 seconds and it was consistent to what I
witnessed for the 30+ days of incubation.
The things I saw during the 4 or so hours I spent in the area on Saturday didn't
prepare me for what I was in for on Sunday. Sunday, also started off well,
as I was setting up my scope & stool over at Anderson & Duplex, I was
almost hit by a pigeon falling out of the tree. About a minute later a
Peregrine flew over, so I assume that the pigeon was in full avoidance mode and
made a less than graceful landing at my feet. At about 0650 I found much to my
surprise both the male (Eggy) & female (Chippy) on the south side of 20
Eglinton West. Much more to my surprise, they both didn't go near the nest
for the next 3 hours that I watched during the morning and also in the PM where
I watched for about 2 hours. This definitely raised alarm bells as to the
state of the nest.
On the positive side, during the AM session the birds were checking out the west
side of 2200 Yonge (Bank of Montreal) on several of the ledges, and during the
PM session they were checking out the S.E. and N.W. corners of the TVO building
including both spending 5-10 minutes on each ledge. Also today (Monday) I
observed the birds on both the ledges of the TVO building, some mating behaviour
(flight displays) and possibly first thing this AM an attempted copulation.
And the best news yet is that when I went on the TVO roof to confirm my
sightings from the ground, I did find no eggs visible at the old nest site, I
however did flush the male from the northwest ledge of the building.
Marcel Gahbauer reports: In addition to what Bruce has described above, he also communicated with Mark Nash that the existing nest site had been flooded during the intense rainstorm that moved through Toronto early on Sunday morning. It was impossible to check from the roof yesterday, but today Bruce noted that there was still water on the ledge. This suggests that the existing eggs were lost due to the rain - either washed over the edge, or drowned and subsequently abandoned by the adults (and once unprotected quickly scavenged by crows or gulls). A very disappointing turn of events given that the eggs were just about due to hatch.
Sunday June 2,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Some
disturbing news today - I spoke with Mark Nash this afternoon, and he told me
that Bruce Massey has been watching the Yonge/Eglinton site all day and has not
seen either peregrine visiting the nest site. As late as yesterday,
incubation was proceeding normally, but it appears something changed drastically
overnight or early this morning. We are hoping to be able to follow up on
this tomorrow.
Thursday May 30,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: This
afternoon I visited the roof above the Yonge/Eglinton nest along with Mark Nash,
Bruce Massey, and Linda Woods. The female was on the nest during this
time, and moved only once, showing at least two eggs beneath her. She is
still very brown, indicating that she is a second year bird. Her mate kept
an eye on us from further down the roof at first, at which point it was possible
to see a black band on his left leg and a red band on his right ...
unfortunately he was just a bit too far away to make out the characters, so we
won't be able to track down his identity just yet. Unlike the female, the
male appears to be a full adult. After a while, he headed off to the
north.
Once back on the ground, we continued watching for a while, and eventually saw the male (nicknamed "Eggy" for his proximity to Eglinton Avenue) bring in a Baltimore Oriole to the nest, which the female (nicknamed "Chippy" for her attitude toward people) quickly took from him and carried to the southwest corner of the roof to eat.
A correction: the nest is in fact on 2180 Yonge Street, NOT 2200 Yonge as previously reported. My apologies to those who have tried in vain to spot the nest from the Eglinton Station bus platforms. 2180 is in fact the next building to the south, not visible from the bus terminal. However, the peregrines do perch on 2200, as well as 2300 Yonge and 20 Eglinton West, so it is still well worth keeping an eye on the skies while waiting for the bus...
Monday May 27,
2002
Mark Nash reports: We
have finally identified the incubating female's band number. Bruce Massey
has been very diligent and determined to get more of the story on the Uptown
Toronto nesting peregrines, and today all of his hard efforts have
paid off.
After spending most of Saturday May 25th watching, talking and meeting many, he has finally been able to communicate with a swing stage operator who had been working on the TVO building and had observed the female at close range.
The band number of the female has been observed, and we are checking now as to the identity of the bird. The band on her left leg is black over red, suggesting that it is likely from the northeast United States. We have passed the band numbers on to our friends in Pennsylvania in the hopes of tracking down details.
Saturday May 11,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Bruce
Massey has been able to provide us with some additional information about the
new Yonge/Eglinton nest site. As indicated previously, it is on the west
side of 2200 Yonge Street, overlooking the Eglinton Station bus terminal
(CORRECTION: it is actually 2180 Yonge, the building SOUTH of the bus
platforms).
Specifically, when looking up at the building from the bus platforms, the nest
location is on the ledge immediately to the right of the elevator shaft in the
middle of the building. Naturally the peregrines also perch regularly on
other ledges of the same building, as well as 2300 Yonge Street (on the north
side of Eglinton), so if no activity is observed around the nest site itself,
it's worth scanning other nearby rooftops and ledges for the birds.
Thursday May 2,
2002
Adam Martin reports: We
had a short visit just now from one of the falcons. Its left leg had a red
band. We couldn't see any of the numbers on the band or what colour the band on
the right leg was. Its right leg was tucked under a few feathers. It was
great to see it so close! It was only about 4 feet away from our windows on the
west side of the 15th floor.
Wednesday May 1,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Mark
Nash and Bruce Massey have continued to observe the activity at Yonge &
Eglinton, and today Mark alerted me that three eggs have been confirmed to be
under incubation on a west-facing ledge of 2200 Yonge Street. This ledge
overlooks the Toronto Transit Commission's Eglinton Station bus platforms - we
encourage anyone waiting in line to look up for a chance to see the peregrines,
and to report any noteworthy observations to us at mark.at.peregrine-foundation.dot.ca.
At the moment the identities of the adults at this site are unknown, but we hope
to receive information on their bands from observers in nearby buildings.
Wednesday April 17,
2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Mark
Nash informed me this evening that there continue to be regular sightings of
a pair of peregrines at Yonge & Eglinton. It appears now that they
are settling on 2200 Yonge Street, but it remains unclear whether they are
attending a specific nest site at this time.
Tuesday April 2,
2002
Harry Crawford reports: At
10:10am, Bruce showed me where the male peregrine was sitting, on the north
east corner of 2300 Yonge Street. He indicated that the female was
seen earlier.
Wednesday March 27,
2002
Betty Beaton reports: A
visit by a peregrine to the ledge outside our 16th floor office at 2200
Yonge Street was enjoyed today. The peregrine sat on the ledge from
about 12:30pm to 1:10pm. It appeared to be a sub-adult female.
Unfortunately, her leg bands were not visible during most of the visit.
She stretched her legs briefly and I could see she had a black band on the
right leg and a red band on the left. When she stood up prior to
leaving the ledge, the bands were facing away from me and could not be read.
Tuesday February 19,
2002
Bruce Massey reports: At about 1030 I finally saw a peregrine in the
Yonge-Eglinton Area. This was a little out of the ordinary, as I normally
see first thing in the morning around 0730. It flew to the northeast
from the area of the Bank of Montreal antenna. About five minutes
later, as I was a block north of Eglinton, I saw the male peregrine coming
in from the West and joining up with the female just to the east of Yonge
St. They then both landed on the east ledge of the Yonge-Eglinton
Center. After, when I came out from coffee break, they were no longer
there.
Approximately one hour later, I observe the male flying into the north side of 2300 Yonge Street. The female was on the 500 Duplex antenna array. An American Kestrel attacked the male and they both flew to the north. I was pointing this out to passersby, and when I looked towards the birds, it appeared that the female had joined in the chase, and I'm pretty sure that it was the male that she hooked talons with. I have only witnessed this once in the seven or so years of observation. The two birds, spiraled down out of sight, and I started heading in that direction. At this time, the female came flying low to the south, and there was no sign of the other two birds. When I got over to the area that the birds gone down in, I noticed a bird on the 500 Duplex antenna array. I later confirmed this to be the male peregrine. At around 1315, I observed a Kestrel on the northwest corner of the library. Therefore, I believe that all three birds are accounted for.
The male seems to be the bird that is usually in the neighborhood. The female appears to be a sub-adult. This is consistent with previous observations.
Sunday February 17,
2002
Campbell Barr reports: I
have been watching two falcons in the Yonge and Eglinton area this
afternoon. They have been resting on the south face of the shorter of the
two large office towers at 2300 Yonge St. (the Greenwin tower). One of the
two has been putting on quite a display of stunting for the other.
Thursday January 24,
2002
Michael Austin reports: Today
at about 5:20pm I saw two peregrines flying around 2300 Yonge Street, one
bird landed on the south side of the building a couple of times.
Wednesday January 2,
2002
Harry Crawford reports: A
peregrine was on the east side of 2300 Yonge Street at 11:25am. This was the
exact same spot as Sunday's sighting. I can't be certain if it was the
same bird. This one was a bit smaller and much lighter in the chest
area. However, it was much colder and there was a vicious wind on
Sunday.
Sunday December 30,
2001
Harry Crawford reports: Around
11:00am, a large peregrine was seen feeding on the utility ledge on the east
side of 2300 Yonge Street. It appeared to be a very large bird, quite
dark in the chest area, and likely a female. The area was searched and there
was no sign of the male. It was cold and the winds were strong.
Marcel Gahbauer comments: Today was the annual Toronto Christmas Bird Count. This peregrine, in addition to those observed by Harry Crawford and Paul Marshman at the Midtown Toronto, Downtown Toronto, and Etobicoke sites contributed to a record high number of peregrines being counted. Including also the individual spotted by Karl Konze in the Don Mills area, and a juvenile observed by John Carley on the Leslie Spit, the new record now stands at 9 individuals (though we hope to see the number continue to rise in future years). For the time being, we are particularly interested in any further observations of the juvenile seen by the lake, and welcome any reports of it at mark.at.peregrine-foundation.dot.ca.
Thursday December 27,
2001
Marcel Gahbauer reports: According
to Bruce Massey, there has been at least one peregrine present in the Yonge/Eglinton
area throughout the fall. Most days only the male is seen, but a female
has put in occasional appearances. The most recent observation of both
birds together was in mid-December. The male's favourite perch appears to
be near the southeast corner of 2300 Yonge Street (northwest corner of Yonge
& Eglinton), though he often arrives there only shortly before
dusk.
Sunday November 4,
2001
Lance Clarke reports:
Today, I might have seen a pair of falcons. One was on an apartment building at 177 Redpath, and one on another at 200 Roehampton. The
buildings are next to each other at the intersection of Redpath &
Roehampton.
I first spotted one at about 3:30 PM, and then noticed the other shortly afterwards. Both were perched on top of their buildings, and were there for at least 10 - 15 minutes before first one flew off, then the other several minutes later.
From what I could see, they looked similar to the falcons I've seen down at Yonge and King, but my binoculars aren't very good, and if it's possible that they could have been another species, then I might be mistaken. But they were relatively large birds, were certainly raptors of some sort. I'll keep my eyes open and see if I can get a better look in the future.
Marcel Gahbauer comments: With very rare exceptions, there are in the Toronto area only three species of raptor which perch on buildings. American Kestrels are the most common, but are easily recognizable due to their small size (roughly half the size of a peregrine). Red-tailed Hawks are the next most widely distributed, and are a bit larger than peregrines. However, since peregrines have been seen around Yonge & Eglinton quite frequently over the last couple of years, it is very possible that the birds reported above are in fact peregrines.
We have not yet had much luck in pinning down the locations that the Yonge/Eglinton peregrines are favouring. If you are in the area and see any peregrine activity, please send us a report. Hopefully together we can identify another new pair for Toronto.
Monday August 20, 2001
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Since
the last report posted below, Bruce Massey and David Pfeffer have reported
only a couple of brief glimpses of a peregrine in the Yonge / Eglinton area,
and none recently. We were therefore very pleased to receive a report
from Nicole Woodrow on August 15 of a peregrine perched around the 12th
floor on the north side of 2300 Yonge Street for a period of about 20
minutes. Over the past couple of years, activity in this area has
increased in the fall and winter; hopefully this will be the case again in
the coming months.
Tuesday May
8,
2001
Marcel Gahbauer reports: David
Pfeffer reported this morning that Bruce Massey had again seen a male
peregrine at Yonge & Eglinton this morning. However, this time it
appeared rather brownish, suggesting that it is only a one-year-old
bird. Previously, an adult had been observed for much of the winter,
so unless light conditions were playing tricks with the colours of today's
bird, it appears that the territory may have changed hands (wings?) again.
Saturday March
17,
2001
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Bruce
Massey has told me that up until a few days ago, the male at Yonge and
Eglinton was still being regularly. This presumably is still the same
individual we identified earlier in the year as likely being either Preston
or Loft. Unfortunately there has been no sign of a female in the area
for a while, so it is unlikely that there will be nesting here this year
(and this in turn may cause the male to wander
eventually).
Saturday January 20,
2001
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Craig
McLauchlan has informed me that he spotted a peregrine at Avenue Rd and St.
Clair on January 9. It was perched on the building on the southeast
corner of the intersection, then took off in pursuit of a red-tailed
hawk. Was this one of the Yonge/Bloor peregrines, or one of the Yonge/Eglinton
peregrines, or yet a different one again? We encourage anyone in the
Avenue / St. Clair area to keep an eye open for any peregrine activity and
report any sightings to us at mark.at.peregrine-foundation.dot.ca.
Saturday January 13,
2001
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Earlier
this week, Bruce Massey informed me that he had been able to get quite a
good look at the male peregrine near Yonge and Eglinton with his scope, and was
surprised to see that it wore a silver band on each leg. This is in
contrast to the usual protocol in which there is a silver band on one leg
and a coloured (usually black and/or red) one on the other. Though
it's certainly possible there are others like this, the only double-silver
banded peregrines I'm aware of are the three fostered into the Ottawa nest
by the Canadian Peregrine Foundation in 1999. Thus there is a good
chance that the male being seen is either Preston or Loft. I would ask
that anyone in the area keep an eye out for this bird, and should you be
fortunate enough to get a look at the leg band, please contact us at mark.at.peregrine-foundation.dot.ca
or 416-481-1233.
For earlier reports, check the Toronto archives.
© Canadian Peregrine Foundation