Canadian Peregrine Foundation -- Downtown Toronto Archives: January

The Canadian Peregrine Foundation

DOWNTOWN TORONTO ARCHIVES

January - February 2002

Wednesday January 2, 2002
David Dean reports: 11:00 Kingsley has been hanging around the nest site all morning. He has spent time on the nest ledge and at the top on the eastern side of the nest building. He has departed a few times, usually flying west down King St, but he has returned after brief jaunts.

Paul Marshman reports: About 3 p.m. today I looked out my window toward St. James Cathedral and saw an adult peregrine flying fast from the east, headed toward the nest or Scotia Tower. I guess this indicates Kingsley and Victoria are still venturing out in that direction, looking for prey, since I saw the same thing about a week ago. They are spending more time around the Victoria St. nest again. I didn't see them there for a few days, and wonder if the window washer scared them off just before Christmas, since they were seen regularly at the Sheraton Hotel during that time. However, I saw them on the nest building on Sunday morning (once alone and once with Harry), and one of them was on top again yesterday (Tuesday) about 10 a.m.

Friday January 4, 2002
David Dean reports: 9:55AM Just now, both Kingsley and Victoria came into the nest area together, about 20 feet apart side-by-side, from the south. It is the first time I have seen Victoria in the area for some time. She went to her usual spot, the north east corner on top of the nest building, and Kingsley went to his, half way down the southern half of the eastern side, where he promptly did a big poop upon landing. Kingsley didn't stick around long (30 seconds), but Victoria is lingering. Kingsley has been spending quite a bit of time at the nest site during the mornings of late, but is absent most of the afternoons.

Monday January 7, 2002
Jennifer Barr reports: Both peregrines are at the old nest site on the Sheraton Hotel right now (it's a nice sunny spot for most of the late morning/early afternoon). One of them seems to be sitting on something - there seems to be a small black box up there.

Marcel Gahbauer comments: The black box appears to be a pipe of sorts that sticks up through the middle of the ledge (as checked on old webcam snapshots of the ledge from the 1999 season). It is presumably a safe elevated perch from which the peregrines can enjoy the view of their territory.

Tuesday January 8, 2002
David Dean reports: 11:25am. I'm not sure which of the pair it was, but one of the peregrines just flew by an eastern facing window of my office on Toronto St. from the north with prey. It happened too fast for me to identify who it was, but my guess is that it was Kingsley. I wasn't able to see where he/she was flying to, but I suspect it was the nest building. I checked about 30 minutes later, and saw neither bird. However, at 12:30 to about 1:30, both birds were hanging around in their usual spots; Kingsley towards the south end of the eastern top of the nest building, and Victoria right on the north eastern corner on the top. Kingsley later moved to the nest ledge, and Victoria was nowhere to be found. A few nights ago I saw Kingsley come in fast from the east, in a stoop, right before dark. He went right over the nest ledge into the nest area. I wonder if he sleeps in there? He came in so fast, and zipped right in; it's quite possible we all miss him every day.

Linda Woods reports: 12:50p.m. Both Kingsley and Victoria were seen on the roof-top east side of # 18 King St. They were both gone when I returned to the area an hour later.

Wednesday January 9, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Adelaide, from the 2000 nesting season in downtown Toronto, is once again in the news, and as has been the case all too often, she has gotten herself in trouble. She had been released in Thunder Bay on September 8, and for a few months seemed to be settling in well. She was observed there as recently as December 26. Unfortunately, on January 6 she was found injured along Highway 61, just south of the Thunder Bay airport. The first five primaries are missing on her right wing and she had an open wound at the base of her tail. X-rays taken the next day indicated that her left humerus is broken near the left shoulder. Adelaide was transferred to the Ontario Veterinary College on the morning of January 8 for further assessment. Our thanks to Brian Ratcliff of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists for providing this information.

Saturday January 12, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 09:30a.m. Viewing from Leader Lane, both Kingsley and Victoria were seen sitting on either side of the nest pillar. Victoria flew off and over to the roof-top security camera on # 33 Victoria St. She then headed off to the north and quickly returned with prey in her talons and carried it to the roof-top, north-east corner of the King Edward Hotel. Kingsley remained on the former nest ledge. They were both gone when I returned to the area later.

Thursday January 17, 2002
Jan Chudy reports: I am happy to report that today both birds were in their regular spot on the top west side of Scotia Plaza. They have spent a great part of the day there - flying off every now and then but always returning. There is a lovely golden light from the west which they truly seem to enjoy basking in.

Wednesday January 23, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Dr. Michael Taylor at the University of Guelph's Wild Bird Clinic has provided us with an update on Adelaide's condition (see Jan 9 report below for the background to this story).

Radiographs confirmed that Adelaide's left humerus had suffered severe trauma, as the head of the bone (its strongest portion) was smashed, a very unusual situation. It appears that her liver and/or gall bladder may have been injured somewhat as well, though there do not appear to be any serious problems with them. Unfortunately, it is not possible to surgically repair a fracture as severe as the one Adelaide has suffered with any reasonable expectation of success. Her wing can likely be salvaged, but she will likely not be releasable. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is considering possible destinations for Adelaide.

Linda Woods reports: 2:15p.m. Viewing from Leader Lane, one adult can be seen on the roof-top of One Financial Place, east side. Couldn't see if it was Kingsley or Victoria, forgot my binoculars.

Friday January 25, 2002
Harry Crawford reports: Both Kingsley and Victoria were clearly visible on the east side of Scotia Plaza at 10:15am. They seemed to be enjoying the sun.

Linda Woods reports: 10:45 Viewing from Leader Lane, one adult I believe Kingsley, can be seen on the east side Scotia Plaza. He's on the third ledge from the bottom, south side. 11:30 Kingsley has gone from that area, probably the same peregrine I see now, soaring on the east side Scotia Tower and sets down on the south ledges, second from the top.

Monday January 28, 2002
Jennifer Barr reports: 3:10 pm - Another mystery solved! I was just watching Kingsley and Victoria, one at the old nest site on the Sheraton and the other on the North East corner of 130 Adelaide Street West. As I was watching them, wondering which was which, Kingsley took off from the Sheraton, flew directly over to Victoria and mated with her for about 5 seconds! He then continued to fly up and away (he never touched ground during the act itself) and flew around and back to land about 4 feet away from her on 130. They stayed there for about another 10 minutes and just left.

They have both spent a fair amount of time at and around the old Sheraton nest site today, I wouldn't write it off as a possible site for this years nest yet. And, given today's activity, I think we can expect a nest!

Marcel Gahbauer comments: Though breeding activity appears to be primarily regulated by photoperiod (i.e. daylength), recent behaviour at this and other nest sites suggest that the peregrines are responding to the unusually mild winter by engaging in courtship activity much earlier than usual. I still don't expect to see eggs for quite a while yet, but chances are good that nesting will begin at record early dates across Ontario, unless there is a dramatic change in our weather in the weeks to come.

Friday February 1, 2002
David Dean reports: 2:10 Both Peregrines have been absent from the King nest site quite a bit this week, with only the occasional brief visit by Kingsley, and a mating earlier in the week on top of the nest building. Both peregrines came in fast from the east in a stoop right at the nest building, and then upward into the nest area. Both peregrines walked on the ledge getting comfortable, sat on the ledge for a bit, disappeared into the nest area. Victoria flew over to the north eastern corner of the King Eddy, and Kingsley hung out on the ledge for awhile. Victoria is still there (2:40), Kingsley is not in view.

Saturday February 2, 2002
Marcel Gahbauer reports: Kingsley and Victoria were making themselves scarce this morning. For roughly 40 minutes, I checked all of their usual perches - 18 King East, Scotia Plaza, Sheraton Hotel, and more. No activity anywhere (though of course they could have easily circled around behind me). No doubt they were somewhere nearby, and I just wasn't looking in the right direction.

Sunday February 3, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 09:40 Walking east along King St. near the King Edward Hotel, I could hear vocalizing. I looked up a saw Kingsley go over to Victoria. She was on the east side of # 33 Victoria St. sitting on the security camera. Mating attempt, Kingsley then flew off to north -east. 11:30 Kingsley is seen on the east side roof-top # 18 King St. Victoria is not seen at this time.

Tuesday February 5, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 10:25 Walking south on Church St. I spotted Kingsley on the roof-top security camera east side of #33 Victoria St. Victoria was seen at the same time on the north-east corner roof-top of the King Edward Hotel. 11:30 Both Kingsley and Victoria are now on the east side roof-top of # 18 King St.

Thursday February 7, 2002
David Dean reports: 8:35 AM Victoria is sitting on her regular King Eddy perch (north eastern corner), and Kingsley just came in from the north, landed on her, went about business, and then flew over to the nest ledge where he disappeared from view into the nest area for a few minutes. He then emerged, all puffed up, and sat on the ledge overseeing the area. Victoria decided to fly north up Victoria street at the level of the nest ledge, and like a puppy in tow, Kingsley follows.

Linda Woods reports: 1:10p.m. Victoria can be seen sitting on the security camera on the east side of # 33 Victoria St. (I'm not sure if that is a camera or if it's some sort of antenna) Kingsley is on the nest ledge under the video camera hook-up.

David Dean reports: 3:30 Perhaps the best viewing of the peregrines I have had over the past year, both birds were in an unusual spot, on the north western corner of the King Eddy (the higher part, not the low side). They were about 24 inches apart, and Kingsley was roosting on one foot while Victoria devoured a grey pigeon. I guess she didn't like the hungry eyes he was giving her, because Victoria once again flew north up Victoria street. You guessed it, about 10 seconds later, like a hungry puppy in tow, Kingsley followed. Its very clear who's in charge, I've never seen Victoria following Kingsley, or her even approaching him. He is always chasing her around! My bet is that he is too lazy to hunt for himself, and he's looking for some leftovers. Victoria had no problem carrying the large pigeon. I've seen Kingsley have problems carrying similar sized prey.

Marcel Gahbauer comments: It's not just Kingsley who has trouble carrying pigeons - the fact is that for most male peregrines, they are a bit on the large side (especially the overfed, fat city pigeons). As pigeons are by far the most abundant bird in the downtown territory, it's only natural that Kingsley would want to try to get some scraps from Victoria if possible, though when necessary, Kingsley has certainly shown himself to be quite capable of hunting smaller birds.

Friday February 8, 2002
Harry Crawford reports: I passed Gerrard and University heading south around 10:10am and didn't see any sign of Mandy or Windwhistler-Spike. However, when I got to Dundas at 10:20am, a peregrine crossed University, westbound, over the American Consulate, chasing three pigeons. It reappeared a few minutes later and crossed University heading east. A couple of minutes later, it again crossed University westbound in a low and shallow stoop, disappearing behind the Bell building to the west of the American Consulate. Almost immediately, it crossed east across University and headed off towards Bay and Queen at a high rate of speed. Idon't know whether it was Victoria of Kingsley but they used to hunt in this exact area when I worked at 400 University about three years ago.

Sunday February 10, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 12:10 Kingsley is seen sitting of the south side of CHFI, he didn't stay long after I spotted him there and he was off towards Scotia Plaza. I waited to see if he would land on the east ledges but he didn't . I then checked the west side of the Tower and I didn't spot him anywhere.

Monday February 11, 2002
Jennifer Barr reports: After only a few short sightings last week (mostly fly-bys), both Kingsley and Victoria are sitting at the old nest site this morning. They are about 4 feet apart and are no doubt waiting for the sun to swing around and warm them up. They should be in full sun in another 20 minutes or so.

Tuesday February 12, 2002
Paul Marshman reports: I was on King St. about 4:55 and saw a peregrine on the nest ledge. As I was scanning the rooftops for the other one, a peregrine -- obviously Victoria, from what happened next -- flew across in front of the nest, headed down King St. and then doubled back, landing on the southeast corner of 33 Victoria St. I heard vocalizing, and the peregrine from the nest ledge -- obviously Kingsley -- flew over and mated with her. He then flew off to the west. I haven't seen the downtown birds much the past week, but this proves they're still here and still mating.

Thursday February 14, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 4:55 pm While observing Mandy sitting on the east side of 505 University Ave, I decided to scan the roof-tops of the downtown buildings. Not too often can I see the downtown birds from my place, but there's one sitting on the north -east corner roof-top of One Financial Place. Funny, that's the only part of that building I can see from this viewing point. Can't tell which adult it is though.

Marcel Gahbauer reports: Kingsley and Victoria continue to visit both their traditional territory (King & Victoria) and alternate nest site (Sheraton Hotel) on a regular basis. This afternoon around 2 pm, Jennifer Barr observed both of them landing together at the Sheraton nest ledge.

Friday February 15, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 1:15p.m. One adult can be seen sitting on the north-east corner roof-top of One Financial Place. I'm too far away to identify which adult. Around 3:00p.m. Viewing from Leader Lane; Victoria is on the north -east corner roof-top of #33 Victoria St. Kingsley is seen at the same time on the lower east ledge of One Financial Place.

Saturday February 16, 2002
Linda Woods reports: While trying to spot the Bay/Bloor pair, I could see either Kingsley or Victoria sitting on the north-east corner of One Financial Place at 11:40a.m.

Sunday February 17, 2002
Linda Woods reports: Didn't see Kingsley or Victoria on any of the usual spots this morning.

Monday February 18, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 5:23p.m. While looking for Mandy and Windwhistler (and not seeing them) I happen to look at the north-east roof-top of the Sheraton Hotel. I notice something like looked like a peregrine. Wasn't sure if I was looking at bird or a light fixture. I checked it a few times and it didn't move. During this time I haven't seen Mandy or Windwhistler for a while. After checking the east side of Mt. Sinai, one adult had finally made an appearance. Check the Sheraton Hotel again and the "light fixture" is gone. Could have been one of the Downtown birds. I really think coincidental that a bird show up at MSH. Didn't see either one leave or arrive, so the mystery continues.

Tuesday February 19, 2002
Linda Woods reports: I was downtown just before noon. Checked all the usual spots for Kingsley and Victoria, but I didn't see them at all. Although, around 1:02p.m. scanning the roof tops for Mandy and Windwhistler, I did see two adults flying around the north side of First Canadian Place. They were headed east and I lost track of them behind buildings.

Thursday February 21, 2002
David Dean reports: 12:30 Kingsley just came into the area of the nest site from the north, with prey, and set down on the north eastern part of the King Eddy tower (the corner). He sat there devouring the starling for about 10 minutes while Victoria sat on the nest ledge preening. She had a downy feather stuck to the top of her head for a few minutes, which looked pretty funny. I was pleased to see that Kingsley went out and found his own lunch for a change!

Friday February 22, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 11:15a.m. Kingsley and Victoria are not on their usual spots. Window washer on the east side of #18 King St.

4:30p.m. Walking north along York St. and looking towards the south side of the Sheraton Hotel, one adult seen on the top ledge, below the "S". Second adult seen circling the area. 4:33 Adult off the top ledge and headed towards the south east.

Saturday February 23, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 09:40 One adult sitting on the south side of Sheraton Hotel under the "S". I checked the area of Leader Lane twice and didn't see either Kingsley or Victoria in that area.

Sunday February 24, 2002
Linda Woods reports: 11:20 am - Viewing from Leader Lane, window washers out on east side # 18 King St. Kingsley is seen on the east side Scotia Plaza, bottom ledge. I walked west along King towards Bay St. Viewing the south side of Sheraton Hotel, Victoria is seen on the north-east corner of an office building in the area of Adelaide and York St. Second bird appears in view and mating is seen. Not sure if this is Victoria and Kingsley so I walked back to Leader Lane and Kingsley is gone from Scotia Plaza.

Wednesday February 27, 2002
Zoe Berger reports: Today after 5pm I was on the King car and one of the adults was on the nest ledge at 18 King. I look everyday when I can get a glimpse - can't always manage it during rush hour. So, it looks like they are really paying attention to both sites.

Thursday February 28, 2002
David Dean reports: 3:35 Victoria is sitting on her regular perch, the northeastern corner of the King Eddy tower. Kingsley just flew to her from the north, did a quick mate, and flew off down King street. Victoria remains there, like a queen. A few minutes later, Kingsley returned and sat down on the eastern face of the KE tower, about 10 feet from Victoria. Later on, both birds move to the nest building, and at 6:00, Victoria remains, on her regular spot, the northeastern corner (of the nest building). She likes those northeastern corners. Both birds were at the nest site quite a bit today.

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