I met with Linda at the hotel at approx 9:30 am this morning, and we spent the entire day watching the birds activities. Much toooo much to post, so I will try and summarize what we observed throughout the day.

We were able to watch and observe the nest site activities in detail, and it has in part, given us a better understanding of what is actually going on. Sadly,, it appears that our worst suspicions may have in fact been confirmed. There is only one attending adult on the nest, and the absence of a second adult attending to the nest has become more evident.

Upon arrival, - the attending adult (" WIND ", now identified by its coloured band number) was present on the nest ledge attending to the four chicks,. The 4 chicks although very small, appeared to be healthy and were active with a very small bulge of food in their crops. The adult's crop was empty and was noticeably sunken in, so much so, - it was displacing the feathers covering its crop.

Although the chicks are very young, and typically not very mobile at all at this age, they were active most of the day stumbling around the nest area chasing WIND around the nest ledge begging for food. It is worth noting that this adult bird is either a very small female or a larger male, and despite our best observation efforts, we were both undecided as to what sex this adult actually is. For the sake of this report, we will log WIND'S sex as being a female until we get additional information from the banding records.

As of the Finally, at 3:00 pm , " WIND " moved to the edge of the nest ledge, overlooking the south and east, and after 15 minutes of scanning the horizon, (at approx. 3:15 pm), she flew off south east in the direction of the 18 King street nest site building, - (Toronto Downtown nest site), (which I might add is less than 1/2 km. away, and very visible with the naked eye). It's very close!!

Within 3 minutes, (at 3:18 pm) WIND had returned, (one again having clearly identified by the same band number), returns to the nest ledge with a very dry, crispy 3/4 eaten food scrap, not much bigger than a starling. The flesh on the remains of the dried bird carcass had yellowed, and was not red in coloured at all. The adult proceeded to break it up into small bits proceeded to feed it to the begging chicks.

On two occasions during this feeding, two of the chicks struggled to swallow several of the hard crispy pieces that were offered to them by the adult. The entire event took some 4 minutes, and everything was consumed by the the 4 chicks. WIND did not eat at this time, and fed everything to the 4 chicks.

At approx. 3:30 pm, "WIND" once again moved to the nest ledge edge, scanning the south east, and at 3:40 pm finally flew off to the south east. Moments later, an adult peregrine was observed being chased and stooped by a larger peregrine, that forced the smaller peregrine to the roof top of 130 Adelaide, where it stayed on the north east corner for 12 plus minutes while the larger peregrine circled over its head. The 130 Adelaide street building is directly across from the nest ledge at the Sheraton Hotel - (at least as the crow flies) at this high elevation.

As the airborne peregrine disappeared to the south east, the grounded peregrine took flight and landed on the Sheraton nest ledge, (once again this bird was clearly identified as WIND by its band numbers), and it quickly moved back into the nest ledge to mantle over the four white chicks. There WIND stayed with the chicks (for approx. 30 minutes), until approx. 4:30 pm, at which time it once again she moved to the edge of the nest ledge, scanning to the south east. After approx. 11 minutes of watching, she finally took flight to the east.

Moments later (approx. 20 to 30 seconds), a peregrine flew back into our view, landing on the roof top of 130 Adelaide, and seconds later was chased by another similar sized peregrine over to the Sheraton nest ledge. The peregrine being chased was once again identified by it band number, as being WIND from this nest site at the Sheraton.

This time, the pursuing peregrine actually landed on the leading edge of Sheraton nest ledge forcing WIND off the ledge. This new bird, was wearing a solid black band on its right leg, and a silver coloured band on it's left leg. For some 30 minutes while it stayed on the nest ledge, this adult male was very interested and most curious about the sight of the four chicks hobbling around on the nest ledge.

At no time did any of the chicks make any effort or motion towards this male peregrine, and at no time did he make any effort or motion to get closer to the chicks. Some thirty minutes later, WIND arrived back at the nest ledge with a freshly killed (dripping red with blood) small pigeon squab - ( with underdeveloped primary flight feathers). This kill was not prepared in the usual way that food is typically brought in by other adult peregrines at other nest sites observed over the past eight years.

Upon WIND'S arrival, the other adult male was spooked off the ledge, flying to the south east, in the direction of the 18 King street nest site, and finally disappeared from our view. During this observation, there was although no confrontation or vocalizing.

WIND then walked back into the nest, and proceeded to feed the chicks. The chicks were fed, in addition to WIND eating much of the kill it brought in. It was also noted at this time, that the pigeon squab brought in had a crop full of yellow corn kernels that spilled out of the pigeons crop onto the nest ledge as it was torn apart at this feeding. The entire pigeon was consumed by the 4 chicks and the attending adult. After the feeding of the chicks, the adult proceeded to cover and brood over the chicks (now bedded down after the meal).

It is our belief that Windwhistler is the sire/father at both the Toronto downtown nest site, AND the Sheraton nest site. This might explain why he was allowed safe passage to get to the Sheraton nest ledge without confrontation. It might also explain why WIND is being allowed (at least by this male) free access to the air space so close to the 18 King Street nest territory. Based on our earlier observations this day, (and many of the other volunteer observations over the past weeks), it would appear that "Mandy", the adult territorial female at the 18 King Street nest site, does not share the same view of WIND'S presence in the territory. Given that we witnessed a much larger peregrine stooping and attacking WIND earlier, it would appear that there is conflict between the two females, while the single adult male is quite tolerant of the situation.

MNR was contacted once again at the end of the day, and advised of the days observations

Friday May 28, 2004
Jan Chudy reports: I am very happy to advise that I received a very warm welcome from the tenant on the top floor of 130 Adelaide West. Off the reception area is a boardroom which faces directly to the Sheraton ledge and appears to be virtually at the same level. I set up the scope and had a terrific view of the birds. One of the senior staff whose office is next door came in and asked some questions. The end result is, I can go back as frequently as I like, and she plans to bring in her binoculars and will let me know if she spots anything of particular interest (particularly the band colours). I was not able to see the colour of the adult's bands but if she had been standing on the ledge, I certainly would have. Two of the chicks were active, awkwardly walking around. She seems very attentive, though.

Thursday May 27, 2004
Jan Chudy reports: I checked on the chicks and mom throughout the day. The following are the highlights: At 9:50 a.m. the adult left the chicks and flew to the NW corner of 130 Adelaide where she preened for some time. Checking at 10:15, no adult was visible. At 10:40 she was feeding the chicks. Five minutes later, she left them, then returned after another five minutes (at 11 a.m.) with more food. After that, much snuggling and resting. At 1:15 p.m. showing off the view to Harry, the adult was seen chasing off a determined seagull who was flying close to the nest ledge. It took a few passes by the adult for the seagull to finally give up. At 2:00 p.m. there was another feeding. Then the chicks were all tucked under mom for some rest time. Checking at 3:50 the adult was not visible. However, shortly after that, it returned with more food. Then more resting. No observations after 5 p.m. It appears that the adult is catching and stashing the prey and bringing it all dressed to the nest ledge. Curiously, I have not seen a second adult for some time (at least 2/3 weeks).