!!! Hitching a Ride, Lily our little stow-away
June 18, 2008 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
I was up and out the door early. After a quick head count at the King St. site I made my way over to the Sheraton hoping to see an empty spot where Lily had a sleep over.
Nope, she’s still there but this morning she is restless and obviously is not comfortable anymore, probably hunger is becoming her main drive to leave. I also can confirm that Unity is still on the ledge. A few puffs of white still evident but she is constantly preening it out.
At street level am in a good position to see all three juvies. Belle who was on the Starbucks building is now on the balcony of the office building just west of York and Adelaide.
Belle took off and made her way to the terrace of Lombard Place. Later she will be discovered on the shoulders of 120 Adelaide st.
At around 9:00 a.m. Lily took off from her window sill at the Keg area and headed east through the pedestrian court. Knowing that’s short flight, I found her on the ground, but there was lots of open space and she immediately took off a second time flying low, heading north and towards the Richmond St. Her flight was low and flew just over the skylights of the court area.
I was thinking she may do the “bat thing on the wall of the Sheraton, she instead landed on the roof of a High- way Coach. I immediately found the driver as he was boarding passengers and told him of his stow-away.
At first they driver was not concerned, and others did not understand the situation, but after informing them of our young birds and showing them Little Lily, they immediately gave me their full support.
Mark Nash was immediately called when she landed, and he and Marion were on their way. At the same time I receive a call to report a “downed” bird at Front Street. Sue from FLAP happen to arrive on site earlier after a rescue of a Wood Duck, and had returned. She volunteered to go and help the grounded Kestrel on Front St.
With the assistance of building operators from the Oxford Properties, Tiberio Mederios who also obtained a ladder for us, and Joe Silva. We were all in place and ready to go.
Marion directed traffic around the area of the bus, I stood on the sidewalk near the front of the bus, to distract Lily. Tiberio held the ladder as Mark went up the ladder with the net and gently scooped our little “Stow-way” Lily.
With cheers from the crowd that had gathered in the pedestrian court,Lily was briefly introduced to “her” people. With oohs and awhhs, the everyone now understood why we go out of our way to protect these birds from certain dangers.
A quick examination and Lily was no worse for the wear. She is healthy, lovely and certainly a hand full, as Mark has the “marks” on his arms to prove it.
She will be put back on the ledge after dark.
The remainder of the day was generally quiet, Belle was on the lower of the Adelaide buildings at 1:00p.m. and thought to have been seen on the taller of the Adelaide buildings,at 3:45 p.m. but by the time I got to a second spotting angle, the bird had gone.
After the rains, another check and I could not see Belle, and adult was on the north east corner of Dominion Securities, a new place, while the second adult was on the Antenna of the Sheraton at 4:20 pm
Food went into the ledge at 6:15p.m.
At 8;00p.m. Adult on the cooling tower railings of 120 Adelaide, Belle was on the east side shoulder of 120 Adelaide.
Unity on the nest ledge sleeping and Lily was in the departure lounge.
At 10:30p.m. Mark and I did a one last examination of Lily before placing her back on the ledge. No evident signs of any injuries, feathers were all intact. While giving her water, allowed us a chance to see the mouth cavity and it was pink and clear. Her eyes were clear and focused on us.
She was ready.
A quick look through the camera to find Unity under the night time camera, which was perfect. Just where we would like to have her.
Lily was placed back on the ledge and did not disturb Unity.
All was quiet when we left the area.
A great big thanks to Andrew Semenov, General Manager of BelCa Tours and Coach. Tiberio Medeiros,of Oxford Properties for obtaining a ladder and safely assisting Mark. Sheraton Centre Hotel, for the disruption at curb side of the motor coach area.
To all the office people that gathered around the area and gave their moral support.
What a day and another story for the book “Remember The Time”.
It seems Sheraton Birds always have the best rescues ever!
Linda.
Photos by Linda Woods.
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