April 30, 2009 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
Linda Woods Reports:
In January 2002, volunteers with the Canadian Peregrine Foundationreported numerous sightings of a pair of Peregrine Falcons along University Ave, south of College St. to Dundas St. These two birds would be seen perched on various tall buildings along this stretch of city blocks including the Hydro building, St. Patrick Subway station and Mt. Sinai Hospital.
As the sightings increased and the peregrines developed a pattern of frequenting one particular building, we knew we had another pair of nesting peregrine falcons, looking for a home to choose a nesting area, lay eggs and raise a brood of “chicks”.
The building was Mt. Sinai Hospital.
March 2002, the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, along with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the enthusicastic blessings of Mt.Sinai Hospital, CPF installed a nesting tray on the east side of the hospital to encourage these rare birds to nest. Courtship behaviour continued after installation of the nest tray and everyone was hopeful.
Sightings of the peregrines in the direct area of the hospital continued throughout the month of March and well into April of that year, but slowly dropped off . By June of 2002, only chance sightings of peregrines were reported, perching on the hospital and in the direct area, Hopes of a nest at Mt. Sinai were dashed and no longer possible for 2002. We had soon discovered that this pair of peregrines had moved on and had taken over the active nest at King St.
Over the next 6 years, only occasional sightings of peregrines in the area have been reported, but these birds were actually the adult and offspring from the Sheraton Centre Hotel nest site, not any new birds to this area.
February 2009, while exiting the Queen’s Park Subway station, myself and another volunteer looked up and discovered two peregrines roosting on the far north-east facing ledge. We looked at each other and said “Peregrines!” Both surprised and elated by our find, that after such a long time, finally we have some activity.
Since February 2009, the adult peregrines have been seen on a daily basis in and on the east facing “ledges”. At one time it looked as if they were attempting to nest, but the next day, they were on different ledge areas again. The current behaviour, although encouraging, it is not promising that this pair will produce a clutch of eggs.
We do not have a positive identification of this adult pair, but reports from other observers lead us to believe it is the pair from the uptown area, known as Ranger and Hunter. This pair is has a history of nesting failures that we believe is biological. Observations to date lead us to believe that this pair has not put down any eggs to date, at the Mt. Sinai. Hospital nesting tray.
Monitoring will continue and observations will be posted as they are received. The Canadian Peregrine Foundation welcomes any observations regarding this pair in the area.
Posted on April 30, 2009 8:50 pm
April 29, 2009 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
Today it is confirmed that there are 3 falcons here. They were all seen at the same time by Rolf. And if we were wondering if the remaining 2 eggs will be able to hatch, we are wondering no more as the birds were not on them all day or in the morning when I arrived at work at 6:00 am. I think our only hope to have young ones this year is if they have another clutch. We are also wondering if it is possible that the 3rd falcon could be Freedom. It is very difficult to get a good look at bands here in this situation as the falcons are guarding the nest box at all times and this is our best spot to view them. The intruding falcon is not able to get close enough for us to view his or her bands (providing it has any). Don’t worry though, it’s just a matter of time before we get that information.
Posted on April 29, 2009 9:29 pm
April 29, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
Kathy reports as of this morning - April 29th -2009; there are now three hatchlings in the nest!
We waited after work for a feeding and observed 3 little ones!! When I was down for the 1:30 feeding there was only 2 hatchlings and this morning we observed 3!!! While we still can’t see another egg and I’m a bit confused as both Alison and myself took a screenshot with 4 eggs in it! So either they are laying on it or we were tricked!!
I will go in for 7 am tomorrow and see if I can’t see more. She’s sitting really tight on them, no doubt because of the cold and rain but I will figure it out!!
Posted on April 29, 2009 10:51 am
April 28, 2009 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
As incubation continues and anticipation increases for the arrival of 5 hatchlings, I am still not able to capture an image from the web cam of a hand off of the nest.
I’ll keep trying. I suspect we’ll have to wait until at least one egg hatches before we can see both adults and the eggs together.
Posted on April 28, 2009 9:36 pm
April 28, 2009 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
On April 25th a falcon was spotted chasing another falcon forcing it to within 6′ of the water. I think there are 3 falcons here & a dispute is in progress. When I returned to work on Monday 27th , the clutch of 4 eggs was reduced to 2! To add to that, after about 3 weeks of hard incubation (we barely had a chance to view any eggs during this time), the birds were off the eggs most of the day even although it was a warm 70 degrees. Today was the same thing, the birds were hardly on the eggs all day but the temp. was a cool 55 degrees. It was also obvious that the birds seemed a bit on edge. I’m not sure what this means for the chance of these eggs being viable but we’re still hoping.
Posted on April 28, 2009 9:11 pm
April 28, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
We have good news indeed! With many thanks to Kathy in Etobicoke, she has confirmed that as of this morning, Tuesday April 28th, the Etobicoke peregrines at the Bloor & Islington nest site have hatched their first two eggs! While the computer still causes us grief, the live colour monitor is still producing a wonderful colour live image of the happenings going on in the nest tray, and by 8:26 am this morning we were being e-mail that the first egg had hatched. By 10am, Kathy was updating us as to the presence of a second hatchling being visible. Congratulations to the Etobicoke pair!!
Thank you Kathy!!
Posted on April 28, 2009 5:58 pm
April 27, 2009 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Jan Chudy Reports:
This was sent to me from Jan. This photo captured at 5:15p.m. today.
All is well.
Posted on April 27, 2009 6:16 pm
April 26, 2009 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
For those of you that have been following the Rochester falcons, you already know that there resident falcons there have had a tough go this year. If you don’t know I’ll bring you up to speed. 1st of all, they had to move their nest box as Kodak needed to do major repairs to the structure where the falcons were nesting. The female (Mariah) was traumatised by the netting they put up to restrict her access & the male (Kaver) did not return this year. Mariah ended up severly injured in a terreratorial dispute by 2 young intruders, a male & a female. It turns out that the male in question is a 2006 bird from Port Colborne named “Archer”. For those of you who don’t know, our plant name (ADM) stands for “Archer Daniels Midland” so we thought Archer was an appropriate name. Please keep in mind that Freedom (the male who produced Archer) is the 1st offspring of Mariah & Kaver, so although it is very sad to see what has happened to 2 of the most prolific falcons in recorded history, we here in Port Colborne are glad to hear that one of Mariah’s grandsons lives on in the skies of Rochester hopefully to carry on the legacy. I have more news but it will have to wait until tommorow.
Posted on April 26, 2009 10:13 pm
April 24, 2009 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Again I was unable to snap a photo of the adults on the eggs. I manage to get the top of Tiago’s head.
I’ll keep trying
Posted on April 24, 2009 7:44 pm
April 23, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Yesterday, between 1:00 and 2:30 Bill and I made our daily visit to the Lift Bridge. When we arrived, there was nothing to be seen. All of a sudden, the chirping started. An adult emerged from the nest box, standing guard on the corner, and another adult came out of nowhere and landed on the old nest ledge. We knew something was amiss because of the chirping. Low and behold, another adult appeared flying above the Hamilton tower. The chirping continued for quite a while as the third adult soared over the tower. Then the pursuit started. The chase was on and two birds disappeared over CCIW and out of our view. After about 15 minutes, an adult reappeared and disappeared into the nest box. So when we left around 2:30, there was still only 1 adult accounted for. It sure is different this year with all new perches and hiding places. These birds are darn difficult to spot. This is the third visit in the last week that we have seen 3 peregrines on site.
Posted on April 24, 2009 7:42 pm
