June 10, 2009 - International, National and Local News
Kathy Reports:
Found a great falcon news story today in the Buffalo News that I wanted to share with falcon fans. Given that peregrine falcons still suffer from a high mortality rate, this is truly amazing!
By Jake May
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Like the legend of the Phoenix, a peregrine falcon that went missing after nesting for years at the Statler Towers has seemingly risen from the dead.
The male bird was found Tuesday crossing a driveway in Amherst.
The 20-year-old male bird, which vanished one year ago, was thought to be dead because he is one of the oldest peregrine falcons ever recorded.
“He just disappeared. Gone without a trace,” said Connie M. Adams, a state Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife biologist. “Instead, we find out that he had been evicted [by another bird].”
The falcon was picked up by Buffalo Animal Control, then passed on to the DEC. Currently, he is at Erie County SPCA headquarters in the Town of Tonawanda, where his health is being evaluated.
Joel Thomas, a wildlife administrator for the SPCA, said the bird has been grounded for a few days. Thomas also said the bird has a severe fracture on his left leg and may also have internal injuries.
“We don’t know if he was knocked out of the sky by his competition, but it definitely comes as a surprise that he is still alive,” Thomas said. “If he wound up dead in the cage tomorrow, I wouldn’t be shocked because he’s in real rough shape, beyond being attacked.”
Thomas said once SPCA officials diagnose the bird, they will decide if the falcon can survive surgery. If surgery is performed, it would take about one month for the bird to recover.
He also said the bird’s days in the wild are over — that he will probably live the rest of his life in an educational or research institution.
The falcon first appeared in downtown Buffalo in 1996 and began nesting at the Statler Tower in 1998. DEC officials estimate he fathered nearly 40 other falcons with three females in his 12 years on the scene.
“It’s truly amazing,” Adams said. “For him to be alive without a nest for this long is testament to how tough a bird he really is. He is a survivor.”
Posted on June 10, 2009 10:02 pm
June 09, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Tonight was even better than yesterday. The new family has settled in and are loving life. For the first little while, I couldn’t see any of the chicks but was comforted by the fact that O’Connor was sitting squarely on the SE corner of the building. I walked the perimeter below the ledge and found a fresh pigeon kill picked completely clean, not a scrap left. The resident adult male (Hurricane) was on the southern side of the building on the “H” taking a break but not for long. Within minutes of my arrival, he was off like a man on a mission. Just after his take-off, three little sleepy heads popped out from behind the “H’ on the east side where the nest tray is located. After much stretching, the three juveniles preened themselves silly. One of the chicks, the larger female Margaritta, started preening with preen oil all of her new feathers that are working there way in.
Heads up… …Dad’s ee-chupping! Sounds like dinner! 8:05pm. Right on time! A pass off of food from Hurricane to O’Connor who then prepped the dinner for feeding. She flew over to join her chicks and with the utmost care and attention, beak fed each chick in turn. It was absolutely amazing to be a part of such a tender moment between mother and young. After dinner, a good romp on the ledge with much wing stretching, pouncing and flapping exercises before off to bed they went with Hurricane above them on the “H” and O’Connor back on the SE corner.
Posted on June 10, 2009 5:25 pm
June 08, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
The drive to the site was the longest I have ever taken anywhere. I was so excited to see how the new peregrine family was doing and it seemed to take forever to get there! I arrived just after 6:00pm and met up with Mark Nash from the CPF who had been there since 3PM to do the foster. What a wonderful sight to behold. Two very elated parents were attending to their three new chicks. The resident adult female was all over the site ( get more food, get that gull, watch the babies, more food!). She tended to the chicks every demand and watched their every move. The resident adult male was busily hunting non-stop to keep up with the new family demands bringing in 4 meals, one as large as a pigeon, over the next three hours. Both of the adults did such an amazing job.
The juveniles were equally excited about their new home. They spent time exploring both the nest tray and the ledge, often running along up to their new parents. Playtime was also on the bill for this evening as the chicks took turns inverting their heads at one another and pouncing on any inanimate object they could find. One of the juveniles ( I’ll bet it was Apollo the little male!) discovered that the ledge actually continues around the side of the building. He didn’t get more than a couple of steps down the southern ledge before Mom flew over and herded him back to the tray vocalizing at him the whole way back. By nightfall, all three chicks had incredibly full crops and after a bit of direction from Mom, headed off into the nest tray for bed.
Congratulations to dad Hurricane and mom O’Connor for a job well done. A huge success and certainly now one of my fondest peregrine memories!
Posted on June 10, 2009 5:04 pm
June 10, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Apologies for the lack of updates but it has been crazy around here! All three young ones have now fledged, before I give you the details let me just tell you their names as we seem to have omitted that little detail.
The female is named Elena, the two males are Perry and Mackenzie! It was Mackenzie who spent a few days in the tree in a backyard with crows, blue jays and squirrels who seemed to be put out by his presence! As Bayley mentioned yesterday, he did make it back to the building but couldn’t make the flight up so he decided to jump down on a terrace and was rescued yesterday morning by Mark Nash. After a few hours he was put back on the rooftop and reunited with his family and last night he was back on the ledge with his brother and sister and enjoyed a good meal from mom!
When I arrived this morning at 7:00 am it was to have Diana greet me with the news that Elena had fledged earlier this morning. She had a difficult time maintaining her height and eventually came to ground near the parking ramp and fortunately Diana was here to rescue her before any vehicles came in! She is now resting comfortably in a cool environment and will be reunited with her family later this evening.
Perry is our superstar flier! He fledged day before yesterday and from the get go has stayed up high. He even managed to land on top of the web cam on his first day out which earned him many accolades from Bruce! It is quite a feat and one that is usually not achieved until the young have more flying experience.
About a half hour ago I went out to check on the family and could hear a youngster screaming..but with joy..and looked up and Perry and mom were flying together and she was teaching him to glide! What a sight and always my favorite part when you practically hear them laughing with glee as they discover the thrill of being a falcon! He then flew back to the ledge and landed by Mackenzie who I think has decided he’s had enough adventure to last him for now and has chosen to enjoy the view and being home for the day!
Posted on June 10, 2009 2:11 pm
June 10, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
We are going to kick of the official start of the 2009 Fledge Watch and looking forward to another successful year. Your hatchlings are warming up to take their first flights and Marion and I will be on site this year as the official fledge watch coordinators. We look forward to seeing you all again this year and welcome your support and assistance to help out with the fledge watch. Everything should be set up and ready to go by 10am on Saturday morning June 13th and hope to see you all again this year.
Posted on June 10, 2009 10:32 am
June 09, 2009 - Ottawa - Delta Ottawa City Centre
CPF Volunteer Reports:
What a rainy, cold day! Breakfast was served around 7:30 by Connor. Most of the day was quiet. I arrived around 4 this time and shortly after we saw the crown of a fuzzy head near the corner! In spite of getting my scope set up, we only saw adults after that. That is until nearly 7:30. Of course, I was inside when the sighting happened, but the fuzzy crown was seen again, nearly beside the 3rd column……… Diana flew over there and probably made it move back inside as it wasn’t seen again this evening. Diana did bring food earlier. When we left Connor had been on the antenna of the Carlysle Building and Diana had been on the southwest corner of Tower A, but she moved just before we left, out of sight somewhere. At least it wasn’t raining anymore.
Cheers, Eve
Posted on June 10, 2009 9:49 am
June 09, 2009 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
After a first flight yesterday afternoon at 4:20p.m. and ending up on the north facing Hilton. Stormin was indicated as missing early this morning.
Heavy thunder storms rolled through the Toronto Area last night and this may have cause Stormin to seek cover. Last seen on the Hilton last night at 9:15pm. An extensive search by Jan, Zoe and myself of all roof tops, ledges, and the Keg. We’ll have to try again tomorrow.
The remaining siblings are very active on the ledge. Lots of flapping and running. This evening I saw an adult run off a gull in the area between the Fours Seasons Performing Arts Centre and the north side of the Hilton. Although checked numerous times, I tried again. Back up to the higher elevations to take a look a the roof of Arts Centre and no luck. I took this time to check on the others and all three were accounted for.
Back to street level. An adult did take off and headed due north and up towards the Court House and past. Hmmm, interesting, into the “others’ territory.
More searching of trees along University Ave and every glass balcony I could see. Still nothing. Again, the adult was taking a run at a gull in the same area at 8:30p.m. Back up to the upper levels to check this out. Nothing again. This time when checking on the remaining juveniles, I could only see two. Nestled and snuggled for the night. The third could be in the pile, but was not clearly seen. I closed for the night at 9:15 p.m.
Posted on June 9, 2009 10:53 pm
June 09, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
This afternoon, while hanging around during a boring watch, Cirrus took off screaming at about 3:30pm. What was entering her “No Fly Zone” this time? My first thought was another Turkey Vulture, but to our surprise, it was an adult Bald Eagle. The chase took place directly over our heads. As Barry said “that was worth the price of admission”!!
Also, below is a photo of “How We Look Today”. The daily change is amazing. The wing flapping has started, but it is still inside the next box. Thank goodness.
Posted on June 9, 2009 9:20 pm
June 09, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Baylie Kastner Reports:
Mackenzie flew from his perch on a tree and ended up on the trellis walk of the condo. He was spotted by Cathy who called Bruce who called me and I went to investigate. This happened just before 8 am.
Posted on June 9, 2009 5:12 pm
June 09, 2009 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Kathy Smith Reports:
Was able to get on the roof of the Yellow Pages building to check on nesting progress. There was only one egg and no adults in sight. After exploring the west to south side of the roof, mom showed up. She didn’t seem overly aggressive but I didn’t stay around long enough to give her a chance. From the ground, I watched her activity. She seem to be circuling the building and roosted on the top peek. She then flew off to the south and I was not able to spot her after that. She never returned to the nest site during that half hour.
Kathy
Posted on June 9, 2009 4:53 pm
