I had been complaining for some time about not been able to get a very close
look at the falcons seen atMt Sinai and wondered if I gothigher powered
binoculars, it might make a difference. 10x 50’s I figured might allow me to see
more definition and maybe a leg band. etc..
Well, hold the Visa Grannie, today I got a very very close look and this time
“it was personal”!!!!Won’t need that bathroom break after all!!!
I had been at the viewing spot several times over the past 3-4 weeks since hearing that apair of peregrines may have a nest on the East ledge of Mt Sinai. I agreed to have a gander whenever I had time and note behaviour.. Thus far I have seen only a single bird in one or 2 perches, mostly onledges on the EAST side and presumably near the nest.. Last weekend I did see 2 birds but not in the nest they are presumed to occupy.
At 6;45 am today I began my watch. I saw nothing from6-10 am. At timea friend joined me .. We chatted from a position inside a deck area and then a bird was seen flying over PMH and airborne. We followed it and kept an eye on the nest area as well
The bird flew eastward and overhead to the top of the physical plant tower on WALTON St. and sat there for some time. It seemed to be relaxed and preened itself , and perched with its back to the nest site.We approached the edge of the viewing area and after a lengthy chat andviewing as we chatted, I heard the word “RUN!!”Out of my left eye I caught sight of a blur in brown and a falcon cruised in front of our faces about 2-3 feet away. Made a swoop past us and returned. We ran for cover and the bird made a few more swoopswhere we had been and then perched on the SOUTH East corner and watched us intently. We could not go back to fetch our belongings. A leg band was seen from this vantage point and it appears to be the peregrine named, WIND. I fetched an old umbrella and managed to retrieve our belongings. While the falcon was perched on the eastern point of the building, a sea gull began to dodge and dart around it and eventually managed to get the falcon to move. A chase then took place when they were airborne.Falcon then went back to its perch on the physical plant tower,
It was an amazing sight at close range and I have nothing but respect for the business end of a Peregrine falcon.” Wind”, be assured I will not wear my orange jacket and hang out at far recesses for a protracted period of time, AGAIN-EVER.
So it seems we were being watched very carefully. I might have looked like
an orange bird about to leave my perch and go to my nest. Now I understand the peregrine having a large territory. Who would have thought that this bird would come this far to remind us.
My heart was still pounding an hour later.I never imagined anything exciting like this happening. Very close encounter one I will always remember.
The parents put on a great aerial show later this afternoon in front of the nest ledge for their young viewing audience. After a day spent mostly napping and looking around, the young got to see how it’s done! Both parents were gliding in tandem by the nest, backwards and forwards..they even passed over the heads of the young on the ledge a few times. I’m not sure if this was an effort by them to motivate the young or if they were simply enjoying some time off from parenting duties.
Mystery solved! We are happy to share with you the identity of the adult female Peregrine falcon currently raising one healthy chick on the Durant Hotel in Flint, Michigan. Her band was read and confirmed as Black 7 over 5, according to the CPF (Canadian Peregrine Foundation) the University of Michigan Flint has welcomed ‘Majesty’ to their campus! She was born at the 18 King Street nest site in downtown Toronto in 2002. Her parents were non-other than Ponce-Kingsley and Victoria - Toronto’s first nesting peregrines on record in 100 years. Majesty was one of five hatchlings produced that year and all of her siblings have been reported dead over the years. Majesty is the last known living legacy of Ponce-Kingsley and Victoria - Mark Nash from the CPF was very excited to hear that she is doing well and has successfully reared young. Majesty was undetected for seven years, and some people wonder why we band?
Kariann R. Anderson
SE Michigan Peregrine Falcon Coordinator
Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division
Ponce Kingsley and Victoria were also the parents of Cabot-Sirocco-Mariah’s first mate.
June 04, 2009 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
June 1, 2009
Mystery solved! We are happy to share with you the identity of the adult female Peregrine falcon currently raising one healthy chick on the Durant Hotel in Flint, Michigan. Her band was read and confirmed as Black 7 over 5, according to the CPF (Canadian Peregrine Foundation) the University of Michigan Flint has welcomed ‘Majesty’ to their campus! She was born at the 18 King Street nest site in downtown Toronto in 2002. Her parents were non-other than Ponce-Kingsley and Victoria - Toronto’s first nesting peregrines on record in 100 years. Majesty was one of five hatchlings produced that year and all of her siblings have been reported dead over the years. Majesty is the last known living legacy of Ponce-Kingsley and Victoria - Mark Nash from the CPF was very excited to hear that she is doing well and has successfully reared young. Majesty was undetected for seven years, and some people wonder why we band?
Kariann R. Anderson
SE Michigan Peregrine Falcon Coordinator
Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division
Ponce Kingsley and Victoria were also the parents of Cabot-Sirocco-Mariah’s first mate.
Nothing but napping going on at the nestbox ledge this morning, which is pretty much all this motley crew did yesterday afternoon as well. Both parents on standby just in case but I think these 3 have it all figured out. Flap for food and pretend we may consider flying off into the blue yonder. After consuming food, lay down for a nice long nap, rinse…repeat! Lazy days of summer indeed!
Seems Frank and I were thinking the same thing this morning.
Two quick videos to share. The first video shows the little peregrines still sleeping as their mother arrives with breakfast (around the 2:45 mark). The second, shows them finishing up breakfast, then some blank stares, then a stretch, and some walking around.
Frank Butson put together a fantastic video that shows both what happened on the inside AND outside on the nest ledge during the banding at the Toronto Sheraton Centre last week.
