June 18, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
Today was not much unlike yesterday, cold, rainy, damp and over cast. High winds from the lake, and gloomy. Sadly, as the early morning watch drew on, it became quite apparent that something was wrong. One bird in the rescue carrier waiting to be released, one bird on the nest box ledge,, and ….. OH GOD, only one bird on the nest box ledge!! NONE in the nest box itself. This is not Berl, it’s Maple,, the smallest, youngest female that is the one on the nest box ledge!
Hours later after turning the entire area upside down scanning and searching the fields, the beaches, the docks, the towers, the rocks, the parking lots, the bridge, the beams, the towers and every nook and cranny, some terrible sobering thoughts surfaced: Berl had obviously fledged at some point in the very early morning hours and has in fact gone missing. Not a trace. As the day passed, numerous other searches were conducted by all, together and independently, all with the same result, and by the end of the day as darkness fell, Berl had not be found.
Despite the gloomy day, there was some good news. Truss, now dried off and recharged was released back to the wild to her family without a hitch. Once again the fledge watch team sprung into action, positioning themselves at all four points around the towers and bridge, radios in hand: they poised themselves for Truss’s release from the roof of the north tower. Despite the high winds and a risky daylight release, and with the direction and supervision of the bridge staff, Truss’s release went like a routine everyday happening. Thank goodness!!! A half and hour later, Truss eventually left the roof top of the north tower with a very short flight out and back around to the land on the overhead cables high up on the north tower. Throughout the afternoon she was visited by both of her parents and encouraged to take another flight. But this time, Truss would have no part of it. For the balance of the day light hours, she remained on the overhead cables only a few short meters from the nest box. Her sister Maple (now for the first time) was observed roosting on the leading edge of the nest box landing platform, just as her two older sisters had done. On one occasion, mom did bring in a small food scrap to Truss, but sadly Truss was unable to balance on the cable and hold the food at the same time, and eventually dropped the food without getting a second mouthful.
No food again today for Truss! Maple was fed at least once by the parents, but for the most parts, both juveniles did without. Both parents were observed making many attempts at catching food today, but the it was quite obvious that the rain and heavy mist in the air took its toll on the adults ability to catch food. They spent most of the day very wet.
With a huge thank you for to all of the fledge watch team, the bridge staff and the many other supporters that helped throughout the day.
Only a special few actually know what it is really like to put in 12 to 16 hours a day standing in the streets or the field enduring the rain and cold or the heat and humidity day after day trying to make a small difference, to give something back to the small creatures in this world that really have no voice in this hustle bustle world that we live in. The world that we control and manipulate to suit our needs, not theirs. Life in the big city and in the fast lane for these small fragile creatures with voices that go unnoticed, clinging and holding on to a tiny space trying to survive for another day. Just one small page for the life and times of a falcon watcher on a fledge watch, and an urban falcon family in the big city.
I know that I can speak for us all in the hope that tomorrow brings some warmer temps., and maybe the return of Berl.
Stay tuned,,,
Posted on June 19, 2009 1:51 am
June 18, 2009 - Ottawa - Delta Ottawa City Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Tailer decided to stay home today, although several times he looked as if he was going to fly again. It is not unusual for a chicklet to rest a few hours or a few days before flying again. Food drops were scarce as well. Both chicklets were seen together off and on all day. They went to the northeast corner, where some wing-flapping was seen.
By evening both were back at the southeast corner. At one point they were side by side near the string that hangs down from the roof about 1/2 way along the ledge, Tailer in his usual pose and Nihei with her face turned outward. We have had the opportunity to see more of her, and we do believe we have a female. Although neither chicklet would sit up side by side, we have seen them together, from the shoulders up and she is bulkier than he is. She has not yet sat with her tail out and hanging down as her brother does. Maybe tomorrow.
The adults were not as active today, possibly due to the light rain that arrived part way through the day. They did fly around the Crowne occasionally. Connor was seen fleeing from the inside of the ledge, probably having checked out the possibility of leftovers. Nihei took exception to this as she determined she was starving and let everyone know all evening. Diana was on Tower 2, which crew both chicklets to the southeast corner. As we left, we still heard loud persistent calling, volume stepped up at times. How can Diana and Connor ignore that?
Eve Ticknor
Posted on June 19, 2009 12:18 am
June 18, 2009 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
All four remain on the nest ledge. Lots of flapping, screaming and running. This evening one of the juveniles was seen climbing the centre pillar.
Flight lessons from the adult, had us fooled momentarily as we had thought one took flight. It was the Erin, the adult female giving lessons. She would fly to the ledge walk through to the otherside and then take off, circling back to the ledge. This afternoon, while one adult was on the railing of CHFI, the other was on the south-west corner of 33 Victoria. St.
Erin took food into the ledge this evening and did not immediately come back out after dropping it off. She must have been feeding the younger juvies.
I think we are getting close to a first fledge with this change of behaviour and hopefully change in weather for tomorrow. Warmer temperatures are fore-casted.
Posted on June 18, 2009 9:55 pm
June 17, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
While this morning started out adrenaline filled with “Truss” having taken her first flight, the balance of the day up until this evening was a terrible, cold, blustery rainy damp day! Thank goodness for all of the great company and support of the other fledge watch team as this was one of the longest drawn out terrible days on a fledge watch days I can remember. A huge thank you to the bridge staff and management team as without them we would have all frozen.
Just when you thought the day was almost over, (and hoping that the fledge watch day would end), Truss made an effort to fly from the south tower to the north tower back to her siblings and the security of the nest box. Despite the heavy rains, the cold constant winds from the lake and huge gusts of wind, and her being soaking wet, Truss attempted her second flight with the expected disastrous results, down down down she came ending up on the other side of the canal - (thank goodness on land and NOT in the water), and ended up behind a fence enclosure under the lift bridge. After a coordinated effort by all, she was finally spotted by Linda and we all rolled into action. Some with the rescue carrier, others with towels in hand, radios chattering, corralling and blocking, it was like a master game plan just before the final play,, and finally Truss was in hand! Talk about having a BAD FEATHER DAY,, Truss was retrieved , rescued and in the bag as we say, safe and sound! Truly a coordinated effort by all and a job well done!
Soaked to the bone is an understatement! Vicious and Feisty is also another understatement to describe her! Truss was carefully examined to ensure that she had not been injured in the ordeal, and was allowed to de-stress in a warm, dry quiet space. After consultation with the MNR regarding her drenched and cold condition, and in consideration to the heavy rain fall and high gusty winds, the decision was made to hold her over the night and release her in the morning made perfect sense. With dangerous conditions on the tower roof, and the further threats of thunderstorms and lightning throughout the night, in addition to not being able to put her back in the nest box itself without the risk of scaring her two other younger siblings out of the nest box before their time, Truss will have the opportunity to dry out and warm up over night before being released tomorrow.
Sadly, it appears that more rainy, damp and cold temps., will continue to haunt us all for the next few days of the fledge watch. Stay tuned, tomorrow is another day.
Posted on June 18, 2009 1:09 am
June 17, 2009 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
A Great Big THANK -YOU to the Sheraton Centre Hotel Pool Staff person and Security Staff for assisting in the recovery of ” Liberty”.
Liberty, confirmed by her leg bands, was found in the pool area on one of the chaise lounges without a towel. Pool personal notified hotel security of this fashion faux pas.
Security came to the rescue and safely secured the area and gently placed the 47day old female into the animal carrier.
Liberty took her first flight yesterday morning at 09:15 hours and appeared to be doing very well. Jan had good view of her as she took off and was very pleased of how well she flew. Today, Harry, Jan, Marion and Bruce could only confirm that we had a count of three juvies throughout the day.
With the constant rain that moved into the area, it was difficult to see the juveniles on the tall structures and the watch was closed for the day. Three were confirmed in view at that time. Hopefully this will be the fourth.
On examination, by Bruce and myself, Liberty was found to be free of any signs of trauma and was in a good hissy mood.
She was returned to the nest ledge at around 22:00 hours and quickly settled in the dark.
Canadian Peregrine Foundation, and the dedicated group of peregrine followers from Rochester, New York ( who named Liberty ) would like to thank the hotel staff for the bird’s safe recovery.
Kudo’s for a job well done. Thanks.
Thanks Bruce for coming all the way back to release her.
Posted on June 18, 2009 12:10 am
June 17, 2009 - Ottawa - Delta Ottawa City Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
It is amazing that we have put 10 days under our belts already. So many sore necks will attest to that. How many of you have spent 4 hours at a time staring up at a ledge on the 25th story level? Some of us have.
Tailer was still on the Constitution Square, Tower 1 this morning. He spent lots of time up there, exploring the edges, going back and forth. Nihei was seen briefly on the ledge, but still not the whole body.
Around 1pm, Diana and Connor had been flying around, trying to get Tailer flying again. It worked. He tried to fly to the hotel ledge, but couldn’t do it, so returned to Tower 1. Then he tried to fly over to the top of Tower 2 ( higher than Tower 1 ) but missed and started to tumble down. Anuok watched as he fell. Then he stuck out his wings and caught himself. He leveled out around 30 feet, and crossed over Albert St, heading into the outdoor eating area below Tower B of Place de Ville. He landed on the patio, and made his way back to a corner with a glass window. There he was expertly picked up by our Liz Greene and popped into our rescue box where he waited for Bill Petrie to come band him. We thank Lisa Hill and Donna Morgan-Linde for coming to help! Once Bill had finished, he, with Liz and Anouk took Tailer back up to his home ledge. There he stayed for the rest of today. For those interested, he weighed 614 gms. His black band has 02 over Y in white lettering.
And now for Nihei. She was seen a little only once in a while, and heard calling. Later on we did see her at the northern end. We saw wing-flapping once in a while. Then we did see more of her, from below the crop up. One volunteer thought we were looking at Diana as she seemed big. We should see more of her over the next few days and soon she will also be trying out her wings. Let’s hope Kathy will give her namesake good luck!
Posted on June 17, 2009 11:53 pm
June 16, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
The weather tonight is as fine as it gets and the three juveniles were enjoying it as much as I was. It is nights like tonight that make watching juvenile peregrines so much fun. All three young were literally hopping like little jack rabbits along the length of the ledge, pouncing and playing as they went. Ah, to be young again! These three juveniles are definately getting ready for the big day! Apollo, the juvenile male, started off visiting dad ( the resident male Hurricane ) at the northeast corner of the nest ledge. Then with a burst of energy that only kids are capable of, he did a combo hop, skip, run all the way down to the southeast corner of the nest ledge, slamming on the brakes just at the right moment. I would swear he did it just to get a rise out of me!! There on the corner he met up with his two siblings, Margherita and Katarina, who were diligently preening their feathers and ignoring his interest in play. After a couple of minutes of trying to taunt them into a game, the juvenile male decided they were yucky girls and he would go play by himself ( so there!! ). During the next 10 minutes, the juvenile male Apollo played with every feather he could find. He would grab them first with the left foot, then the right, then the left…! All this play is so important for the young juveniles as they learn how to attack and grab, move their wings in varying winds and tear food for themselves. It’s just our good luck I suppose that they are so much fun to watch during this learning period! At 8:05, Hurricane joined mom on the watchtower ( hydro tower to the east ) and passed off dinner to her that she then delivered to her chicks. This was thoroughly gobbled up by the three young just as bedtime was arriving. With now visible crops, they waddled over to each other and plunked down on the southeast side in bed, looking like one big heap of brown feathers in the dim light. As is routine, Mom did a last, quick flight around the building before settling in on her southeast corner for the night.
Posted on June 17, 2009 8:33 pm
June 15, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Today is the first day in the last few that I have been able to spend some time out here at the site and I was amazed to see just how feathered our young friends are. All three juveniles are sporting beautiful brown flight feathers that they are actively testing out. During the entire time I was present, all three young were flapping with vigor; practicing for that first flight that will occur in the days to come. The young have become much more bold in their exploration of the nest ledge and are now spending much of their time around the corner on the southeast side, the very corner that mother bird was originally herding them away from. Kids, they never listen!! O’Connor, the resident female, has been keeping an eye on them none-the-less from her favourite perch on the hydro structure ( her own private watchtower ) directly east of the nest ledge. While on the ledge, the juveniles are still receiving food from O’Connor as her and the resident male Hurricane continue to provide for them. After the sun had completely set and I was straining to see the three brown babies against the dark background of the building, mom did a fly around of the building at ledge height and seeing that all was clear and safe, settled in for the night on the southeast corner of the building with her chicks.
Posted on June 17, 2009 8:03 pm
June 17, 2009 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
No fledges of flapping, running of the ledge and screaming, no food into the ledge as far as we saw, not even to the little guy.
Adults flying around and to the ledge, getting them all excited.
Adults have been seen sitting on the spire again today, as well as the south-west corner of 33 Victoria. Street. Rain began around 4:00p.m. and became very heavy into the evening. A steady rain rolled into the early evening.
All the birds settled back and very little activity at end of an early close of the watch for the day.
Posted on June 17, 2009 7:33 pm
June 17, 2009 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
Thanks to Carol Phillips our friend in Rochester N.Y. the new falcon here has been ID’d. M/82, black/green is Treasure (female) hatched at the Terminal Tower Cleveland Ohio Apr. 27 2007. We’re not sure if she has taken over the nest box but has been here for a week or so that we know of and could be more. Falcon activity here is abound, however not producing young ones which is very discouraging. We are keeping a close eye to see if Millie is still in the picture. Next year is another year & hopefully we have a dominant pair that can have a successfull brood. All I know is that every falcon we see here is impressive & special.
Doug Garbutt
Posted on June 17, 2009 7:23 pm
