!!! Alpin comes to ground, Spec still at Home
June 26, 2009 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
This morning, as predicted, Alpin the juvenile who was originally discovered sitting on a window sill on Wellington St. did eventually come to ground. Bruce was on hand to assist the young bird. It was gently placed into a pet carrier and transported to a cool quiet place, away from curious on lookers, noise and disruption. This gives the bird time for stress levels to drop and return to normal. Before it’s release back to the nest building, Mark Nash did an examination and found the bird to be in “peregrine” spirits with no signs of apparent injury or distress.
It was released in a safe area on the upper elevations of the nest building, where protection from the elements is available. It also allows to adults to see the bird at first light.
Speck is still un-fledged had a full spoon feeding around 7p.m. It seems that as soon as the church bells chime for the arrival of the 7th hour, food comes to the nest ledge. Just like clockwork, every evening give or take a few minutes. Speck remains on the nest. He did show a lot of enthusiasm and had us convinced that he might have flown this evening, but nope. He’s still there.
We also noticed that one of the juveniles is missing at least one or two tail feathers. We think that this bird might be Mollie. She is flying well at this time. The other two are doing well. Some wonderful flying skills are being displayed. One flew over # 1 Toronto St towards Church. As it approached halfway, it stopped in the air and flapped one wing and was turning on the spot. Very funny and very interesting technique to turn. But it worked and the juvenile continued back to the nest building area. They are also picking up speed and following the adults. To fast for us to track on foot. We just wait until the circle back to us.
All are doing well from the view point of the sidewalks. Hope this continues.
Any reports of peregrines in need of assistance, please contact the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, who are on site to assist.