Jack our resident male falcon has been here several times this week. He is currently outside doing some impressive flying and chupping alot to Angel. Wish I could speak Peregrine and understand what he is saying … has courtship begun or is he just complaining about the weather?!
Lunch time today and suddenly pigeons were flying in all directions, including right into each other and as I looked up there was Jack scaring them up. Angel was awaiting him at the nest box so that is both adults accounted for. I guess this is his weekly check-in, at least he’s smart enough to bring take out!
With reports of a possible skirmish between two raptors in the vicinity last evening, I decided to take a trip out to the site today to check on Angel. I found her dozing peacefuly on her usual perch. She has been visible at the site on a daily basis the past few weeks, in spite of the cold temperatures.
Her errant mate did pay a visit on Monday and there was some vocalization between them however no signs of any courtship rituals at all compared to last year at this time. He seems to be spending the bulk of his time at his other site the past few weeks and with news that the former resident male there will be extending his stay in rehab past mating season - I expect he will definitely be nesting there this year.
The question is will he attempt to nest here as well or can we expect a new mate for Angel. It is still early days and I expect in the next few weeks we should know the answer to that question as Angel is usually the first to lay her eggs in the city.
Stay tuned…
Did you know that most (if not all) raptors are protected by law? In Ontario, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act protects hunting, trapping, or disturbing nests of most raptors including Peregrine Falcons. Most Canadian provinces and US states have a similar law. Breaking this law in Ontario can result in a fine up to $25,000 or a year in prison. A similar law, the Canadian National Parks Act, covers National Parks and can issue fines of up to $150,000 for disturbing birds including Peregrine Falcons, Gyrfalcons, Piping Plovers or Whooping Cranes.
If you stick to common sense, you will never be the subject of a Ministry of Natural Resources news story, as Shawn Bowes was earlier this year -
A Thunder Bay man has been fined $2,500 and prohibited from hunting for three years for shooting and killing a bald eagle. Shawn A. Bowes pleaded guilty to charges under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The eagle carcass was forfeited to the Crown. Bowes’ firearm was seized by conservation officers and will be returned once his fine is paid.
Court heard that on June 1, 2009, conservation officers investigated a report of gunfire at Bowes’ property and discovered a decaying bald eagle carcass in his yard. Bowes admitted to shooting the eagle in the summer of 2008. The bald eagle is a specially protected raptor under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, and is protected from being hunted or trapped throughout Ontario. Bald eagles are also considered a species of special concern under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. Justice of the Peace Ray Zuliani heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on August 5, 2009.
To report a natural resources violation, you can call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667) toll-free anytime or contact your local MNR office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
News story courtesty of MNR on August 27, 2009.
Firstly, I apologize for the delay in this posting. I did try a couple of weeks ago but my report went in to the ether! Since mid-December I have frequently seen two adults on either the south Mount Sinai ledges or the east ledges. Frequently, I had at the same time one adult on the Sheraton ledge - not enough definitive proof to say we have two full sites between the Sheraton and Mount Sinai. Then, the big break - on January 12, two adults were on the south Mount Sinai ledges and two adults were on the Sheraton nest ledge. Since then, I have had this view several times. More recently, On January 29, all four were in view - two on the south Mount Sinai ledges and two on the Sheraton ledge. Today, February 11 at 10:15, all four adults are in view again - two on the south Mount Sinai louvers and two on the Sheraton ledge.
It certainly is shaping up to be an exciting Spring. I will endeavour to keep my posts more current.