Canadian Peregrine Foundation

!!! Female still on site

March 26, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

CPF Volunteer Reports:

This report comes from a local resident. An adult female peregrine has been seen on the south side louvered ledges of Mt.Sinai hospital on several occasions, including this morning. Last week it was reported that an adult peregrine was sitting on  one of the east facing ledges of the hospital.

No report at this time of a second peregrine in the same area.

!!! No Sign of Eggs Yet!

March 26, 2010 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre

Kathy Reports:

While early last week it looked like our resident pair were about to take the next step in their courtship..things abruptly came to a halt suddenly mid week.  Suddenly here was barely any sign of either falcon and if they were sighted, it was only the female usually on her own waiting for her mate.  It was eerily quiet and having had reports in the area of another male and multiple falcon sightings we were a bit concerned.

On Wednesday of this week Frank and I ascended to a nearby building in order to try and get a look in the nest box as given the prior behaviour we thought surely there might be one egg.   It was a beautiful day and although we couldnt’ see directly into the nestbox due to the high edges - it was obvious there weren’t any eggs as no one arrived for at least an hour.  We would have expected someone to be in the vicinity in case of an intruder but we were met with silence.  After awhile Jack did show up and he did call for his mate and then proceeded to stare at us staring at him and then decided we weren’t that interesting so off he went.  From photos and coordinating with the TR site we were able to determine it was indeed Jack we were staring at that day so that was a relief.

The female showed up once we had descended to the ground so at least we knew both were still in the area.  It’s quite possible that the recent northward migration brought new falcons into the area and perhaps they were occupied with giving them directions elsewhere for a few days.

The past two days both male and female have been onsite and today courtship seems to have resumed as if the past several days never happened.  I witnessed some mating, flying together, the male brought food in for the female and both were in the nestbox several times chupping up a storm.  And Jack even found time to visit his ‘other’ wife.  

It is impossible to determine when or if we will see eggs given he is the male at both sites, sometimes tiercels can do this successfully and other times not so we will continue to monitor both locations and hope for the best.

!!! Niagara Fall Pefa’s did in fact winter over here. No migration!

January 19, 2010 - Niagara Falls

CPF Postmaster Reports:

With a big thank you to Verinica from Lowbanks Ontario, we have received her observation and photo of the Niagara Peregrines on territory. Photos taken Jan. 2010

I was staying at the Fallsview Casino last Tuesday, January 19th when I woke up in the morning and opened the curtains this is what I saw out the window. Sitting on the ledge of the Hotel on the 28th Floor was this Peregrine Falcon. I understand that your organization is interested in hearing about/receiving pictures of the sightings. I have forwarded them to you.

Veronica - Lowbanks, ON

!!! First Egg confirmed!

March 26, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Mark Nash Reports:

We have received great news today confirming that there is one egg in the nest box and both adults are attending. The adult female spent much of her time today sitting tight on the single egg, likely due to the high winds and colder wind chill temps. Observations also reported that the adults were also involved in further courtship activities and copulation on the nest box ledge.
Stay tuned…hopefully more to come.

!!! King St must be on eggs

March 25, 2010 - Toronto - King Street

Linda Woods Reports:

King St nest must have eggs by now, although we cannot see them at this point in time. One adult has been observed in and around the nest area, but the second adult is not seen. Today I saw one adult on the King Edward Hotel vocalizing ( echupping) It appeared it had prey in it’s talons. I guess calling for the female.

I have seen on the web cam, an adult come into camera view and disappear. Good indication that there are eggs. We just have to wait till they start turning the eggs into the view of the camera to find out how many.

!!! Egg # 2 Thursday

March 25, 2010 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

Linda Woods Reports:

Egg # 2 arrived sometime Thursday and  Jan captured the image from the web cam and quickly sent it off to the awaiting fans.  Saturday, should be egg # 3

Thanks Jan!

!!! Spring Has Arrived!!

March 19, 2010 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Spring is a busy time for all of us at the Canadian Peregrine Foundation as the birds are returning from the south and look to set up shop.  I stopped by the William Osler site today just after 5:00pm and was greeted with the sounds of peregrines in love.  The female flew to the northeast corner of the building and sat calling while the male displayed his flight prowess for her.  Within seconds of his display ending, he landed beside her and copulated with her.  It is unclear whether this pair is the same male and female from last year as the light was poor and bands were not apparent.  One thing is sure though, we have a pair looking to raise a family here. 

After leaving the corner of the building, the female flew out front the east side of the hospital and dipped straight into the nest tray where she talked up a storm.  The male was not far behind.  Initially he landed on the “H” on the east side, all the while responding to her calls with e-chups of his own, until he could no longer contain himself and left his perch to join her at the edge of the tray.  We look forward to seeing more of this pair and patiently await the arrival of eggs!!

Two adults on site, lots of courtship happening, no eggs as yet!

March 24, 2010 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Mark Nash Reports:

I had an opportunity to spend a few hours at the William Osler nest site today and watched the two adults very active on the nest ledge, on and off the nest tray itself and lots of interaction with each other. Although I did not see any mating, both adults very vocal and spent allot of time in behind the Hospital sign on the nest tray. With a huge thank you to security, I was able to peak through out peep-hole in behind the nest tray and was able to get a good look at the nest tray itself. No eggs as yet.
Stay tuned,,,,

Archer Returns to Rochester, NY

March 21, 2010 - New York - Rochester

Carol Phillips Reports:

After an unsuccessful nesting year in 2009, I’m happy to report that  Archer has returned from his migration.  Beauty, the new resident female remained in Rochester through the Winter.

Watchers witnessed the return of Archer on Sunday morning.  Since then, they have been seen inside the new nest box on the Times Square Bldg, bowing and renewing their bonds.

We are hopeful that there will be young fledglings in Rochester in 2010.

Incubation Has Begun

March 24, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

We spent a little time at the Lift Bridge today.  One adult was enjoying a meal on the face of the Hamilton Tower and the other was nowhere to be seen.  We went down the road by the washrooms and with the scope were able to see that one adult was in the nest box.  After a while “she” got up and moved around and appeared to be re-arranging the eggs.  “She” stood with her back to the outside and was mantling what I assume are eggs.  We were hoping to see a shift change, but “she” settled down again and all you could see were the tips of her wing feathers above the edge of the box.

 ”She” assuming it was the female.  We were not able to identify either bird.