Today both peregrines were frequenting the south facing ledges of the hospital. Late this morning, both peregrine could be heard vocalizing and looking south. A flock of birds were flying westward and looked like another bird of prey was in the chase. Both peregrines took off of Mt.Sinai and headed for the flock. The last I saw was two peregrines in a vertical stoop, in the area of the US Consulate. A few minutes later both birds returned to the hospital, one to the south ledge and hopped into the ledge, while the other headed towards the east.
These images taken this morning and this afternoon. Good time for a morning nap by the sand pipe, and since that was good this morning, it was good enough for this afternoon. Today the oldest is 36 days of age and should be ready for it’s first flight any day.
We have just received wonderful news from Mississauga from Armando and Barb at Holcim that there has in fact been a hatch and there are at least three hatchlings in the nest.
A difficult site to monitor for al due in part now that the resident peregrines are no longer using the nest box, as the new resident peregrines has decided to utilize a roof top high up on another part of the facility. We have new photos from this year taken yesterday - (Thursday June 3rd) with a huge thank you to Armando and his efforts, that show three little hatchlings being attended to my mom. Given that they are all sitting upright in a semi circle, (have able to actually position themselves in this fashion), they are obviously also semi-mobile, and as such we know that they are at least ten days old as of June 3rd.
Our falcon chicks will be banded tomorrow morning at 10:00 am! Finally we will see how many and how they are doing first hand!
I saw one this morning hanging out under the web cam in the corner - the same fluffy one from yesterday I believe. There is some window washing going on two towers over and mom is out supervising the work as I type this
Smooth as silk, flawless are the best descriptions we could use.
The chicks are all very healthy. The three chicks were named Bridgette, Windsor and Lancer. Pud Hunter (MNR) over saw the banding assisted by Amelia (MNR).
The team spirit and support for the survival of these peregrines was contagious.
The Windsor Peregrine Watch team worked behind the scenes for months to make this a reality. Great job team you made this come together!!!! Special thanks to Phil Frame and the Ambassador Bridge crew whom without this would not have been possible.
For many great pictures of the Peregrine couple on the Ambassador Bridge go to our team photographer’s sight Jerry Peltier.
http://www.pbase.com/gerald_f_peltier.
Windsor Star link.
http://www.windsorstar.com/technology/Falcon+chicks+named+tagged/3080703/story.html
I am happy to report that today’s banding went well.According to Ministry of Natural Resources Biologist Anne Yagi, we have two very healthy chicks.Their statistics are as follows:
A male who has been named Brant after Joseph Brant, weighing in at 674 grams, banded with 49/Y and he will be wearing a Yellow and Blue leg band.
A female who has been named Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, weighing in at a whopping 969 grams, banded with 39/X and she will be wearing a Red and White leg band.
Now the fun begins.Given their size and estimated age, the official Fledge Watch will begin in approximately 8 to 10 days (June 10th).
Another glimpse of what it’s like to work for MNR when a banding requires you to extract peregrine falcon chicks from a 3 foot (probably 2) wide ledge on the 43rd floor of the Toronto Sheraton Centre. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Someone remembered his ‘other’ family today. Jack is here this morning - not just zipping in and out - but standing guard one ledge below mom next to the nest ledge. Nice to see his presence here for a prolongued period again. Perhaps Milton is making himself scarce at the other site so he feels comfortable enough to spend more time here again!
Either way, it’s nice to see him giving mom a well deserved break.
Years of observation of urban peregrines and every year we learn new and interesting things about the city Peregrine falcons. Earlier last month behaviour indicated that incubation of eggs had begun, although we were at a disadvantage of not having a clear view of the nest itself.
Thanks to an early morning,a power scope, a clear sunny day,a lot of patience, and just the right amount of coffee to steady the hands, four eggs were clearly seen as the adult moved off the nest area. Nesting behaviour continued, but the expected hatch date has past by two weeks. I was seeing the male continuously incubate the eggs, while the female was seen lying down in an adjacent ledge. That ledge was scoped but no eggs were there.
Latest observation have the pair on site and frequenting the east ledges, but it appears the eggs that I have been watching have been abandoned. The peregrines are still showing nesting behaviour in and around these east ledges.
I suspect that a second clutch of eggs have been laid and the peregrines have restarted the incubation clock. Monitoring will continue to find where, if any eggs were laid in a new nest bowl.
As I watch and observe, I am approached by a lot of long time bird of prey fans who enquire as to their status in the neighbourhood. Especially the folks from Queen’s Park.
They tell me stories how they see these wonderful birds sit on adjoining buildings and watch them hunt. Lots of interest in their success in nesting in this area.
Any obsevations would be greatly appreciated. Take note, we also have a pair of Redtail Hawks that fly through the area of College and Universtiy. I usually see them around the noon hour, floating over Queen’s Park as well.
A few times I have seen the peregrines take off to move the Redtails out of the area, but the encounter has been out of my line of sight.
10:15 am and Rhea Mae is serving up left overs to the trio. I guess that’s why they’re not that interested to rush in a get a share. The oldest is 32 days of age today. Male peregrines can begin taking flight at 36 days of age to 40 days of age. Females begin flying at 40 days of age to 42 days of age at the earliest.
