December 27, 2010 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
I visited the CPF Head Office last week and Cheyenne was there for a visit too. Cheyenne is our newest feathered educator. She is about 4months old now. It was a real thrill for me to hold her for the first time.
Volunteer Frank with feathered, educator Peregrine Falcon,Cheyenne.
Cheyenne supervises some work at the CPF Head Office.
Cheyenne Posing
Flapping
Close-Up
Posted on December 27, 2010 4:15 am
December 26, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I stopped by the Lift Bridge to see what we could see. When driving in the driveway we immediately saw an Adult Peregrine chasing a flock of the local pigeons. It was quite a display, but unfortunately not a successful hunt. She returned to the cable arm on the Bay side of the Burlington Tower for a rest. A short time later she took off out over the Skyway, but was unsuccessful once again. While watching, we noticed the adult male tucked into the corner of the buffer housing. I guess he was looking for shelter from the cold wind. The white capped waves were rolling onto the shore from the lake and it was -6 degrees on the car thermometer. We didn’t hang around too long, but were happy to see that both adults appear to be hanging onto the territory. We of course were not able to identify either bird so we are assuming at this point that it is Cirrus and Sir Adam Beck.
Posted on December 26, 2010 4:31 pm
December 18, 2010 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
With a big thank you to Jack Textor from Iowa, for sending us some of his shots of a white Red-tail hawk that he photographed earlier in December on one of his outings. Spotted and photographed in Des Moines, Iowa on December 18, 2010. Initially believed to be a Gyrfalcon, a closer inspection of the photos told a much different story. While not a true albino, (as his the eyes are not pink), this adult male Red-tail is never-the-less mostly all white in colour with the exceptions of a few black and brown feathers that are only visible when the bird is in flight.
What makes this bird more rarer than not, is the fact that he has survived to adulthood and so far continues to prosper. As you might imagine, being all white, living and hunting in the usual Red-tail habitats, being all white is not to your benefit, as both concealment from other larger avian and mammalian predators, and stealthy hunting would not be an easy task.
To survive to adulthood (and on wards), is quite an accomplishment. We will be interested if Jack will continue to follow this guy and send us future updates on his progress over the next months.
Posted on December 26, 2010 2:03 pm
December 25, 2010 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
I developed a short summary of my involvement with the Downtown and Midtown Toronto peregrines from a volunteer’s perspective. Brief information on some of the other sites is included. The purpose for doing this was to accompany Christmas cards. Since it covers several sites, I have placed it here in the Sheraton site postings as this is where my year began.
Harry and the Peregrines – 2010 Summary
The phenomenal success of last year has repeated itself again this year. Of the available nine chicks, eight survived to the end of the watches. We also had an additional site to monitor. I worked the two downtown sites as well as Yonge and Eglinton. Because of the G20 Summit, we were issued photo id cards in case the watches overlapped the G20. Fortunately this was not the case.
The first watch was at the Sheraton Centre. Rhea Mae and Tiago had three chicks – two males, Star and Lorenzo and a female, Legacy. Star apparently likes opera. He flew into the underground parking garage, perched on a pipe and eventually flew out again. A rescue was not needed. I attended the banding at this site. Our MPP, Glen Murray, also attended and made a nice speech. It was good to get his support. Next year, the watch here is going to be more difficult now that Jan has retired and moved to France. It was great to have her high up in her perch in First Canadian Place and in almost constant radio contact. Hurricane, born here in 2004, is the resident male at the William Osler Health Centre in Etobicoke.
The next watch was at 18 King East. Erin and her mate had two chicks – Malik a male and Zera a female. We still have not identified the adult male. Zera was trapped on a glass balcony and had to be rescued. Both chicks did well and kept their height. We have word about previous chicks. Jasmine from 2001 was severely injured and had to be put down. Ely from 2008 is raising a family in central New York State. Majesty from 2002 [one of the Toronto Five] is raising another family in Flint Michigan. She is also the last survivor from this hatch. Her parents were Ponce-Kingsley and Victoria.
Just when we thought the watches were over, Mark got a call from Toronto Animal Services that a baby peregrine had to be rescued from a glass balcony near Yonge and Eglinton. Ranger and Hunter used to be the resident falcons in this area. Clearly these were different adults. The nest is located at 2200 Yonge. An emergency watch had to be set up quickly. Frank, from the Etobicoke site, took charge. Most of the downtown team participated along with Bruce and Lyn, who lives in a nearby condo. All four chicks had to be rescued with one not making it. The survivors are two females – Cyclone and Tara, and a male – Typhoon. We took the opportunity to have the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources folks band the birds when we had them in hand. Also, Lyn kept them in her condo when necessary.
At Mt. Sinai, Wind and her partner had two clutches of four eggs. Nothing hatched. There is some suspicion that the male may Hunter from Yonge and Eglinton which was another failed nest for several years. Up there, they were on the Canadian Tire building.
In Etobicoke at the Sun Life complex, Angel and Jack had three male chicks – Blackberry, Dot-com and Mercedes. Three rescues were necessary, including Blackberry from a balcony. OMNR folks later let us know that a male peregrine chick was found dead in Guelph. It was Blackberry. Mackenzie from 2009 has a mate in Burlington.
In Ottawa, Diana and Conner laid two clutches. Unfortunately nothing hatched. Nihei from 2009 was injured and died in Quebec. Zanar from 2004 has a successful nest on the Ogdensburg bridge with four chicks.
At Yonge and Bloor, the pair from last year remain. They did disappear for a couple of months during the summer but that was probably due to the number of building cranes in the area. No nesting attempts were observed. They tend to hang out at the CIBC building at Yonge and Bloor, the apartment tower in the Manulife Centre and the TD Waterhouse building at 77 Bloor West. There was no evidence that they were around the Four Seasons Hotel this year.
In Rochester, they have a new pair of adults – Archer and Beauty. From what I gather, they successfully raised three chicks this year. The nest box was moved to the top of the Times Square building downtown. The Kodak cameras were moved there as well.
The red-tailed hawks at Queen’s Park are still around and have raised a family again this year. They can now be found on the tallest of three pine trees just east of the east flag pole on the south side of the Legislature.
The turkey vultures in the Bloor and Sherborne area are still around. They are often seen in the Yonge and Bloor area being chased by peregrines. Large flocks of these birds often pass overhead. Welcome to once a week garbage pickup.
Posted on December 25, 2010 2:03 pm
December 24, 2010 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
From The Stonewall Argus & Teulon Times
Endangered life at school
Great horned owl and peregrine falcon make an appearance at Stonewall Centennial as students learn about endangered species
By Amanda Lefley
Two endangered animals entered Stonewall Centennial School on Oct. 28, as the Canadian Peregrine Foundation gave the Grades 5-8 classes an educational speech about birds of prey, specifically the great horned owl and the peregrine falcon. “It’s very important to bring them in because it gives a face to the animal,” said Kyle Holloway, an outreach programs educator with the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. Holloway also explained the aspects he talks about to students, such as habitats, communities, theory of flight, and endangered species, tie into what the students learn in their curriculum.
Before Holloway brought out the two animals – Alexandra, the approximately 10-year-old great horned owl and Oscar, the nine-year-old falcon- he went over some terminology with his audience. He defined what an endangered species was, as well as an extinct and extirpated species. He also had the students list the different actions that cause species to be endangered, such as destroying habitats and pollution, and list the different actions that can now help endangered species, such as protecting the habitat, planting more trees, and creating animal rescues.
Then he brought out Oscar, a fully-grown male falcon. Holloway explained the bird’s lifestyle to the children, his diet, what he eats, about the bird’s hearing and sight. He showed the children the bird’s wingspan as well as the animal’s nictitating membrane.
After Oscar was put away Holloway brought out Alexandra, a fully-grown female great horned owl. The bird was much larger than the falcon in size, which Holloway pointed out. He explained much of the same things to his audience, what the bird liked to eat, about the bird’s sight and hearing. He also went into some detail about the nocturnal tendencies of the bird and showed off the creature’s large wingspan as well.
“They are magnificent animals and they are on the endangered species (list)… I just want kids to appreciate that they are beautiful birds,” said the school’s principal, Ken Hoglund.
When Holloway’s presentation was finished he fielded questions from his audience. However, there wasn’t enough time for him to answer them all, but he did leave the student’s teachers with a workbook from the Canadian Peregrine Foundation to incorporate into their classes.
Hoglund says the school incorporates what the presentation outlined into the classroom in many ways. He said children at the school will go on to write stories about these animals, as well as read other articles about them.
“Hopefully it will open their interest and they’ll think more about all endangered species throughout the world. So giving a global perspective of animals and how we should treat them,” said Hoglund.
The presentation from the Canadian Peregrine Foundation was free of charge to the school as TD Friends of the Environment Foundation sponsored it.
Posted on December 24, 2010 1:36 am
December 17, 2010 - Hamilton - Sheraton Hotel
Frank Butson Reports:
Thanks to Iain Fleming for his great photos of Peter from the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel. See The Dec 7 report for the history of Peter and his parents. It turns out Iain had lived in Hamilton and was very familiar with the Sheraton nest and Madame X.
Reports and photos like Iain’s are very important to the ongoing monitoring of Peregrine Falcons. Please report all of your sightings and be generous with your photos.
Posted on December 17, 2010 1:26 am
December 15, 2010 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
Thanks for the use of your photos Meghan and sending us your exciting sighting!
Meghan Wetmore Reports:
I wanted to send along some photos of a Peregrine Falcon I saw the other day taking a run at a Canada Goose.
I was at the Leslie St. Spit, also know as Tommy Thompson Park on Saturday December 11,2010. At 9:45am we spotted this Falcon sitting on a small outcrop near one of the small “islands” /”mudflats ? In the west side just a bit past the marina, directly opposite the boat storage area that is across the water(I have only been to the Spit once before so I am unfamiliar with the terminology of the area I was in.)
All of a sudden the Peregrine flew up and out over the water. The area was filled with ducks of all sorts. Long Tailed, Bufflehead, Mergansers, but this Falcon went straight after a Canada Goose!! It was quite a sight to see. I don’t think the Canada Goose knew what was going on, but he/she dove straight under the water to avoid the attack. I have never seen a Canada Goose dive down and completely submerge for that amount of time before After a few moments the Canada Goose emerged from under the water, looking quite upset about the whole situation. He was quite vocal and started swimming off towards a larger group of Ducks and Geese, safety in numbers,I assume. The Falcon hovered momentarily over the area and then flew off to the west and was lost to sight.I have included a few photos I took of the incident.
Posted on December 15, 2010 7:35 pm
February 09, 2010 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
With a thank you to Peter Zadorozny from Delta B.C. Canada for sending us some of his shots of a gyrfalcon that he photographed between Dec. 2009 - Feb., 2010
Posted on December 14, 2010 3:54 pm
December 13, 2010 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
Another season of raptor watching has come to an end.It was a record setting fall,with a final total of 6545 raptors observed. This smashed our previous record of 5844. It seemed daily at peak migration time,that record after record fell,one day,one month and species final totals. Walter and I have been asked to submit a Toronto Records Committee report for our September 9th record Osprey count of 53 in one day. This is a GTA record! Thanks to Walter for this impressive list of records set this season at Rosetta. We set 21 and tied one other record this year.
53 Opsrey were seen Sept 9th,176 were seen in the month of September,which led to our season best 211. All new records! Bald Eagles were a similar story,18 were observed on Sept 10th a new site record. September saw a new monthly record of 43 Bald Eagles and a record final tally of 73 Bald Eagles were spotted. We saw a record number of Sharpshinned Hawks in September,finishing with 2067 and a new season high of 2797. 15 Northern Goshawks in the month of October was a new record. November 1st we had a record number of Redtailed Hawks fly by with 251. Roughlegged Hawks have moved in larger numbers then normal in southern Ontario and the sightings at Rosetta McClain Gardens Raptor Watch reflect this as well. We recorded a one day record of 9 on October 31st,a high of 18 in the month of November and a season best total of 28. We set records for all 3 falcon species. On Sept 9th we saw a day record of 203,a new month record of 581 in September were counted and the final total of 719 was also a record. We tied our best one day Merlin total of 10,on Sept 8th,had a record 52 sightings in September and observed 87 in total for another record. We saw the highest number of Peregrine Falcons for any southern Ontario count site,with a new site record of 85. On October 1st we tallied our best one day total of all raptors ever with 946! September saw our highest monthly count ever too,with 3385 total birds of prey counted. Lastly we had our most ever days with over 100 raptors observed,with 20. WHAT A SEASON WOW!!!!
Final Totals
211-Osprey
1195-Turkey Vulture
73-Bald Eagle
322-Northern Harrier
2797-Sharpshinned Hawk
82-Coopers Hawk
17-Northern Goshawk
21-Redshouldered Hawk
190-Broadwinged Hawk
707-Redtailed Hawk
28-Roughlegged Hawk
11-Golden Eagle
719-American Kestrel
87-Merlin
85-Peregrine Falcon
6545-Final Total
Thanks to everyone for an amazing season.
We also counted:
44-Great Blue Heron
20-Common Nighthawk
410-Common Loons
Oddities Seen This Season:
Cave Swallows
Sandhill Cranes
Snow Geese
American White Pelican
White-winged Crossbills
Short-eared Owl
Rusty Blackbirds
Posted on December 13, 2010 3:59 am
December 07, 2010 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
With a big thank you to Ken Hale Sr. for his observation report and the photos that he took on December 7th from Balsam Lake Ontario, that show a good view of some first, second and third year juvenile bald eagles, and the adult bald eagles. He writes: Surprised to see Bald Eagles. There were a total of 9 birds. The photo date was December 7th, 2010 taken in the south Bay of Balsam Lake Ontario. They were a long ways out on the lake and I had to use a 300mm lens without a tripod.
Feel free to use any of the pictures.
Ken Hale Sr.
Posted on December 10, 2010 1:23 pm
