March 13, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Good evening CPF
I just spotted 2 Pefas’ on the Sheraton nest ledge this evening, although it’s quite dark and impossible to be sure it’s Rhea Mae & Tiago, I did manage to capture a few shots from the nesst cam. The season is upon us!
Photos captured Sunday evening at approx. 6:30pm.
Regards-Eileen
Posted on March 14, 2011 9:29 am
March 12, 2011 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
At 6:30 A.M. quite a bit of activity going on the nest ledge. Lots of vocalizaion.
6:40 A.M. Freddie flew upon to the Church Steeple and Voltaire flew onto the pipe.
It’s always a pleasure to see the both of them. Easy to see and easy to hear the both of them.
Posted on March 12, 2011 4:44 pm
March 10, 2011 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
From THE TORONTO STAR
Curtis Rush Staff Reporter
For years, a volunteer group has been trying to get the message out about the migratory birds who die by slamming into the reflective glass of Toronto office buildings each year.
On Wednesday, they took this message to the Royal Ontario Museum, where they laid out close to 2,000 dead migratory birds on a canvas for the public to see.
And next month, they hope the message is further driven home in a Scarborough courtroom.
On April 7, the managers of The Consilium Place office towers in Scarborough will have to answer to charges under the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
“This could be a precedent-setting case and a conviction could send a message to other businesses,” said Albert Koehl, a lawyer for Ecojustice, which has brought the private charges.
The trial is expected to last six days and fines could be substantial, Koehl said. In addition, a provision could be made to order changes to the glass structure thought to be a prime killer of migratory birds.
The towers, near Highway 401 and McCowan Rd., are covered in mirrored glass and are as high as 17 storeys.
In 2008-2009, more than 800 birds were recovered from the lawns around the complex.
Michael Mesure, 47, executive director of the Fatal Light Awareness Program, said he’s frustrated that existing buildings in Toronto are not being mandated to make design changes to protect birds.
Under the city’s bird-friendly guidelines, new buildings must meet certain performance standards that involve muting reflections and treating glass with density patterns.
The executive director of FLAP said simple adjustments such as visual markings on glass windows can help give birds an alternative point of focus.
At the ROM on Wednesday, spectators watched as volunteers laid down the carcasses of migratory birds — everything from birds of prey to small song birds.
“It breaks my heart,” said Kathy Nosich, who works in the biodiversity program for Ontario Power Generation.
She said the display of birds who met their fate by colliding with glass structures brings home the message.
“Nothing tells this story better,” she said.
Mesure, who began FLAP in 1993, says many people remain “in denial” about the problem of dead birds because they don’t see carcasses lying on the streets and don’t realize the ecological benefits of making sure they survive.
“They eat thousands of insects,” he said.
Staff volunteers like Brian Armstrong, who sold his legal practice several years ago, begin patrols throughout the financial district at 4 a.m., collecting injured and dead birds.
The injured birds are taken to the Toronto Wildlife Centre if the gulls haven’t swooped down and taken them away first.
The migratory bird season begins in a few weeks and runs to June.
Posted on March 10, 2011 1:58 pm
March 10, 2011 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
The Canadian Peregrine Foundation invites everyone to come to the Toronto Sportsmans Show and visit our booth. Meet our feathered educators and volunteers. March 16th-20th. Learn about our raptors,programs,conservation efforts and ask questions. Each year CPF is asked to participate in the Toronto Sportsmans Show and our booth is a show stopper. The show-goers love to stop by to see our live birds of prey exhibit.
Meet Kyla The American Kestrel 
Alexandra The Great Horned Owl
Solo The Bald Eagle
Oscar The Peregrine Falcon
And the rest of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation feathered education team at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Admission prices,directions,hours and other information about the show can be found here http://www.torontosportshow.ca/visitors/ Thats March 16-20th,2011. We hope to see you there.
Posted on March 10, 2011 7:02 am
February 24, 2011 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Frank Butson Reports:
Lyn Reports:
Update Yonge and Eglinton Peregrines 20110224
Returning from shopping on Yonge street, I glanced skyward looking for our pair of Peregrine falcons.
I was in luck. Two of them flew up to the nest building and one landed on that same railing, as before, on the NE corner of the building. No binoculars again. I hastened to the corner assured myself that it was really a peregrine and dashed home for the binoculars.
On returning to the YE corner I found the peregrine still perched in the same spot. I had a bit of bother getting colour but did finally see the buffy chest (and full crop) and so determined this to be the female. I watched her for a while and also looked around for the male. I did not see him for a few minutes.
As I was walking along Eglinton towards Duplex Av I saw him come from somewhere around the black building over the TTC bus garage. He flew straight onto the nest ledge! I continued walking and stopping to watch for his exit and was rewarded after roughly three minutes. He flew off the nest ledge, straight over Eglinton and my head and landed on the Rio-Can building. I had to move then.
I walked all the way over to the Ambulance ramp near the bus garage and stood there. After roughly fifteen minutes the female flew over to the Rio-Can building and landed one floor above him.
For a long time neither of them did anything. Then the female preened a bit and then just sat. The male just sat the whole time I was out there. He also had a full crop. I also saw the remains of a recent meal where I was standing. A small white feather, spinal column with two ribs attached! Nothing else. I think it may have been blown off the roof of the black building.
The female took flight and flew towards me then curved behind (south side of) the nest building, up Yonge street, across Eglinton ave and landed back on the Rio-Can building about five floors up from the male, who just sat!!!!
After an hour and twenty minutes of observation I left.
Half an hour later I had to go to the bank and when I checked on the peregrines they were in their same spots. The male was just sitting and the female was busy preening.
Posted on March 4, 2011 6:09 am
March 01, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
A quick update with a report of our activities yesterday- (March 2nd), when the CPF head office received a call from the Solar Window washing team of a downed peregrine on the roof of 144 Front St. west here in Toronto, that had been injured after colliding with a building across the street. Mark was dispatched to meet with the building management and one of he staff from Solar who quickly got him to the roof inspect the injured raptor. Upon his arrival, the raptor was quickly identified as an adult male Sharpe-shinned hawk that was actually hiding on the flat top roof of the building under some large cables in the south east corner below the roof retaining wall. Further investigation of the happening, it appears that the male Sharpie may have been pursued by one of the territorial adult peregrines (likely from the Toronto Sheraton Centre nest) and driven into the building face in an effort to escape from the peregrine(s).
The Sharpie was then able to make it to the roof top across the street at 144 Front Street, and was laterally grounded (and hiding) from the adult female peregrine who was perched on another roof top two buildings over,, (obviously on guard). An effort was made to capture up the Sharpie to examine the poor bird for any injuries, but we are happy to report that as we approached the Sharpie, it quickly ran across the roof top to the north side and quickly took flight up and over the roof retaining wall. The Sharpie then dove down to almost the street level where it quickly flew north west with a very strong flight until it was out of our roof top view. The Sharpie flew in the opposite direction and behind another building obviously in an effort to conceal its escape from both us and the adult peregrine that was still steadfast on the watch on another roof top.
Fortunately the peregrine missed the Sharpie’s escape and there were no further incidents to report. Sadly we were unable to identify the identity of the adult female peregrine as we did not have binoculars at hand.
Posted on March 2, 2011 2:55 pm
March 01, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
What a beautiful sunny day! Cool by the Lake but definitely sunny. Today Bill and I stopped by the Lift Bridge at about 11 o’clock. Because of all the construction, we parked on the lake side and walked the Waterfront Trail back to the Lift Bridge. While we were walking we noticed Cirrus fly to the Hydro Tower and she landed right above us. Before we knew it, Sir Adam Beck approached and we saw them copulate. They then took off toward the Burlington Tower chirping loudly. We stood around and watched and then before our eyes a Juvenile Bald Eagle flew over our head. Quickly, Mom was in the air screaming. We watched her dive at the Eagle until it was chased right out of sight. We never did see her return.
Posted on March 1, 2011 2:10 pm
March 01, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
In spite of the snow, rain, winds and whatever else Mother Nature continues to throw at us on any given day - both falcons have been on site and courtship is in full bloom! This morning both are here and Angel is eating a breakfast brought in by Jack for her.
Most days I see only her and he usually shows up in mid afternoon or I don’t see anyone at all. I haven’t witnessed any mating yet however I suspect it’s going on as I’ve seen Angel in position for mating with Jack standing nearby waiting for his cue. Unfortunately work or the inclement weather has prevented me from observing them long enough to confirm what I think is happening.
Past years has Angel laying eggs during the third or last week of March so I expect activity will increase in the coming days. I also expect in the next few weeks we will see migrating birds coming through as well so we’ll see if Jack can continue to hold on to both territories. There have been a number of sightings of young tiercels outside the area over the past several months and I expect one or more of them will make a play for their own territory this month!
Posted on March 1, 2011 8:53 am
