July 01, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
June 30th - 2011
This afternoon Mark Nash received a call from property management south west of the Sheraton Nest site, stating they had large strange bird sitting on the sidewalk outside their building. I was dispatched to investigate. When I arrived, staff had pillioned and taped off the area surrounding the bird. One quick glance and sure enough, it’s a juvenile peregrine falcon. I couldn’t see who it was, this large bird was lying down having enough of the two legged creatures with no feathers staring at her.
The staff were very helpful and provided me with a cloth sheet to pick up the rather healthy female peregrine and secure her in a box until Mark and Marion arrived. Minutes later, Mark and Marion arrived with nets and carrier. No net needed, but she was feisty as Mark picked her up. On examination is was discovered it was Kate from the Sheraton Nest Site, indicated by her blue band and Canadian Wildlife Bands. A small crowd had already gathered from the start were very inquisitive and Mark was more than happy to show Kate to her admirers and explain the history of the peregrines in Ontario and more importantly, the peregrines in the downtown core.
We then took Kate back to the Sheraton, Mark and Marion examined her thoroughly and she had no injuries and she appeared to be well fed. We gave her water and she was good to go back to the nest ledge. Where at 6:50p.m. she is still there, looking out.
Many, many thanks to the staff and office tenants of 180 Wellington St and local tenants of the adjoining buildings. Deep appreciation to the gentlemen and ladies from Avison and Young Property Management Group for going beyond the call and the many phone calls they made to different agencies to ensure this bird was placed in the proper hands. And also, Sandra Celli, of Avison and Young Property Management Group, who has supported the peregrines nest at 18 King S for many years.
Thanks Mark and Marion for fighting gridlock on a holiday weekend in downtown Toronto to come to Kate’s rescue.
Posted on June 30, 2011 7:18 pm
June 30, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Today I recieved a call from Mark Nash, who had himself received a call from building security informing him that one of the juveniles was down on the low rooftops, was panting and not in very good shape.
By the time I got to her she was already gone. I knew when I saw the yellow tape on her band that it was our sweet Jupiter, our super star flyer and upstart that knocked mom of her perch with such bold confidence.
She was found directly under the glass on the roof towards the back of the roof. Her condition, her position and her rapid decline are consistent with the explanation Mark had given us of how devestating an impact is for them. I will leave the expert opinion to Mark to confirm what we found.
What is especially tragic about Jupiter’s loss is that she did everything right, she flew well, she stayed high. She came down low once but it wasn’t a crash landing, she was just in a place that was accessible by humans and other predators so we couldn’t risk leaving her there until she made her own way back up like her brothers did. Unfortunately no one told her about how deceptive those strange glass panels that reflect the blue sky and the clouds are.
I would like to say thank you to Sunlife Buiding Security team, they were wonderful to me today and are always looking out for our family. And a special thank you to the United Church member that kindly called to inform them that one of the kids was down on the roof and in trouble. Your thoughfulness is appreciated.
To my beautiful Jupiter - I consider myself honored to have known you and to have felt the downy softness of your feathers.
Posted on June 30, 2011 4:58 pm
June 30, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I got to the Lift Bridge last evening (6/29/11) around 5:30. We searched in all the usual spots, but with no luck. Finally around 6:15 Bill spotted one juvenile tucked under the Skyway Bridge on one of the beams. She had her back to us so we were unable to see who it was. We never did find the other Juvenile. There was no movement whatsoever, so we decided to head for home around 6:45. I guess we should have waited a little longer because:
Paul Reynolds reports the following after his arrival between 6:45 and 7:00:
Hi Sue, I’ve been to the pier a number of times, watching the kids play. Tonight (6/29/11) I saw Lady Nelson hunting in the trees across the canal on the Burlington side. Lady Lamont came from behind carrying a pigeon about ten feet off the water. She landed over in the boat launch area in the middle of the grass. I left to go fishing then on the way back to the car I noticed Lady Lamont was up the Hamilton Hydro tower finishing off her meal. As I drove out the two of them were flying together around the same Hydro tower.
Back to Monday (6/27/11) evening, both birds were sitting on the top rail of the bridge, and it was pretty clear they were chasing the pigeons as they went down to drink.
Attached are a few photos from June 26 and June 27.
Posted on June 30, 2011 4:13 pm
June 30, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
I did a head check this morning around 7:30am. Cinnamon was on the
south east corner of the DBRS building and one of the girls was on
the north east corner of the National Bank building. Tiago was
asleep on the south Sheraton logo and Rhea May was sleeping on the
south west corner of the lower Sheraton building, next to the
running track. I couldn’t see the other girl from ground level.
From 23, Rhea Mae had left, Cinnamon was also gone but the girl on
the National Bank building was still there for a brief moment. Back
on ground level, everyone was gone from view except Tiago. I left
by checking out the area around University Ave. and Wellington [as
well as Metro Hall]. I didn’t see or hear any peregrine activity.
Posted on June 30, 2011 9:48 am
June 30, 2011 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
We stopped by the Bridge again this morning and Ted had been there since 5:45 A.M. He reports that he has seen a big difference in the two chicks since he started to watch this week. While we were there, one of them did a great flight display. If you have nothing to do those Peregrines are a wonderful sight. All you need is patience and a pair of binoculars. They could be hanging around anywhere near the bridge and doing wonderful flight displays.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators CPF
Posted on June 30, 2011 8:34 am
June 29, 2011 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
After leaving the Sheraton watch, I did a spot check on the King St nest site. Both adults were sitting on Dundee Place, I did not see either juvenile. Crossing Church St at King St, I head the distinct sound of juveniles screaming. Kenya was chasing Sakura directly above me in the parking lot at King and Church. A good chase with locking talons. Kenya kept pushing Sakura. ‘They circled and played and then eventually broke off and flew back to the roof of 18 King. All that noise drew attention to them, the pedestrians thought they were gulls, but I knew better and enjoyed watching them.
Posted on June 29, 2011 9:46 pm
June 29, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Annie was on site when I arrived, she had seen two juvies, but all was quiet for a long time. I went up to 43 and did not see any birds in view at all. Annie and I watched the film crew do their thing. At 7p.m. back up to the 43 where Annie and I saw Cinnamon playing in puddle of water on the very top of 120 Adelaide. Cinnamon also took this time to have a drink as well. Adult on the north east corner of 130 Adelaide keeping watch. Back down to street level. If we had not seen any other peregrine activity, we were going to call it a night early since the watch started on June 8th. At 8p.m., I went up to 43rd for a last head count and Annie ( Thanks Annie) headed home.
Of course, Cinnamon had huddled next to the stove pipe on the top of 120, but was getting active. He scooted across the roof top and flew off attempting to land on the upper 130. Missed the landing and recovered nicely flying around 130 and back to the top of 130. At this time a second juvie flew in front of the club lounge windows and it appeared to head to the nest. Cinnamon took off from 130 and flew to the top of the Sheraton above the “R”. Back to ground level, Cinnamon took off again and over to the top of 130.
He is maintaining his height, and recovering well from aborted landings. The adults are attending and providing food. Sunshine and Kate were scarce this evening and have been off for most of the afternoon and evening.
At this time, and with the agreement of Mark Nash that we are good to cut back on the watch and do spot checks only.
Thanks, Harry, Zoe, Annie, Janine, Vanessa, Marion, Sharon, for the long hours for this unusual extended watch.
Posted on June 29, 2011 9:40 pm
June 29, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
At 7:30am, Cinnamon was on the old portion of the Bell building and
Kate was on the penthouse of 120 Adelaide. As I was moving through
the courtyard, Sunshine came screaming in from the south west and
disappeared from view. From 23 at 9am, Cinnamon was feeding on the
south west corner of the roof area of the National Bank at York and
Adelaide. Just to his west was Rhea Mae, keeping a sister [to her
west] from grabbing the food. The feeding took about 20 minutes and
then Cinnamon took off. Rhea Mae went over and started to feed on
the left-overs. I went down to street level and by the time I got
there, the sister was feeding on the scraps.
Linda arrived and we went up to 23 only to find no birds in view.
We then went to King St. to see the south views of the nearby
buildings - still nothing in view. I think the birds are moving
around more and could also be trying to get out of the wind [Zoe] as
it was quite strong.
Posted on June 29, 2011 1:44 pm
June 29, 2011 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Last evening we stopped by the Bridge again to check out our family of four, they were busy eating and flying around.
This morning, Thank You to Ted who had been there since 6 A.M. who informed us that he saw a difference this morning in that they were flying around together for about 45 minutes. Freddie and Voltaire were hanging around making sure that Spitfire and Lady Gaga were doing good. No feeding had been done yet.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators for CPF
Posted on June 29, 2011 7:55 am
June 28, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Lots of shuffling around by Kate and Cinnamon, but the end of day, we weren’t sure who we were watching closely. I couldn’t get a band colour to Identify. One bird was on the Phoenix building and was being watched closely by Annie when I arrived. Janine joined us shortly afterwards. This bird flew over to the lower 130 south side and ran the east side of this area before taking off again. It was on Lombard Place for a short time before taking flight again and back to lower 130. Off again and it ended up on the low roof of south east corner of Richmond and York just north of the Keg. Annie and Janine stayed on the ground, while I headed for the 43rd. This bird took off again and headed south along York St and we lost sight of it. We finally found it on the east side of the DBRS building. At this time I took the opportunity to scan for the other two. At dark we had a juvenile on the north east lower 120 Adelaide, lying down, as it was earlier. Sunshine on the north east corner of 130 Adelaide and one on the DBRS building. Apparently, filming will resume tomorrow in and around this direct area. Not sure if they are filming again on the roof areas, like they were over the weekend. The film shoot notice that went around the neighbourhood did not indicate that.
We only saw one food drop, as we spent a lot of time on the south side of 120 and 130. Not sure who got a share of this meal
Posted on June 28, 2011 9:59 pm
