No Fledge Yet at William Osler but the Skies are Clear for Take-off
June 16, 2011 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Although we didn’t have a fledge occur today, it was still an exciting time at the William Osler Hospital nest site. All three of the chicks were on the east side of the building at the nest tray today and spent the better part of their time there. A small feeding was brought in by Hurricane, the resident male, at approximately 1:30pm that he dropped and left for the young to consume on their own. A great deal of flap-hopping ( flopping more like it ) went on by all three until Bruce Massey arrived. The resident female O’Connor spent the majority of the time patrolling the air space within a two to three kilometre radius around the nest building while Hurricane held the fort on the hydro tower. Hurricane is clearly becoming impatient with the young juveniles lack of interest in flight. Bruce watched as Hurricane did a fly through of the nest ledge as the chicks were all sleeping and buzzed them so closely as to put them all on their feet immediately. During one of O’Connor’s forays, I happened to look up to the north and at about a 1 or 2 kilometre distance I could see a perfectly round and large red balloon. It occurred to me that the balloon might be an atmospheric survey balloon and I wondered whether O’Connor had seen it. Seconds later I got my answer as I watched a bird stoop the balloon, it deflated and then fell to the ground out of my sight. While I can’t confirm for certain that it was O’Connor, I have no doubts in my mind whatsoever. After the deflation, she returned to her perch on the hydro tower within 5 minutes and came in from the direction that the balloon went down. I can safely say that this year the resident female here has given me more than my fair share of “I can’t believe it” moments.
At 6:07pm, Hurricane came into the nest ledge with a rather large package of food for the young. Bruce and I were once again astounded at the ferocity with which the chicks approached him and then quickly mugged him for the food. Hurricane just stood aside and looked back at O’Connor who was overseeing the entire event from the hydro tower with a very confused and helpless look. When she offered no assistance, he wrestled the food back from the young and began to beak feed each chick in hyper drive!! I’ve never seen a head move so fast!! Moments later Hurricane accepted the futility of his efforts and abandoned the package with the young. At 6:49pm, O’Connor flew in and took the remains of the package and fed herself while the chicks sat 4 feet away and vocalized. They made no move to rush the female, they just stood and watched. Within 5 minutes, O’Connor took the food over to the young and began to beak feed them in the most polite, calm and organized fashion. It was such a stark contrast to what Hurricane experienced that Bruce and I wondered if we’d been out in the sun too long and were seeing things!!! After being cropped up as full as can be, the three juveniles settled in for a nice, long nap. A big thank you to all of the William Osler Hospital staff and security for their interest and support of this family of falcons!! Hopefully tomorrow will be the big day and the first of our young will take flight.
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