!!! Some recent past history of Kenya
June 22, 2011 - Toronto - King Street
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Yesterday we had an unusual experience. We’ve seen quite a number of falcons from our windows since moving here in 1983. On Tuesday, June 21, 2011, about 6:45 a.m. I saw a falcon on the roof of the office building (26 Wellington St. East) adjoining ours. It became apparent that this is a new bird this spring – he still has soft white feathers of the newborn – and that he is learning to fly. Every once in a while he peers down to the ground, then flaps huge wings as he hops along the edge, back and forth. Occasionally he stops this routine and just rests a while. You know, it is quite a drop to the ground if he can’t stay afloat in the air.
We went out about 11 a.m. to the blood lab for my blood test and then had lunch in the cafe in our building. We returned to our apartment about 1:10 p.m. to find the bird still on the roof, with the same old routine. He looked to be scared to death.
We phoned Polly to get information about falcon watches. She called the Peregrine Foundation. The bird has a red band on his right leg (every once in a while he’d seem to try to tug it off). He remained on the roof until about 8:30 p.m. when he took off with a great flap of wings. He circled around in great swoops and landed on the roof of the St. Lawrence Theatre. He stays there for about half an hour and then disappears in the twilight. At one point in the evening one of his parents circles high above and then swoops down almost hitting his head – then disappears. A member of the Foundation says the parent is attempting to give the youngster guidance on how to return to the nest, a few blocks away. The bird had no food or water for about 14 hours, but finally he finds the courage to fly. We felt like cheering!
This morning we learn from the Foundation that he has been rescued (netted, actually) in the alley behind the Spaghetti Factory restaurant and was returned to his nest about 10:30 last night. Perhaps in the coming months and years he’ll come around to see us again. His red band will be a clue that he’s the chap who gave us many anxious moments one day. Incidentally, he has a name. It’s Kenya.
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