!!! Baby Courtney back on the ledge, but not so eager to repeat yesterdays actions!
July 20, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Mark Nash Reports:
Wednesday July 20th - 2011
Today’s watch for the most parts was very uneventful with little Courtney spending much of her time on the same ledge that she was released back to the night before. We believe that she didn’t actually “fledge” from the nest ledge given that she is still a little too young and still really not able to fly as yet.
Her activity - (or lack there of) might confirm this, as she did very little flapping today and spent most of her day trying to hide out from the onlookers behind the windows that came to get a view of her from inside the building.
The heat and humidity would be best described as brutal today with absolutely no relief from the blazing sun. Both of the adults were very inactive today as well, as it was obvious that they too are having some challenges with the high humidity. Mom did feed Courtney today later in the day around 5pm.
It wasn’t until the usual “falcon follies” time - (after 8pm) when all of the activity usually starts,, around 8:30 pm, Truss - (the resident adult female) went after a low flying pigeon driving it to the ground, and proceeded to catch it literally “on the ground” at the south end of the courthouse grounds close to the south wall. Truss struggled to get altitude while carrying the huge pigeon (still very much alive) while in her clutches. She flew only several feet above the ground around the east side of the courthouse directly in front of our position to the north over the Swiss Chalet and had to circle around back around the courthouse building in an effort to gain altitude.
It happened so fast, and so spectacular, (and so close), none of us grabbed our cameras as we were jockeying for position just to see the event! Finally, Winston was able to think quickly as Truss landed on the east courthouse ledge and was able to snap a quick photo despite the poor lighting conditions.
At one point, it looked like Truss was not going to make it with he heavy package, but refused to let it go!! At another point, we thought that she was going to be hit by cars as she was so low over the busy roadway to the north of the courthouse. She finally hooked around the courthouse building again, finally gaining some altitude and was able to make it to one of the lower courthouse ledges on the east elevation.
As she landed, the pigeon was flapping frantically while still her clutches, and Truss held it firm while she herself panted and gasped for air after this long flight to reach the ledge. Despite the fact that peregrines have an incredible ability to process air in their lungs, this high humidity causes everyone challenges,, including the peregrines!
After several minutes of trying to catch her breath, Truss finally put the pigeon out of its misery and proceeded to pluck and prepare it. While she did take a few mouthfuls of the pigeon for herself, she did not eat it, AND did not bring any of it to Courtney!!
Baby Courtney watched the entire event and happening from her elevated position on the courthouse ledge, but made no attempt to call out or vocalize to mom, which is very odd indeed!
After the pigeon was plucked and prepared, Truss flew off - without the pigeon-,, and landed on the upper courthouse roof directly above Courtney and roosted for about ten minutes or so. Truss then flew off to the south east upper courthouse roof (still in direct eye sight of the Courtney) and stayed there until darkness fell. For the most parts, baby Courtney remained very in-active and throughout the entire day, and by 9:30pm she had disappeared from our view, moving back further onto the ledge and settled in for the night.
Satisfied that everyone was settled down for the evening, we closed the fledge watch down for the evening and departed around 10:30pm.
It is also worth noting that Milton was not seen for the most parts throughout the day.
Also, I have added some of the photos that were taken yesterday during the physical examination of Courtney before she was released back to the ledge. It is very important that a physical examination be done to ensure that Courtney had not sustained any brakes or fractures before she is released back to the upper ledges. She checked out just fine, with allot of “attitude”and very feisty! Just what we wanted so see!!
