!!! Courtney is now holding her altitude, gaining height, and making some good flights!
July 25, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Bruce Massey Reports:
July 25th - 2011 - PM Watch report:
We were rewarded this evening during the afternoon and evening fledge watch with a continuation of the morning and early afternoons events with Courtney demonstrating some incredible flights. It is obvious that she no longer has problems gaining altitude as she was able to achieve and gain altitude with some skill and confidence without any problems.
While the constant north west breezes aided her in most of her flights, she is learning very quickly how to utilize her tail and wings to her advantage and made several good flights from the lower ledges on the courthouse around the building to the upper roof elevations. On two occasions, she had flights where she soared with her parents around the courthouse building far above the roof level and almost looked as if she knew what she was doing 
Both Milton and Truss spent some time with Courtney in the air during several sustained flights and it appears that both parents are doing allot to encourage her to stay in the air for longer periods when she is actually airborne.
Milton does although seem to be much less involved with the day to day events compared to Truss, in comparison to other nest sites where the adult males are much more involved. Also, Truss seems to be doing the larger percentage of the hunting.
Courtney still seems to be clumsy as she is still tripping over her feet and slipping off the leading edges of the various elevations, but nothing more or less than we would have seen from a young peregrine at this stage.
She did have several slight minor bumps with the concrete edges of the walls on two of her approaches while trying to make landings to the upper elevations, but once again, nothing out of the ordinary. These soft bumps are good learning experiences, ones that will not be forgotten.
By the end of day, Courtney was still flying around from different spots on the upper roof elevations and has clearly shown that she has gained the confidence that she needs to stay aloft. Her strong flights are showing a huge improvement over yesterday’s.
It would appear that Courtney has actually figured out that she is a bird, and can actually fly!!
Stay tuned……..
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July 25th - 2011 - AM Fledge watch report:
0515 - Arrived in a torrential Thunder storm (So heavy, that I could barely see a fire truck pulling out a 100 yds. ahead of me. ) Had to wait in car for 15-20 minutes for it to subside.
0545 - Went to last known location of Courtney (North West Corner of Courthouse). Only saw one of the Adults (I think the Female) on top of one of the antennas, but no sign of Courtney. I started out on what turned out to be 2 circuits of the, one in close paying particular attention to bushes & Trees on the West side and a second one from a distance out, checking ledges & rooftops. Adult was still looking West so I crossed checked around the Police Station, and the Plaza. I stopped into the Coffee shop and as I stepped out I saw an Adult (Female) stoop low to the South, roust about 20-25 gulls and continue South & West and land in the tall Condo Antenna. This was an atypical enough behaviour that I followed and started to scan the lower elevations of the plaza. Much to my surprise I saw a familiar shape. Much to my surprise Courtney (An appropriate name apparently) was perched over the Front Entrance of the Provincial Traffic Court (It was measured to be roughly a 1/2 Kilometer away). Mom was still on the antenna. By this another watcher (Toivo) had arrived and we set up to keep Tabs on her.
About 20 or so minutes before Toivo had to leave to go to work, Courtney was flushed off her perch by a crow and it chased her across the intersection but had second thoughts when Mom stooped it from the Condo Antenna. It Turned away & Mom caught up w/Courtney and encouraged her up to the roof level @ the South end of Nest Building. Courtney’s landing wasn’t the best and she did tap the Metal @ the back but it was a light Tap.
0900 - Mom flew over to the Release Ledge and brought back some food to the Southwest side of the ledge, Courtney ran as fast as possible, snatched the food off Mom, who flew off.
0910 -I took a break and I found the adult Male on the Door railing facing East & Courtney was in her fathers favourite spot doing her fathers favourite thing “sleeping”.
1010 - While catching up on my notes, glanced up to see Courtney flying South and then West. She didn’t come back around, but she was keeping her Height and I figured she had to have slipped into a ledge and she would pop up eventually.
1200 -Decided to take break @ Coffee Shop. Iced Tea & 2 Red Velvet Cupcakes)
1230 - Called by Sherry she had found Courtney, on the East Side on a ledge @ 6th Floor Level, tucked against the wall.
1240 -Confirmed above Report, she stayed that way pretty well through the afternoon. Occasionally she would be vocal, flap her wings, but she would settle down. Her parents alternated being near her.
1630 -Mom went low over Service Ontario building, this were the Crows were hanging out.
1700 -Just as I left, Courtney made a very good flight to the upper roof of the Courthouse. The landing wasn’t all that great (She Flared Up & landed a foot or so on the Roof).
Thanx Bruce
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