!!! MEC - The Last Four Days - This is a Must Read!!!
November 12, 2011 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
The last four days at the Mississauga Executive Centre has the makings of a really good blockbuster movie; an accident, a daring rescue, the impossible recovery, the triumphant return, the other woman, the standoff and the happy ending.
The Accident: We recieved a call at our head office in Toronto on Wednesday Nov. 9th that an adult peregrine falcon had been recovered at the base of one of the towers following a high speed impact with a window. The bird was found lying face down on the ground by the MEC security team. They immediately recognized the falcon as being one of their resident adults and although they didn’t witness the impact itself, they knew that this bird was in serious trouble.
The Daring Rescue: The amazing folks at the MEC security responded immediately to assist the now unconscious and tremoring bird. They placed her in a box in the security office of MEC 1 and called the CPF office for help. Marion took the call and dispatched Bruce Massey to the scene and informed me as I was on my way back through the area. She then called the Toronto Wildlife Centre to let them know we were on our way with a case of head trauma. When Bruce arrived on site, he opened the box to make a quick assessment of the bird. Initially, it looked as though she was no longer alive. Her eyes were closed and her breathing undetectable. He moved to touch her and she responded with an attempt to lift her head and move her tail. Her attempt to stand failed. Bruce transferred her to his vehicle and headed straight for Toronto Wildlife.
The Impossible Recovery: Upon arriving at the Centre, the bird was immediately taken into assessment for examination. Once out of the box, she could barely maintain consciousness and was incapable of holding her head up. Her band numbers confirmed that this bird was the resident female at the MEC site named Infinity. The vet tech on staff that examined her placed her in an oxygen chamber and gave her an anti-inflammatory. There was very little optimism expressed that she would survive to recover, her condition appearing too grave. They would give her the night and re-assess in the morning. The staff at TWC walked in Thursday morning to a most unexpected surprise; Infinity was awake and alert!! She was assessed for any broken bones or other trauma but there was none!! She was placed in an aviary and given some time to settle in; her recovery considered to be quite incredible and quick for a bird completely incapable of standing less than 24 hours earlier. Marion at the CPF head office kept in close contact with the TWC as to her condition and potential for release. By Friday Nov. 11, the TWC called our office to inform us that she was ready to go and she was behaving as if she was quite eager to be off. The release was set for Saturday; news that we were overjoyed to hear.
The Triumphant Return: Frank and I left early this morning to head down to TWC to pick up Infinity for release. We were amazed at her speedy recovery and were looking forward to sending her home. We drove out to the MEC site in silence, both of us really excited to do this. When we arrived, we pulled into MEC 2 to check the site out first. I had been here on Thursday to look for possible reasons why this accident might have occurred. I was concerned that a territorial battle with another female might have caused her to crash, but there was no female on site during my visit. That was not to be the case today.
The Other Woman: From MEC 2, Frank and I could clearly see the resident male sitting one series of windows to the left of the nest box and to his right, there was another adult female sunning herself. The male didn’t seem disturbed by her presence but I can’t blame him, she was huge!! She made two recon flights around MEC 1 at low altitudes and high speeds and was definately reacting to her own reflection in the mirrored glass windows of the building. After two round-a-bouts, this unbanded interloper then did the most unacceptable thing; she flew over and perched on the roof of Infinity’s nest box!! There she called to the resident male in hopes of drawing him in but he stayed put. He vocalized several times but not with a courting or alarm call; it was more like juvenile food begging. I immediately called Mark and we discussed our options. Three things were undeniable; Infinity needed to be released, there was another female in her territory and no matter where we released her Infinity was going to make a bee-line directly home. We decided on a release site northwest of the nest building. I left Frank at MEC for the inevitable arrival of Infinity so that he was in position to assist. When I arrived at the release site, I put the box on top of a picnic table and opened the door. Infinity didn’t even step forward before launching herself straight into the wind and directly towards her nest site. She was on site in less than 3 minutes.
The Standoff by Frank: We called Mark Nash to advise him of the situation and seek his advice about
where to release Infinity. We were going to release her but where? To
release right at MEC seemed like we were setting her up to be attacked
immediately without time to collect herself. Where then? Mark
and Tracy discussed possible sites, each with their benefits
and drawbacks, while I waited in the car,contemplating the very same things. We
all figured that she would immediately head back to MEC no matter where she was
released. Leaving MEC and going a
great distance away would have meant no one was on site to observe if
Infinity came back, witness if a territorial battle took place and affect a rescue
should one be necessary. After much discussion, the plan was
to take Infinity several kilometres off site and release her in a park
nearby fully expecting her to return to MEC ASAP. We thought the distance would
give her time to adjust to her regained freedom. Tracy set out for the
location while I waited at MEC with carrier and rescue towel in hand and binoculars and
camera at the ready. Both the adult
male and the “intruder” left my view towards Square One Mall. Tracy called at that
moment and said she was moments from releasing Infinity. Tracy and I knew that
with both falcons away from the site that it was perfect time. Tracy called back to tell me Infinity
flew immediately on her release with speed and purpose in the direction of MEC.
I began scanning the sky for her arrival, hoping there wouldn’t be a territorial
battle. Inifinity arrived in under 3 minutes and headed straight into HER
nestbox. She had reclaimed her territory and loudly announced her return. The
male came in flying fast with the “intruder” female close behind. She made a
pass of the nest building and then landed right on the landing platform of the
nestbox. I thought OHHH MY!! there is going to be trouble! To my surprise only a
stare down took place,with the “intruder” female flying off the box without an
audible sound. Soon all 3 falcons were in the air over the building. The male
decided to get out of the way and let the ladies settle things. He sat quietly
on the ledge over from the nestbox. Infinity landed at the nestbox again and the
“intruder” went the other direction. Crisis seemingly over Infinity decided to
fly around the corner of the building and sit on the Symcor sign. Soon the
“intruder” returned screaming at Infinity. I knew when she went out there she
would be forced into action. Infinity took off and from above her the “intruder”
attacked,going into a stoop. Infinity took evasive action and no contact was
made with her. Infinity chased the “intruder” out of sight towards the mall.
Minutes that seemed like hours later,one bird returned and flew to the nestbox.
Tracy arrived
back at this point and began taking photos. We were both reasonably certain the
returning falcon was Infinity,but that was clinched when Tracy began jumping up
and down with excitement and joy that she had taken a photo which showed the
Peregrine in the box had a band on,which meant it was definetly Infinity. Over
the next several hours Infinity moved around very little,guarding HER nestbox.
She called out a few times when the “intruder” made rather distant flybys.
Eventually she was comfortable enough to fall fast asleep,assured in herself
that she had chased off the intruder.
The Happy Ending: We left the site as the sun was starting to go down feeling safe in the knowledge that Infinity was back as resident female at MEC. She was tucked in next to her nest box with her head under her wing in a deep sleep. All the while, her dashing male sat on the northern corner watching over her and thinking about spring. Frank and I will be back on site tomorrow to ensure that all is well with the happy couple and that the ”other woman” has not returned.
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