March 26, 2012 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
Linda Woods Reports:
Ranger and Hunter have been seen in the Mt.Siani area all winter with more frequent sightings as the nesting season approaches.
This morning both adults were seen at 09:00 on the far south ledge of the east side of the Hospital. E-chupping could be heard as they “met up” for a quick moment. The male then flew off and around the corner to sit in the sun on the south facing ledge.
Keep an eye open, I think this year they may be liking this area of the ledges.
Posted on March 26, 2012 10:20 am
March 26, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Just did a quick spot check on our pair and was lucky enough to catch a shift change. It’s very cold this morning and as expected when I arrived at 7:15 no one was visible from the ground.
At 8:30 when I went out, Angel was on the cam looking like had just eaten as evidenced by her crop size. Approximately 2 minutes later I heard and saw Jack vocalizing from the nest box as he exited.
Angel immediately flew in a semi circle from the cam perch and climbed into the nest box, a bit of adjusting and I could see her wing tips as she assumed incubation position. Jack flew around to vocalize that he was leaving and flew to the north towards his other nest site.
I am now convinced 100% that we have full time incubation - I was sure yesterday but due to the disturbance at the site, I wanted to see more evidence. I am going to use Friday, March 23rd as the first date for start of incubation based on the behaviours I witnessed during the week.
It’s a guesstimate at this point but given she didn’t have eggs on March 16th - I’d say it’s a fair estimate and will give us a frame of reference as to when a hatch might occur.
Posted on March 26, 2012 8:52 am
- All Reports
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Frank and I had to end our day checking in on our dynamic duo out at the William Osler Hospital. After the battle and building strike that Hurricane endured just a few days ago and eggs coming out all over the place, we wanted to make the stop for a look. When we arrived, Hurricane was up in the east tower drinking in the last rays of the day and looking really good. He was bright and alert and if I do say so, well preened and ready for the season. I went in to check the monitor and was informed by security that on their last rounds of the building, which includes the mechanical level where the monitor is, that there wasn’t any eggs as of yet. Our thanks go out to the great folks on the William Osler security team for their unending support!! I went back out to the parking lot and found Hurricane still occupying his spot in the tower and watching with interest a location to the south. It wasn’t a “head bob food look” but rather the kind of look that the males have seeing their females. Although we couldn’t see her, we suspect that O’Connor was in the south tower catching her own period of evening sun. We will be checking back in at this site frequently in the expectation that eggs could arrived any time soon and will keep you well informed.
Posted on March 25, 2012 11:51 pm
March 25, 2012 - Mississauga - Holcim
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Frank, Bruce and I all met down at Holcim today to follow up on my observations yesterday of a potential egg at the site. While we do not have a sight line into the nest ledge itself, we knew that we could ascertain whether the female did lay an egg based on the adults behaviour… …and so we watched. For 5 or more hours. It was the best show on earth!
Our first sighting of either adult was of the male as he came in to the nest ledge. His stay was short as he moved to a lower roof close to where we were standing. We were able to read his band number right away and he is none other than Storm wearing a Black recovery band with 94 over D clearly legible. He was hatched in 2004 at the Etobicoke Sun Life building to Marco and Angel and were it not for the community stewardship and the CPF voluteers he would not be the success that he is today. His fledge was daring and dangerous as recounted here in a post made 8 years ago..
Posted by Mark Nash in 2004 - “Storm” as he has been named, was the first to fledge this evening. After coming almost directly to the ground, Storm spent much of his time running around the south side of Bloor Street causing a huge disruption of the local traffic and causing quite a scene on the neighbouring side streets. After receiving a telephone call from a patron in the Pub, we were dispatched and on the run once again to respond to a downed peregrine. Upon our arrival, we witnessed the community in action with close to a dozen concerned citizens surrounding Storm to prevent him from wandering once again out into the traffic on Bloor Street. Apparently Storm crossed Bloor Street at least twice not more than three feet off the ground in low flight on one occasion and walking on the ground in between the moving cars on Bloor Street on the second occasion. The group quickly moved into action stopping traffic while Storm crossed Bloor Street to the north side. He was then detained by the surrounding crowd until we arrived several minutes later.
Now a “man” and resident male at Holcim, he is a thrill to watch. He left his perch near Avonhead Road to hunt and minutes later brought in a small bird to the nest ledge. He took the food into the ledge and disappeared but we could hear him calling. He called to the female to coax her in and when she didn’t respond, he flew into the property and found a building to stash his package. He then flew up to a tall stack to preen. Shortly thereafter, the female appeared landing on the nest ledge. There she stayed for awhile but was too far away for a really good look. Storm left his perch on the stack and joined her for an opportunity to mate. He then took off and not 20 feet away from us, snatched a pigeon right out of mid air. No stoop, just a snatch. He took the meal to a low roof near the nest ledge where the female joined him, they exchanged the food and she set in to eat. Not 5 minutes into her meal, Storm was on the nest ledge and a third male interloper was in the air above the pair. The two resident adults quickly escorted the rogue out of their air space sending the bird west. The pair then returned to the nest ledge, checked in the back on something and flew to the center of the plant to mate. Things calmed down for a spell and the female returned to the ledge for a nap. It wasn’t long before the local Red Tailed made an appearance which drew the female off of her perch right over our heads where she grounded the hawk with a warning stoop. More food exchanges and more mating capped off the afternoon adventures with several visits to the nest ledge for brief disappearances into the corner. We are fairly certain that the first egg has arrived.
Just as we were packing up to go, the female came in on the low roof right beside Avonhead Road. We were able to set the scope up again and get a look at our girl and she wears a Black over Green band with S over 40 clearly marked. She was named Caspian and was hatched in 2008 at the Bank One nest site in Canton, Ohio to the infamous Maverick and Priscilla. Although she originally was given a USFW band, it is clearly no longer there leaving her right leg bare.
Phew!! A fantastic day of watching peregrines! Bruce, Frank and I all agree that based on behaviour, the first egg did arrive last night. While we can’t visually confirm this, all three of us are confident of our conclusions. Way to go Storm and Caspian and congratulations Holcim!!!
Posted on March 25, 2012 11:35 pm
March 25, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I spent 4 or so hours at the Bridge this afternoon. During this time, not once did we see a bird at the Playpen and there was only approximately ½ hour in total when the nest box was empty. Either Mom or Dad were down in the back left corner of the box. Mating also continues. Following is a recap of what we saw this afternoon:
1. 12:56 pm - There were 2 Peregrines in the air and 1 in the nest box (not sure which one). “Oh oh, an interloper”. Eventually the bird in the nest box entered into the chase and after several hits, the interloper moved on.
2. 1:08 pm - Both birds returned to the Hamilton Hydro Tower and then Mackenzie flew to the nest box and disappeared inside.
3. 2:03 pm - Mackenzie left the nest box screaming to chase off a Red-Tailed Hawk who had entered their air space.
4. 2:05 pm - Cirrus then left the Hamilton Hydro Tower and flew to the nest box and disappeared inside.
5. 2:15 pm - Mackenzie had to chase off another Red-Tailed Hawk
6. 3:15 pm - Cirrus moved to the front of the nest box and Mackenzie went shopping for a food cache under the Skyway Bridge. He returned with what appeared to be a Meadowlark and took it to the front face of the Hamilton Tower to prepare. Mackenzie delivered the meal to the nest box. Mom flew to the roof of the Hamilton Tower with Mackenzie following still carrying the food. Dad returns to the nest box and disappears inside.
7. 3:28 pm - For the first time ever, we observe Cirrus land on the top of a light standard on the QEW. Mackenzie flies over and then they both return to the cable wires where we observe them mate.
8. 3:46 pm – Cirrus flies to the nest box and disappears inside while Mackenzie stands guard from the Hamilton Cable arm.
Posted on March 25, 2012 6:47 pm
March 25, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Last Friday, March 16th some of the CPF staff were out at the site to do an ‘egg’ check and at that time nothing was found. This past Monday when I arrived at the site I couldn’t see any falcons around so I thought perhaps no one was home. A few minutes later someone stepped onto the roof of the building and suddenly Angel flew out of the box alarming and crying. She landed on the centre tower where she continued to cry out in distress. I noticed how puffy she was and how bottom heavy, I was amazed she actually flew that far as she was obviously ready to lay an egg. Fortunately whoever was on the roof vacated quickly and she flew right back to the nest box.
From Monday to Friday, she was either in the nest box sitting, laying down or standing by the nest box any time I was able to check on her. Today I was able to spend a few hours on site observing. When I arrived I literally saw Angel fly up to the ledge from the south and she entered the nest box. As no one immediately exited, I thought okay well she’s not incubating yet then as she wouldn’t leave the eggs on their own like that.
I could see a little head peeping over the lip of the nest box and right next to it a falcons tail..hmm I thought, either she’s a pretzel or there are 2 falcons in that box! Sure enough a few minutes later Jack exited the box and stood on the ledge watching over the condos. A few seconds later, I saw several people on the rooftops and all heck broke loose. Jack started alarming, at first not too loudly but then more rapidly and loudly which brought Angel back out of the nest box and she took to the skies and started circling above the people on the rooftop. Jack went back into the nest box and watched as I could his little head peeping out.
After about 15 minutes of this, the rooftop was cleared and Angel returned to the nest box and Jack exited. I could Angel arranging herself and then she was flat out in the nest box where she stayed for next few hours. Jack left for his other site and then came back and stood on the camera for a good 45 minutes before I left. During that time I didn’t see Angel leave the nest box nor could I see her tail feathers or her head..the question is how many eggs? It was a warm day today here with a high of 17c so no reason to keep the eggs warm if there were only 2 and there were would be more mating until all the eggs were laid and I saw no evidence of any of that today. It looked more like incubation behavior to me.
Temperatures are expected to plummet the next 2 days so regardless of how many eggs, they will be on them as it’s expected to go below zero in the evenings and only a high of 4c.
Posted on March 25, 2012 6:07 pm
March 25, 2012 - Brampton - Courthouse
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Sunday March 25th - 2012
Well this morning at 8:30am, no one Downtown but a pair on the Court House. NE corner very similar to the old site, a number of short flights , over to the old SW corner nest ledge. Male in on ledge calling, then goes out on a very short hunt or to pick up a cache on the plaza roof and returns with a small pkg. A food exchange occurs in midair over my head, and the female takes it to a top corner. Male returns to nest ledge.
Within two minutes the male takes off south, flying straight and quick. The female waits 30 secs then follows carrying the pkg. At that moment another adult female arrives (from the N) and lands on the top corner that was occupied by the 1st female.
I watch the two adults fly South till out of sight. Then I take one more pic of the new arrival, and head on down hwy Ten to poke around.
Within ten minutes I find them on the Wells Fargo/Samsung bldg at the SW corner of 10 and 401 (about 5k down hwy Ten). I watched for ten minutes, some short flights, sign to a ledge. Then an a dual attack on a kestrel about 300 meters out and back to this bldg.
I have three pics, pair on Court house then the intruding female and the pair on the Wells building.
No need to post them, I just wanted you to see them.
Flipping amazing…..
Toivo
Posted on March 25, 2012 12:31 pm
March 24, 2012 - Brampton - Courthouse
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Saturday March 24th - 2012
Today, three more checks of the Court House. Active pair all day, with the male going in on the nest ledge, and calling.
If you recall I mentioned the possibility of more Grins, I had a feeling…..
Stay tuned for more observations tomorrow……..
Toivo
Posted on March 25, 2012 12:29 pm
March 24, 2012 - Mississauga - Holcim
Tracy Simpson Reports:
On site yesterday at Holcim I immediately found the female on the lip of the ledge that the pair have traditionally nested on for the past several years. She was napping away and so I set my sights on trying to locate the male. He was on a higher elevation just out of her sight relaxing. He took to the air and came around to see her which started her whining for him. He flew up to an overhang and I wasn’t quite sure what he was doing until he appeared with food. He flew onto the ledge ee-chupping his little heart out and they exchanged the food and she was off. She didn’t go far with it, ending up on a low elevation with a direct line of sight to the nest ledge. After finishing off his gift, she remained where she was and started to drift off to sleep despite the winds that were challenging her balance on the small rail that she stood on. Within 10 minutes, he flew in and the pair mated. She stayed right where she was only moving slightly to get out of the gusty winds. Talk about egg lethargy!! She appears as though she is ready to lay and egg this weekend and I suspect that this will be the pairs first. With the winds and light rain yesterday, any egg previous to this would be covered by an adult. This was not the case as both adults were in my view for over an hour and at no time did one of the pair enter the ledge and disappear. Also of note, at no time did the female roost and her body posture told me that she is heavy with eggs. Great news for Holcim!! I will be back on site today to check in and see whether her behaviour has changed indicating that she has released the first egg of the season.
Posted on March 25, 2012 9:25 am
March 22, 2012 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
On Thursday, I was out to the William Osler Hospital site to check in on Hurricane and his mate O’Connor and equally as important, to turn on the monitor for the IP camera at this site. Upon arrival, Hurricane was in the south tower relaxing and I watched O’Connor take flight over the ravine to the south and head over to the Humber College area. It wasn’t long before Hurricane joined her and the two disappeared off of the site for over an hour. The female came back first and landed in the east tower facing the nest ledge and decided to take a nap in the afternoon sun. She stayed for about 45 minutes and shortly after she left, Hurricane arrived and took her place in the tower ee-chupping and bowing the whole time. His flights are excellent, balance is good and the swelling I could see above one eye looked almost completely gone. What a tough little guy he is!! No wonder given that he is the offspring of two other very resilient birds, Windwhistler and Wind. After I was completely assured that all was well here, I headed upstairs to the mechanical room to officially turn on the monitor for the season. No eggs in the tray as of yet and hopefully they are not far behind. The image the monitor was receiving from the IP camera was astounding and we hope that the great folks at William Osler will be able to continue to support our efforts here by providing us with access to the internet so that we can bring this incredible image to the world as this site now has a large world wide following. Check back soon for further updates on the progression of the nesting season!!
Posted on March 25, 2012 9:02 am
