March 21, 2012 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I was out in Oshawa and on a break between delivering Project School Visit to students with Alexandra our Great Horned Owl when the phone rang. It was Marion. She immediately dispatched me to the William Osler Hospital site where staff had witnessed a Peregrine falcon striking the building and the bird was now on the ground in need of help. Marion directed the staff on how to safely help the bird, called ahead to the rehab centre that I was coming and called my school to rebook them. A big thank you to Gertrude Colpus School for their understanding and I look forward to seeing you next week.
When I arrived on site, I found a male in the east hydro tower ee-chupping for the female. I took several pictures and pulled out the scope; it was Hurricane, the resident male, with a solid black recovery band marked 5/X. His eyes were half closed and he had blood on his face. I entered the hospital and sought out Ross with Environmental Services and spoke briefly with him about the incident. He reports that as he and his son Brandon were returning from lunch across the street when they saw two males come around the north side of the building. Hurricane barrel rolled into a stoop and connect with the rogue male. The two, locked in battle, collided with the building. They ran over and Hurricane was on top of the other male and had him pinned to the ground. A moment later, they broke away and the unknown rogue took off leaving Hurricane standing on the ground. He stood there stunned and looking injured while Brandon ran inside and called the CPF head office. When he returned, Hurricane had recovered himself and had taken off.
After hearing the full story, I headed outside for some recon work. I found both adults in the east tower; O’Connor in front and Hurricane three tiers over. O’Connor was whining to him and trying to entice him into the nest tray but he was busy sleeping off his battle fatigue. Within 30 minutes, both adults were flying in and out of the ledge and flying together very well. Hurricane was keeping his altitude, making all landings spot on and while at rest was roosting and balancing well. It would appear that this was a very near miss for our resident male.
Just when I thought all was well, at 3:30pm the rogue male returned and attempted to land on the nest ledge. This time it was O’Connor who had had enough and set to chase this male out of the territory. He picked the wrong girl to tick off. She had this unknown male flying as fast as he could and as O’Connor harassed the male out to the southwest, Hurricane joined in and all three birds disappeared from my sight. All I could do was wait and see who returned.
It was a full half an hour of chewing off my fingernails when finally a male returned and it was Hurricane. A few minutes later, O’Connor also returned and the pair retired to the east tower to rest. At this point all became quiet and the pair relaxed for the first time since I arrived. As I was leaving, the resident pair took off on a hunt and both looked strong and well. I will be back down tomorrow to check in on Hurricane and O’Connor and make sure that all is well and that the rogue has finally gotten the message; this pair is not amused!!
Posted on March 21, 2012 11:03 pm
- All Reports
Bruce Massey Reports:
Did a quick 2 Hour Spot check @ Harlequin. Found one bird and then the 2nd on the Westin Hotel (North Side). They then disappeared to the South side of the Hotel. I went on a little bit of a Walk-a-Bout, and when I doubled back I found Kendal, on the North East side of the Harlequin Buillding. About 30 minutes later, He flew down to the East side of the Nest Building and bred Quest. He then flew to the West side of the next building East of the Nest Building. Fifteen or so minutes later, she flew over to the same building, chased him off the ledge (He had Food) and flew into the Nest Box, followed by Quest, and she picked up the food and took it back to the Building she left and proceeded to eat it. Kendal retired back to the NE corner of the Harlequin Building. i left around 1700 Hrs. with both on the East side of the Nest Building. The folks at Harlequin, also reported that Quest had made a scrape, and actually been seen laying down in it. Chester the Interloper has dropped in twice in the last 2 days, but has been seen off by Kendal.
Posted on March 21, 2012 10:22 pm
March 20, 2012 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I was out at the Mississauga Executive Centre site installing a new computer in an effort to reestablish the connection of the camera to the internet. During the installation, I glanced over at the monitor and was treated to a view of the four eggs that the resident adults are currently incubating!! The male was on the eggs at the time and was working diligently to keep them covered. Unfortunately I was unable to fix the connection but I am back out at the site again in the next few days to try with the help of the great folks that keep the building running smoothly. As I was leaving, a changeover occurred and the male flew up to the Dejardins sign. He had several long stretches before taking off on a hunt. Check back soon as we will be working feverishly to fix the internet connection and bring the live image to your right here on our website!
Posted on March 21, 2012 10:22 pm
March 19, 2012 - Toronto - Don Mills
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Ann Brokelman and Bruce Massey were onsite at Duncan Mill Road checking up on Quest and the adult male that arrived on Friday. The male was positively identified by his solid black 33/Y recovery band as Kendal and he was very active both inside the nest box and on the surrounding ledges with Quest. Both adults were seen courting, nest scrape building and mating throughout the day as the warm weather encouraged nesting to begin. We look forward to this new season with Quest and Kendal in their new CPF nest box!!
Posted on March 21, 2012 9:51 pm
March 21, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
I made a quick visit to the Sheraton early this evening and could not see the entire nest tray, the actual camera blocks the view of any eggs, that might be tucked into the far corners of the nest tray and out of the camera’s view.
This image captured at 8:22p.m. The first time in a long while I have seen one of the adults at the nest tray after dark.
Posted on March 21, 2012 8:29 pm
March 20, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
This image captured this evening at 6:58 p.m. I think they are close to having eggs. Keep Watching!
Posted on March 20, 2012 7:12 pm
March 20, 2012 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Last evening we went to the Bridge again, we were there for about 30 minutes or so before Freddie came flying into the nest, very vocal, he had a food package with him and what was in the nest tray, Voltaire lying so far down we couldn’t see her. She didn’t take the food so he flew up on the beam. He was busy preening himself for quite awhile. Then he cleaned the food package that he brought in and took it back to Voltaire who then took it and flew out of the nest and onto the beam to have her dinner. Freddie got in the nest tray and stayed there for quite a while. Then he stood on the top looking in, before we left Voltaire was still eating and Freddie was then sitting on the beam near the nest ledge.
If you want to volunteer to watch these amazing creatures please send us an email to wpfw2012@gmail.com
You won’t be disappointed to watch these beautiful creatures.
Gwen & Dennis, Site Co-ordinators CPF
Posted on March 20, 2012 9:30 am
March 19, 2012 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
Today at approx. 2pm Trillium produced her first egg. With the weather being so warm, she left it unattended & we got a good look at it.
Posted on March 19, 2012 8:30 pm
March 19, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Over the weekend, Bill and I spent quite a bit of time trying to read the leg bands on both birds. Through the scope we were able to see the 29/Y Black band of Mackenzie and today we were able read the Black K/Green 83 of Cirrus. This pair is very busy working in the nest box. Cirrus disappears inside and shortly after she leaves Mackenzie disappears inside. I assume he is rearranging what Cirrus has done. It appears to be an ongoing battle and I’m not sure who is winning. They are also spending a lot of time in the playpen of the Skyway Bridge Abutment. As both birds are very visible, and very noisy, I think we can safely assume that there are no eggs yet.
Posted on March 19, 2012 4:31 pm
March 19, 2012 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Yesterday, as we got to the Bridge we could hear Freddie and Voltaire but when we stopped we could only see Freddie sitting on his favorite spot, the pipe. We watched him for quite a while, he was very busy preening himself and looking around. We didn’t see Voltaire but that’s not to say she wasn’t there at all.
If you want to volunteer to Watch this season please send us an email at
wpfw2012@gmail.com
The more volunteers we have the better. You will be amazed at how exciting it is watching the babies grow in such a short time. Last year it was fun watching the chicks enjoy the new nest tray. Please don’t feel that you have to be an expert on Falcons to come down and enjoy this incredible experience. To watch the fastest creature on the planet go from an egg to full adult size in 38 days will truly amaze you. THIS ALL HAPPENS IN PLAN VIEW JUST 70 FEET ABOVE YOUR HEAD!!!!
Please contact us and we’ll help you with the rest
Gwen & Dennis, Site Co-ordinators CPF
Posted on March 19, 2012 8:20 am
