May 24, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Frank Butson Reports:
Further report on the Canada Square Peregrines - May 24 2012.
I returned to watch the peregrines at 4:10 this afternoon but neither bird was in sight. Some action began a half hour later when a peregrine flew from the east side of Rio-Can, south along the nest ledge on Canada Square, beyond 2180 Yonge Street and was gone. About fifteen minutes later I happened to glance at the NW corner of Canada Square roof and as I did so a peregrine flew south of 2180 Yonge Street again. There was also a flight behind the two condo buildings and finally at 5:34 I identified the peregrine as Stormin when he finally sat on the mast at 2180 Yonge.
I spotted Haven on the nest ledge when she did her little hop, jump and wing flap on the ledge before disappearing to the back. Stormin in the meantime was quite active and flew in from the west, over Canada Square around the back of Rio-Can and was gone for ten minutes at which point he flew in from the east. He went south again as far as 2180 Yonge then turned and flew back to the big mast on top of Canada Square where he perched for a while. He seemed to have a bit of difficulty balancing in the breeze but managed to stay perched. He made many more of these flights and when I took photos of Haven on the ledge she was just watching him as if to say * the banding is over and I chased all the baddies*.
Eventually Haven flew to the south face of Rio Can where she sat with wings spread a bit. I think she may have been a bit hot and wonder if she had been sheltering the youngsters from the sun and heat all afternoon.
Stormin was still playing the silly boy and flying around and about, landing on the RC roof on the west side then circling RC and eventually coming to roost on the roof above Haven. When I checked the photos I could see her looking up at him. He was staring into space. Not sure what he thought he could see but he eventually took off.
Haven was a bit cooler, I think, because her wings were closed and she cleaned her feet. She stretched one wing, then the other and flew straight to the nest ledge on Canada Square and disappeared from sight. I left at that point.
Lyn
Posted on May 24, 2012 11:37 pm
May 24, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Frank Butson Reports:
The banding of the three Canada Square Peregrine Falcon chicks was a great success, again.
Many thanks to:
Neil Armstrong and his wonderful staff, of Northam Realty Advisors Limited. Their monitoring of the scrape and the updates received are very much appreciated.
The gentleman from Solar Window Cleaning who has faced the wrath of Haven for the second year!! No faint heart is he, as he extracted and later replaced the chicks whilst Haven chattered at, and attacked, him! Am I correct in believing him to be Steve McGough?
Mark Heaton, from Ministry of Natural Resources who arrived solo today but who had help from some of the folks in the audience.
Also in attendance were several Torontonians, one for the first time, and the intrepid visitors from Rochester who came to see several bandings and visit and check on a number of their Rochester Peregrines who have settled in Toronto.
The stars of the banding need introducing:
Simcoe - 440 grammes - 17-20 days old - black band 63 over X - yellow tape
Solar - 395 grammes - 16 days old - black band R over 38 - blue tape
Brisk – 385 grammes - 17 days old - black band R over 39 - red tape
They all dutifully had their first few drops of water and were quiet whilst tasting this *wet stuff*. One feisty little youngster even had the nozzle in his beak for a brief moment. They still had messy faces from a recent feeding.
Whilst the banding was underway those on *the outside*, fending off Haven, placed a brand new nest tray on the ledge and filled it with pea gravel. We hope it will be put to good use in future years. Note the broom in the photo is used only to ward off attack,they DO NOT strike the birds or “baseball” swing at them.
At the end of the banding I went outside to my usual perch to see if there was any activity from Haven and Stormin. I could only see the very top of an adult head on the ledge but there was no other sight or sound from them. After a few minutes I left.
My apologies if I have omitted any acknowledgements.
Lyn
Posted on May 24, 2012 4:04 pm
May 23, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Today Rhea Mae and Tiago’s 4 healthy little hatchlings were banded, sexed and weighed at the much anticipated banding ceremony. Two boys and two girls rounded out the day and full details with pictures will be following shortly!! Congratulations Toronto Sheraton Hotel!!
Posted on May 24, 2012 9:33 am
May 23, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Tracy Simpson Reports:
The banding at the 18 King St. East nest site was a phenomenal success as the 4 healthy hatchlings were banded, sexed and weighed. There were many great folks in attendance and a wonderful day was had by all. The full story with pictures and info is coming soon so check back in!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on May 24, 2012 9:30 am
May 24, 2012 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Last night as Mark, Marion, Bruce and I attended the MEC site to ascertain just what was happening we realized in the 5 hours that we were there, that the resident female had not attended or been seen at all.
We now know without a doubt that the resident female adult has been injured and has unfortunately been taken out of the jurisdiction and sent to a rehabber. The CPF is currently and actively pursuing all avenues available to get information on her physical condition and her status for release. Full details to follow.
Posted on May 24, 2012 9:28 am
May 24, 2012 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Yesterday was the beginning of the full time Fledge Watch at the MEC site with a full crew taking shifts. I took the first shift early in the morning and at 7:10am, just as I was sitting at the lights to turn in, the phone rang. Marion was calling with another juvenile down in front of the nest building. Security reacted quickly and picked the bird up, placing it in a box in their fire room on the main floor. I was absolutely speechless and couldn’t even put together a sentence with Marion on the phone. She called Toronto Wildlife Centre for me and I went in to assess the young one.
When I walked in, security met me at the door and we immediately went to check on the bird. It was Skyreach. He was on his belly, eyes closed, feet cold and his breathing was shallow. We packed him up in the rescue carrier and I headed out to my car to get ready for transport to help. In the parking lot, I met up with Toivo who was helping with the morning shift. After a quick moment of orientation, I was off to TWC with Skyreach.
I arrived as they were unlocking the door and they immediately took him in for assessment. First step was an x-ray that gave us the news we never want to hear. It was clear that Skyreach had broken both of his legs at the upper joint and they were not in a position to be pinned and so beyond repair. It would appear that sometime just before I arrived, he had attempted a flight and then turned back to the nest building. Poor judgement and a bad head wind took him too fast into the building which broke his legs when at the last minute he put them up to absorb the impact. He fell straight down to the ground and landed flat on his chest as he could not use his legs. He suffered internal injuries that caused bleeding to occur. It was then that TWC and I discussed the fact that this bird would never stand properly again given the location of the leg breaks and that the internal injuries were still an unknown as to whether he would survive them. The call was made to let Skyreach go and with permissions given by the MNR and recommendations by the TWC vet, Skyreach was euthanized.
Two birds, two days, two losses, way too tragic.
I cannot thank enough Jennifer and her teammates on security at MEC. She has been amazing over the past two days as with all of the staff at the Oxford Property Management Group and security. It is through your help over the past decade that we have so many successes to celebrate. Thank you so much everyone.
I was at a loss as to why these young ones were doing this, this was not normal first flight behaviour for this site, and so I was down to close the watch last night and think. Something was motivating this. Something was not right. It was last night as Mark, Marion and I closed the watch that we believe we now know why. Check back for the full story and details by Mark Nash.
Posted on May 24, 2012 9:00 am
May 23, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Barry and Linda Cherriere:
Barry and I stayed at the Bridge until around 4:30ish. The babies got a feeding around 1:30. So, it seems like things are all quiet for now.
Posted on May 24, 2012 8:47 am
May 23, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Frank Butson Reports:
Today 4 chicks were banded. Here is a short video clip taken by a member of the extraction team.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/vNFmbWnLDI8
Photos and a full accounting of the banding will follow soon.
Posted on May 23, 2012 11:59 pm
May 23, 2012 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
Yesterday upon arriving at work, I noticed a 3rd egg. The falcons are now in full incubation mode. This is not an easy go for our resident male as yesterday in the early morning there was quite a spectacular aerial combat display. An intruding male tried to take over the nest box. I don’t know for sure who was the victor but we’re hoping it was Buffalo Bill. We’ll try to confirm. The important thing is that Trillium is still incubating the 3 eggs. If it works out, they should hatch around the 21st of June.
Posted on May 23, 2012 9:17 pm
May 23, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Today was banding day. Anne Yagi, Biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources performed the banding. We are happy to report that we have 3 healthy boys. Statistics are as follows:
Jimmy - Black Band 83/Y - wearing a green tape on his right leg - weighing 669 grams - 24 days old.
Port Hope – Black Band 84/Y - wearing a yellow tape on his right leg – weighing 636 grams – 24 days old
Carrey – Black Band 85/Y - wearing a red tape on his right leg – weighing 686 grams (with a full crop) – 22 days old
Given that they are all males, the Official Fledge Watch will begin on May 31st.
Let the fun begin as they fledge and learn to fly and hunt. Thanks to PWGSC and the Lift Bridge Staff for their support.
Photos to follow.
Posted on May 23, 2012 2:04 pm
