June 14, 2012 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
Thursday June 14th - 2012
First day on the watch started out with getting orientated with the area and buildings and setting up. A huge thank you to Harlequin and Donna for allowing us to use the vacant office in the 9th floor that offers a great vantage point at some elevation should we loose track of a fledgling that may end up on a roof top or a ledge that simply can’t be seen from ground level.
A quick check in with the security at 220 Duncan Mill Road to let them know that we are back in the streets on the fledge watch. Confirmation of roof top access with the management of 225 to ensure that we have access to release downed fledglings from this elevation.
All three hatchlings still on the ledge, but the young male - named Blaze - (with Blue Tape) is already running the entire upper length of the ledge of the south elevation of the nest building. His two sisters, (one and two days younger) named Mira and Amora ae still on the nest ledge and have yet to venture beyond the boundaries of the vertical concrete columns at each end of the nest ledge. Blaze on the other hand has long since mastered the jump around these barriers!
He continued to aggressively run and back and forth from one end of the building to the other most of the day and appears to be plagued with bad luck, as each time he found himself at one of the building, his parents flew in with food to other end and fed his two sisters! Poor Blaze, (even I couldn’t help feel sorry for him)! The poor bird spent most of the day screaming for food - ALL DAY LONG pretty much up to 9PM. At one point his screaming was so loud and constant, it had two pedestrians six floors down on the side walk so distracted - (and looking up as they walked) that they actually walked into one another!
Despite Blaze’s bad luck being at the wrong end of the building, both Quest and Kendal were in over time with food delivery and brought in food to the nest ledge SIX times from 2pm to 9pm. On one of the last feedings, Blaze did eventually hook up with Quest and I watched her feed him beak to beak.
The local wildlife abounds, and raccoons are plentiful! I was totally amazed at one point seeing a mother racoon followed by four tiny baby raccoons actually cross the street only feet from my location at the pedestrian cross walk as if they knew that the automobile traffic would stop,,, AND IT DID!!
Several cars stopped at the cross walk as the drivers looked on in amazement themselves and waited as the raccoon family safely crossed the street.
By 9pm, the screaming had finally stopped, and all of the hatchlings had settled down for the evening. Sadly, I was unable to get any photos today.
Stay tuned………..
Posted on June 15, 2012 11:58 pm
June 15, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Windward was rescued today from a balcony where she was trapped behind the glass. She is in great shape, feisty and wow is she a big girl! She will be released tonight under cover of darkness to the rooftop where she will be reunited with her siblings.
Sadly, there will be one less sibling to beak with in the morning. Tonight, at approximately 4:45 Regatta had a fatal collision with the nest site building. She died on impact and her body was retrieved from the lower rooftops.
Frank will provide more detailed updates later on, it’s been a tough day for everyone. Thanks to everyone who helped today especially Angie who retrieved Regatta and brought her safely to ground.
Posted on June 15, 2012 10:04 pm
June 15, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
The kids are doing amazing. They are red hot flying machines. Today, we witnessed all 5 birds in the air at the same time. Cirrus and Mackenzie coaxing the kids with bits of dinner. “You want this, then you have to come and get it”. Barry actually witnessed a food transfer today between Mackenzie and one of the juvies.
The next few days should bring some amazing aerobatics.
Posted on June 15, 2012 7:05 pm
June 15, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
Aphrodite, Grayor and Tristen continue to do well with nice long flights.
Dundee is still unfledged but is seen doing a lot of flapping today.
Both the adults,( Erin and Windwhistler ) continue with long soaring flights in front of the nest building .
Food was delivered to the building across from the nest ledge, trying to lure Dundee off.
At 3:30 pm, a food drop was made to the nest ledge. Aphrodite, the big girl that she is, joined Dundee to partake in the offerings. Could not have been a big serving, Dundee was quick to return to the edge of the ledge and look out.
Renovations continue on the roof of the King Edward Hotel and hopefully this activity won’t disrupt Dundee’s maiden flight too much. CPF volunteers are keeping an eye on him.
Posted on June 15, 2012 3:56 pm
June 15, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
Morning Shift: I started out checking all sides of the Hilton
and then made a quick trip up to Sheraton 43. None of the chicks
were seen. I then started walking tours ranging from Metro Hall
to City Hall with a brief stop at Cloud Gardens - again nothing.
A second trip to 43 found one of the chicks on 141 Adelaide W.
This building is across the street from 150 York and only a little
of it is visible from Sheraton 43.
I moved to the area behind the Hilton and the chick immediately
flew north-east towards 130 and 120 Adelaide out of view. It
was a solid flight but I didn’t get to see the landing. By 11:30am
I was back in front of 120 Adelaide and noticed a juvenile on
141 Adelaide again. It is either the return of the juvenile or
another one there but out of view earlier. One of the adults
arrived with food at 11:40am, stayed with the chick for a couple
of minutes and then took off to the west.
Posted on June 15, 2012 1:38 pm
June 15, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Last night was my final night on the Etobicoke watch as I switch gears to Yonge and Eglinton to help Haven and Stormin’s kids the best I can. When I arrived, I had Regatta on the corner of the condo and was able to confirm that it is her by the tape colour; blue. Another chick was on a ledge of the nest building facing Bloor St and after a bit of walking about, I found a third on a ledge of the nest building on the Aberfoyle side. I can’t confirm the identity of these two as they were sitting back into the ledge and their legs were not visible. As I left the watch for the night, three were definately in sight and O’Connor was there as well. She made efforts to get the chick on the Aberfoyle side to move but it refused to budge and instead laid down for the night on that ledge. Frank, with help from Kathy, Baylie and Rob when they are available ( these folks are amazing and we are so grateful for them ), will continue to remain on site until Olympia, the last to fledge ( first flight yesterday ) gets herself organized and makes it back to the nest ledge.
Posted on June 15, 2012 9:32 am
June 15, 2012 - Mississauga - Holcim
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Mark Nash received a phone call this evening that a juvenile peregrine falcon was down on the ground in the Holcim plant area. A worker at the site, also named Mark, was coached on how to do a rescue and what to do next and he did an awesome job at it!! Bird in box, he called back to share the success of his rescue with us and I was called by Mark Nash to attend the site and check the bird out. When I arrived and took at look in the rescue carrier, I was greeted with a whole lotta hissing and puffing up. This chick looked furious. I took the bird out and transferred it to a larger rescue box and throughout the whole move, the bird lashed out with talons, bit out at me like a little rattlesnake and yelled its displeasure. The young one had lots of energy and major attitude, nice pink mouth, holding both wings up, eyes bright, excellent balance and standing at attention. This chick looked absolutely fine except for a few ruffed feathers on the left wing. Regardless of that, the bird was alert and at the ready. I left the bird in the capable hands of security and returned to check back on the little one before heading home. The OMNR were called to visit the site and band the young one as we were not able to get these chicks banded this year due to time conflicts. The chicks need to be banded ideally between 18 and 24 days and the rock climber needed for this site was not available during that crucial window of time. The plan is to band the young should they come to the ground and it looks like we have our first. Check back for an update on the little one’s info!!
Posted on June 15, 2012 12:42 am
June 14, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Sad news from the Sheraton nest site. Our youngest male, Cosmo who had taken his first flight today around 3:30, collided with a glass building on York street and died. Bruce witnessed the flight and collision and quickly confirmed that it was Cosmo.
I met up with Bruce shortly after and we continued with watching the remaining three fledglings. Journey who was placed back on the nest ledge was still there. Marlee, who I identified by the yellow tape, was still on the upper portion of 120 Adelaide Street.
Fef, the other female was on the upper portion of 130 Adelaide with one of the adults. Around 6p.m. Journey took flight. Bruce believes she went of the ledge and turned north of the Sheraton. And that was the last we saw of her for the evening. She could be on the north side of the Hotel. Bruce did a foot search and saw no indication of her.
Meanwhile, Marlee was still on the upper portion of 120, while Fef remained on the upper portion of 130. I went back to the nest ledge around 7:30, just to check that Journey had indeed flew off. Not expecting to see anything, there was Tiago cleaning prey!
Tiago flew off and took the food to Marlee on 120 Adelaide Street. I moved my focus on Fef to see if she would get up from lying down on the upper level. I looked back to Marlee and he was gone. Bruce saw Marlee take off and land on the north east area of the Adelaide Street Bell Building. I did not see any movement or landing by Marlee. So now he is not seen. Back to watching Fef. She took off and flew horizontaly across the roof line south and circled back with wings flared, and did not see her come out from around the building. She could still be on the same structure but on the south side. A very difficult place to see a bird at that height. Just can’t get an angle on that area from Street level.
At the close of today’s watch around 9 :15p.m. Bruce and I had no further sightings of adults or juveniles.
I’m sure they’ll poke their heads up in the morning.
Posted on June 14, 2012 10:48 pm
June 14, 2012 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
For the eight hours we were there the four of them were just having a lazy day. When we arrived at the Bridge Freddie and Voltaire were near the nest ledge. Eddy was on the top of the abutment while General Brock, Twitter and Viper were sitting on the third one down. We saw Voltaire come in once with a food package and Eddy was very happy about that. There was some flights but mainly just sitting and lying around.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators CPF
Posted on June 14, 2012 8:15 pm
June 14, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
Morning Shift: By 7:30am, I found the two chicks that were on
120 Adelaide at the end of day yesterday. One had moved to the
railing surrounding the upper penthouse. The bird was visible
from Sheraton 43 and the ramp at City Hall. The second bird had
moved over to 150 Adelaide and spent the morning walking all the
way around the roof ledge. I did not see anyone being fed.
During the morning, I only saw one chick on the nest ledge. By
11am it was flapping and running back and forth - an adult was
on the ‘S’ of the logo waiting for it to go. It didn’t and
eventually settled down. The adult flew off. It could have been
the two chicks taking turns. A CTV news helicopter was in the
area earlier and both adults watched it closely.
Posted on June 14, 2012 3:30 pm
