June 13, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
June 14th - 2012
To recap today’s events, all three of the fledglings have been successful in returning to the nest box on their own steam, and have clearly demonstrated their ability to both stay aloft and hold their altitude. In addition, all three fledglings have gained altitude and already testing their parents nerves by repeatedly flying to the much taller hydro towers and other parts of the Skyway bridge!
Several very short games of tag (chase me if you can) have already been observed by the fledglings and one is already starting to chase their parents in the air for food.
The resident adult female - (named Cirrus) doesn’t appear to be having any further trouble with her leg/food injury and is landing, roosting and catching food just fine now. Both adults are incredible parents and attending to the “kids” every needs.
McKenzie - (the resident adult male) is still making use of the available food source (the many pigeons nesting in the lift bridge itself), and doing his share of local on-site pigeon control! While I have missed photographing the events, McKenzie is regularly going into the access holes of the steel structure of th Lift Bridge when its in the “UP position” and has been shopping for “fresh young pigeon” . Much like shopping in your local supermarket going up and down the aisles picking your favourite foods. Bill was able to get a serious of photos that clearly demonstrate this incredible adaptation. I truly hope that he will post some of these photos for all to see! Incredible event shots!!
As of today, the official fledge watch has finished as all three of your young falcons have demonstrated their ability to sustain flight and hold their altitude. While their landings are still much to be desired, practice will make perfect as we say, as this will be a learning experience for the fledglings / juveniles over the next few days as they hone their take-off and landing skills. While they will still be solely dependant on their adult parents for food and protection for the next 30 to 60 days, (and will continue to use the nest box on a regular basis), although they will be spending allot of their time on the bridge and hydro towers as always.
The fledglings will still likely be spending many of their nights in the nest box as this still represents “home” and a safe protected place to sleep.
Barring in mind, that all three of the fledglings at the Burlington Lift bridge nest site are males, and as such, their behaviour differs from that of females. Their affinity to the nest box will not be as important to them as it would be to the females. They young males will become far more independent, and much quicker that if they were young females.
As always, the resident adults will still be overly protective (even more so now) over the nest few days as their “children” are now mobile and on the loose.
Think of it as young 16 year old teenage boys with the keys to the family car for the first time! Look out world, I’m here!!!! Foot loose and care free as they investigate and experience their new world!
There will remain a skeleton base of CPF volunteers, local residents and bird watchers that will be checking in each day – throughout the day for the next week to ten days just in case any of the fledglings get into any further trouble, but an organized dawn to dusk watch is no longer necessary. We will of course remain on a 24/7 on call basis and can always and can be reached by mobile telephones.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all theos that have been so supportive, the CPF watch team and local community support for all of their assistance. A huge thank you to Bill and Sue for their kindness and support and for coordinating the fledge watch, and for their dedication to the cause, the birds, their community and the foundation! A great team!!!!
Stay tuned for more observations and postings…………..
Posted on June 14, 2012 12:20 pm
June 14, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
As promised, here are a few photos of O’Connor, Jack and the fab four.
Posted on June 14, 2012 9:31 am
June 14, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Observations made by Marion yesterday June 13th
Aphrodite made it back to the nest building today and spent the day on the very top while her brother Tristen spent time on Dundee Place and also with her on 18 King. Her other brother, Grayor, was still out exploring and we only saw him once. Little Dundee is still on the nest not quite ready to take off yet but soon. I left about 7:00 pm to head off to the Sheraton to put Journey back on the nest after her rescue.
This morning I was checking all the cams over a morning coffee and found little Dundee had taken up position at the ledge. He’s looking really good for a first flight and the weather is quite fine for such an event. The humidity is not as oppressive as it has been but its coming. Today would be a great day Dundee!! Go for it!!
Posted on June 14, 2012 9:27 am
June 14, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
While Frank is unable to reach a computer for a detailed update, I still wanted to share what I have been seeing at the close of the watch when I am on shift. He will provide you with a full summary report in the next few days.
I arrived on site tonight at around 8pm to relieve Frank and found Regatta on the corner of the easternmost condo tower, Windward was on a weird ledge on the first condo tower, Euro was somewhere on the roof of the same building and Olympia was taking part in her most favorite activity which is napping. O’Connor was on top of the first condo keeping her eyes on all 4 of her young ones and Jack was perched on the retaining wall on the roof of the nest building. O’Connor took off and shortly returned with a huge pigeon which she enjoyed eating on the ledge to the right of the nest. As you can well imagine, this created a ruckus amongst the kids who were all interested in a nighttime snack. She took what she didn’t eat over to the nest ledge and shared it with Olympia. This drew out Regatta from the second condo who flew over and landed on the ledge O’Connor had just left. Oops. Wrong spot for gettin’ eats. She didn’t care much though. She was so happy to return to the nest building that she laid down for a nap. O’Connor left the ledge and headed back to her perch. Within half an hour, Jack took off and returned with another small meal which O’Connor flew in and deftly removed it from his grasp and proceed up to the condo tower with it. She then flew back to the nest ledge and in doing so, drew in Windward from her napping ledge and two minutes later, Euro from the roof of the first condo. With the light of the day disappearing, 3 kids were now on the nest ledge and Regatta was one ledge to the right separated only by a concrete divider.
Just as the darkness became thick, O’Connor flew into the nest ledge and entered the nest tray where she beak tapped each of the three kids that were there and then settled into the tray beside them. Unbelievable how attentive she is and how strong her connection is to her kids. She was like this when she was at the William Osler Hospital site as well but the tray at that location is behind the sign and so this level of affection was harder to witness. She really is supermom and as I have said over the last four seasons of watching her, she is one of the most incredible falcons I have ever witnessed. I feel incredibly honored.
Check back for pictures of the kids over the last few days as they will be coming tomorrow.
Posted on June 14, 2012 12:25 am
June 14, 2012 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Yesterday Freddie and Voltaire chased away a Turkey Vulture. All of the chicks were busy flying, eating, resting, what most kids do.
Today Eddy the youngest one made a good flight upon to the roof near the river followed by one of her siblings. All four of them were fed at least four times during our Watch. As the day went by it was fun to watch them fly around everywhere. We noticed that General Brock and Eddy hang around together and Viper and Twitter hang around together. Around 8:15 P.M. Eddy made a great flight from one end of the parking lot to the other end and landed with ease in the tree higher than the Bridge so we were all quie happy to see that. The chicks are doing great flying around the Bridge.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators CPF
Posted on June 14, 2012 12:14 am
- All Reports
Linda Woods Reports:
CRAZY evening.
I arrived on site Rosalind and Bruce were already on site.
Both fledglings that had been missing for the past few days have been found! One was discovered by Bruce on the east side of 120 Adelaide Street. At that time we had two on the ledge and still one missing. Bruce went out to scour the area yet again. While Bruce was out, he received a call that a juvenile peregrine was on the 5th floor Atrium of 330 Bay St.
Rosalind and myself made our way to assist in the rescue. Intercon Security took us up to the area. Wow, a huge walled in area, with wall to wall bubble skylights and HVAC equipment, very little room to walk around, and no room for a bird to fly out from.
Journey was sitting on one of the HVAC systems. We gingerly approached as we carefully watched out footing around the bubble skylights. First attempt, she flew low and brushed a window and came to ground in a corner. Second attempt she scooted across and came to rest on the bubble skylights, which made it much easier to pick up, as the bubble skylights nestled her. Bird in hand we made our way out of this area and placed her in the carrier. Journey was feisty and hissy, a very good sign. She had no signs of injury what so ever. Healthy looking.
Many, Many thanks to Intercon Security of 330 Bay St., Allan Atkinson and the two other officers that assisted us. Great big thank you to office staff of 330 Bay St, that took the time to call after noticing, this rather large usual looking bird that needed assistance.
Bruce,Rosalind and myself made our way back to the Sheraton with Journey in the box. Rosalind departed for the day. Many thanks Rosalind for your assistance. Your first rescue!
A huge thank you to the Toronto Wildlife Centre for chasing us down this afternoon as I was alerted to the downed fledgling by their great staff who originally received a call from the security at 330 Bay Street. Simultaneously, during the flurry of incoming calls, 330 Bay street security had called the security down at the 18 King Street nest site, and they were simultaneously calling me attempting to reach the downtown fledge watch crew in the streets at the 18 King Street.
A big thank you to the security staff at both locations for their persistence and determination to get help for the young fledgling falcon! What a great team effort on behalf of all involved!!
Bruce and I secured Journey in a safe and quiet area. We decided that we will check the nest ledge to get band number from the two remaining on the ledge. I look through the viewing port, two juvies on the nest ledge. I switch positions to allow Bruce to look through, he sees only one! Another fledge in manner of seconds. Bruce made his way to the ground level while I stay up top and scanned the roof tops. Found it! It flew over to 120 Adelaide St. A Good flight and it didn’t loose much height. It wandered around that area for a short time. Adult was watching it from the top of 130 Adelaide. If it had kept walking it would have met up with it’s sibling on the other side of 120 Adelaide Street.
An exiting evening, happy we found the missing, glad we had another fledge.
So at the end of the night , we have two juveniles on the same building, one unfledged on the nest, and Journey who has a second chance to try it again.
Many thanks to Intercon Security at 330 Bay St, FLAP for relaying the call, Bruce, Rosalind and Marion for a job well done. Photo to follow as soon as I figure out how to get it off the phone. Ah technology.
Posted on June 13, 2012 10:52 pm
June 12, 2012 - Toronto - Don Mills
Ann Brokelman Reports:
Arrived at harlequin 1:05
All three on ledge
Quest and Kendall on harlequin building
Mira doing a lot of flapping
Blaze joined in and actually was in air
Kendall came on ledge and got knocked off by Blaze
Quest came in twice and got knocked off
Many people stopped and talked to me
Worried about peregrine
One lady from nest building came over worried as they saw a bird ftom the 7,th floor
It waz a dead pigeon
They are cutting the ends off ledges so pro ably a bird was left there for food.
All 5 were seen and were active.
Please note the construction did not bother birds.
Posted on June 13, 2012 10:13 pm
June 13, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
Morning Shift: I spent the better part of the morning looking
for the missing chicks. I wasn’t able to find them or even the
adults. The chicks on the ledge were not visible until around
10am. My travels took me as far as Metro Hall - all the way to
City Hall. Two trips to 43 didn’t find anything. On my second
trip there around 10am I did see an adult heading towards Metro
Hall.
At ground level both chicks were now on the ledge - running and
flapping. They spent about 15 minutes doing this and then the
parents came by. The male stayed on the hotel logo and mother
made about 10 passes of the nest ledge in a counter-clockwise
manner. These chicks are ready to go. By about 10:30 the chicks
settled down and the parents disappeared. At one time in the
courtyard, I could hear chicks calling but it could have been
from the nest ledge.
Posted on June 13, 2012 2:52 pm
June 12, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
June 10th to June 12th - 2012
Apologies for the lack of updates on my part as it has been an aggressive time in the streets as they say with five on-going fledge watches and the overlapping bandings. This up-date will have to serve as a summery of the last few days from my perspective, as my comminuting back and forth from Toronto to Burlington and the time I’ve spent on other watches in between have been mostly a blurrrrr, and with the releases after dark, there have been some late night commutes back home to Toronto each night.
As of Tuesday June 12th, all three of the young Burlington hatchlings can now be officially called fledglings, as they have each left the nest box and taken more than several flights. Although short, all but Crock-pot Jimmy had returned on their own steam back to the nest box,,, but he’s close to that elevation!
At the close of last nights watch - (June 12th), Port Hope had been successful in several short flights from tower to tower (and although still terrible hard landings), he has been successful in returning back to the north tower and the nest box itself. Remembering that unlike most of the other inner city urban nest sites, where other buildings that are typically used as “stepping stones” for the young fledglings to gain the elevation necessary to get back to the nest ledges, these stepping stone buildings are simply not present here. The fledglings have a limited number of places with various elevations to use in their efforts to get back to the nest box elevation. And this nest box is high up in the north tower for these young ones to get back tooooo!!
Carrey had to be rescued once during his first few flights and was released back to the north tower without incident and is starting to look like a real peregrine in flight - (well sort of) 
His landings are equally as bad, (and hard), but he is sustaining / holding his altitude.
Crock-Pot Jimmy as he has now been nic-named, spent part of today (June 12th) on the upper most beam of the Skyway bridge supervising the traffic, where his parents provided him with food and supervision throughout. Despite the fact that he was intimidated by some pigeons earlier on in his stint on the Skyway, it appears that he is quickly learning they present no threat. (It won’t be long before they start to look tasty)!!
By the later afternoon, Crock-pot Jimmy had successfully returned back to the north tower and was occupying a ledge less than 20 feet below the nest box elevation. Dad delivered him food and by darkness, he had settled down on the ledge for the evening.
Stay tuned for more updates and some of the many photos that have been taken………
Posted on June 13, 2012 10:30 am
June 11, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Baylie Kastner Reports:
June 11th - 2012
Caught this photo early this morning as O’Connor was leaving the nest ledge after dropping off some food to the kids.
Baylie
Posted on June 13, 2012 1:08 am
