June 10, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Frank Butson Reports:
Tracy and Baylie will have more photos of the action in and around the Sunlife Financial Centre soon. Here are a few of Rob Muellers photos from June 10th. Thanks for your contributions and help with the watch. A special Happy Birthday to Angie, who made her special day more special by visiting with O’Connor, Jack and the kids.
Posted on June 11, 2012 3:38 am
June 10, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Frank Butson Reports:
Canada Square Peregrine report for 20120610
I thought I would check on the peregrine activity a little earlier than usual and arrived at 3pm. Nothing was stirring so I settled in for a wait. Six minutes after arrival I detected faint movement on the ledge and saw one very hot little bird lying flat out with one wing extended over the ledge. I could identify with that!!! He sat up, lay down then disappeared. Fifteen minutes later he reappeared, turned around once, extended one and a half wings and settled down facing west, seemingly exhausted from his efforts.
Twenty minutes later Stormin came breezing in circled above Canada Square and then swooped in to the OLD nest ledge, investigated the back and flew off.
Then it was Haven’s turn. She came in from somewhere north and flew south down Yonge street and was gone. A couple of minutes later she reappeared and twice circled the Canada Square building before flying to the east side of Rio-Can where she landed. Stormin followed her and landed briefly then flew south past the nest and beyond 2180 Yonge. Haven flew east, circled back past the nest and then flew south on Yonge past 2180 Yonge. I saw the two of them circling south of 2180 for about a minute and then they were both gone.
Forty minutes later Haven flew in and landed on the edge of the nest level. I could not tell if she had a food parcel or not but I heard the eyases squawking their excitement as they ran and flapped towards her. Then she left. All was quiet on the ledge and the little ones disappeared from view. Haven circled Canada Square and then settled on RC again. A couple of minutes later she was airborne again, southwards past 2180 once more and was gone. At some point she sneaked back to the east side of Rio-Can because she flew from there to the east side of the tall condo, high up and perched but not for long. She was back to RC four minutes later and this time she settled on the south face; now in shadow. I had one brief sighting of a little *fuzzhead* and that was it. Half an hour later I left, Haven was still on the RC building. No sign of Stormin.
Lyn
Posted on June 11, 2012 3:20 am
June 10, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Frank Butson Reports:
It turned out that last night I was seeing things. It was infact O’Connor who had flown from the nestledge late in the evening.
This morning at 7am, Kathy was on the edge of her seat when young Euro finally did make his first flight. He flew very well and kept his altitude. He had a long flight which had the highlights of him pushing off of the 2nd condo building, clinging to a nestbuilding window and without panicking come to rest on a ledge on the Aberfoyle side of the Sunlife Centre at the nestledge level. As the morning passed, Euro moved a few times including to the roof of the Sunlife Financial Centre, before rejoining his siblings on the nestbox at 140pm. There was a rather touching reunion with his sisters where they touched beaks. I’d really love to know what gets said when one arrives back to the ledge? The stories they must tell.
Glad that he was able to fly so well,things slowed down till about 4pm. Thats when our 2nd fledge occured,believed to be Windward. She gave me a fit by flying very high and out of sight, to the northeast. Jack flew with her the whole way so it was of some comfort that he knew where Windward had flown. I did a quick search along Aberfoyle, before calling Tracy who was having her own issues down at our King St nestsite. She would come and begin a search by car as soon as she was relieved at King St. I saw Jack fly back to the Sunlife, from the direction he had followed Windward in.
In the meantime, back on the ledge Regatta,Olympia and Euro had been fed a small food package caught and prepared by Jack and served by O’Connor. There was plenty of ledge running and flapping. I had saw a bird fly into the ledge. I checked what I thought was very closely and believed it to be O’Connor. I went down to the intersection at Aberfoyle and Bloor to see into the nestledge more properly and was unsure of exactly who was there. Was it O’Connor and 3 juvies or was it 4 juveniles.
A local resident who has joined me a few times Bob, who lives at The Kingsway On The Park came out and was chatting with me. When I described Windwards flight path he went for a walk around the various condos in front of The Kingsway On The Park and in the park as well. He described where he’d heard a few “smaller” birds calling. A Robin and a Blue Jay were giving heck to something, so Bob suggested further investigation. Tracy arrived just after Bob left and I gave her the trajectory that Windwards flight was. She pulled away in search of Windward. I studied the nestledge and within moments of Tracys departure I thought I had 4 juveniles on the ledge. I stared hopefully as I had 3 juveniles together and Yes!! a 4th was running the ledge flapping..clearly a juvenile behavior. It had indeed been Windward who had snuck in earlier. I made a call to Tracy and told her to abort her search. She came back somewhat skeptical and then verified that all 4 young Peregrines were indeed on the ledge. That was a relief to us both.
I was very fortunate today, to have Bob, Ken, Jo and Tom who all live locally and took a great deal of interest in the falcons. It was a pleasure to share even a brief moment with each of you chatting about “your” falcons. Thanks for caring and helping me get through a terribly hot, hectic day. The support that CPF gets from local residents,business owners and patrons and of course from Sunlife Financial Centre staff and management as well as Kingsway On The Park staff is so heartening and important to us doing what we do. Thanks to you all!
Posted on June 11, 2012 3:17 am
June 10, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
June 10th - 2012 - PM report:
Some time after first light this morning, little Carrey had taken his first flight and ended up on the lift bridge cables. Despite some bumps and grinds on his second flight attempt, he ended up landing on the south tower. His third flight produced a much better landing, but in the end he lost altitude and ended up on a beam on the North tower well below the nest box level.
Yet another attempt, (well sort of), he jumped from the cross beam on the north tower to the upper steel beans of the lift bridge itself when the bridge was in the upper position,, - (not exactly a flight), but a jump. At approx. 5:20 pm he took flight again and flew just above the water in the canal towards and flew towards the Hamilton harbor, veered right and attempted to land on the face of a concrete support pillar about half way up to the Skyway bridge, (this time over land).
Unable to gain further altitude, he was stopped short in his tracks by the face of the concrete column, doing a face plant into the concrete, and clung onto the concrete support column face for several seconds before falling to the ground.
Once spotted, the fledge watch team members caught up with him and he was eventually rescued by Bill moments after he ended up in some leaves and branches in a small tree only feet from the ground.
With the support of the great staff at the Burlington Lift bridge , he was examined for injuries and then released under the cover darkness to the roof top of the south tower without incident.
Meanwhile, his two siblings still remain in the nest box, and have yet to take their first flights.
Both resident adults were clearly visible all day, and very active in hunting and protecting the territory.. Several successful hunts (and kills) were observed by both adults, and several feedings
took place.
Stay tuned…….
Posted on June 11, 2012 1:29 am
June 09, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Today I was treated to a shift at the 18 King St. nest site with Erin and Windwhistler and their 4 little monkeys. I first had to drop Frank off at the Etobicoke Sun Life watch where little Euro had just fledged and was around the back of the nest building. As I was getting ready to head downtown, I received a call from Bruce that Aphrodite had taken her first flight and was now scooped up and in a rescue carrier!! She was unamused at this first flight business and took it out on Bruce!! When I arrived, Grayor was on the nest ledge flapping up a storm and little Dundee was staying out of the heat of the day behind the pillar. Bruce and I made our way up to check on Aphrodite and she was doing just fine. To remind me, this newest person in her life, that goddesses are a force to be reckoned with she gave me a little tag on the finger during her exam. I can tell you that she is in grand shape indeed!! We left her to rest and relax in preparation for her rooftop release and headed back down into the street. Bruce then took off over to the Toronto Sheraton site while I remained at King with Zoey and Ann.
Grayor was flapping like mad throughout most of the day. We certainly anticipated a fledge but it would seem that the little burst of energy was spent by about 1pm and a nap was in order. Before settling down in the shade, Grayor spent a few minutes amused at his own reflection in the dome cover of the camera. It was hilarious. Both adults flew in with a tidbit for lunch at around 2pm but nothing really significant.
Now that the two ledge potatoes were all settled, we set out on a search of the area for Tristen. His first flight took him down onto the rooftop of 20 Toronto St. where he remained and we were hoping for a looksee at him today. The heat was sooooo oppressive down in the core of the city that he must of found a cool, shady place to hang out. We walked for several hours with no look whatsoever. Both Erin and Windwhistler seem to know where he is and we believe he is still on a higher elevation in the Toronto St corridor. The parents didn’t help a great deal as they were not readily supplying food on such a hot day. Finally we decided that our perch on Court St was the best option for a view and so there we remained for the rest of the afternoon. At around 3pm, Grayor woke up and began another flap-fest-o-rama that tuckered us out just watching. He certainly will fledge very soon if not tomorrow. Windwhistler at this point made a visit to the highest level of 20 Toronto St and Erin flew over to land on 1 Toronto. Both were giving us indications that they had Tristen in their sights. By 6pm, Bruce had returned after completing his second rescue of the day at Toronto Sheraton and “sent me packing” back to Etobicoke Sun Life. Bruce and Marion stayed on to close the watch and release miss Aphrodite to the roof of the nest building where she gave Marion the goddess glare before taking up position in the southeast corner of the rooftop. Come dawn she will be looking for ( and screaming for ) some attention from mom and dad and feeling rather triumphant with her return. We are all truly grateful we could help.
More pictures to come once I have a chance to go through them all!!!
Posted on June 11, 2012 12:24 am
June 10, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
This aftenoon when I arrived we had only been seeing 3 juvies through the webcam. Thinking it was lying down in the back, I checked the ledge numerous times and still only 3. Scanned the area roof tops and could not see any indication of a fledge. Rhea Mae and Tiago are really liking the new glass Shandra-La Condo tower located at University Avenue and Adelaide St. Bruce arrived a little later to assist me in the search.
At 4p.m. we were seeing the adults flying north of the Sheraton over Osgoode Hall. Food transfer was done mid air and delivered to the nest ledge. The adults continued there low flights over the Opera House. I then saw an adult sitting on the south corner of the DBRS building. At 4:30p.m. Bruce found Marlee in the court yard garden behind the Hilton Hotel. Bruce picked him and we placed him in the carrier and took him to a cool , quiet area for a rest. He appeared in good condition. He was placed back on the ledge at 7:00p.m. by Marion. Another food drop to the ledge at 7:40p.m. and all remained quiet for the remainder of the night. A little flapping, and a lot of looking out the nest ledge. At dark, one adult on the north side of 130 Adelaide St. tower.
Posted on June 10, 2012 10:44 pm
June 10, 2012 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
Morning Shift: Arriving at 7:15am, I found mom on Shangri-La.
Ten minutes later, all four chicks were on the nest ledge. There
was very little activity and flapping. They still appear to have
some white on them. With nothing happening, I went over to King
St. at 10am to see if they needed help with their second fledge. I
returned around 11am and had only one chick visible. Later, three
could be seen. Mom flew by the nest ledge in a large loop, likely
trying to get one of them to fledge. I left at noon but tracked
their activity on the webcam. At 3:30pm I had two on the nest
ledge with a possible two lying down on the box camera.
Posted on June 10, 2012 3:36 pm
June 09, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
June 9th - 2012
As the oldest juvenile reaches 41 days old today, its still pretty quiet, in that none of the hatchlings have actually taken their first flights. One of the juveniles has learned to jump from the nest box landing platform to the windowsills and back to the nest box landing platform, but given that there was no flight associated with the move, we can’t exactly say it has fledged. He’s cheating!
The resident adult female continues to deal with an injury to her leg, (one that appears to be a foot or toe injury), but seems to have a renewed sense of energy today from what we’re seeing, based on her behaviour of the last week.
She was successful in several hunts in which she both killed pigeons and was able to bring them up to the nest box and feed the kids. While the toe on her right foot still seems extended / dislocated and unable to retract and close it, she is still roosting fine. We did not see her laying down at all today.
Dad is very much involved in catching food, feeding the hatchlings and defending the territory as was quite apparent throughout the days watch.
By 10:00pm, all was well, no fledge, and both parents continued to alarm call and stoop something in the darkness at something under the Skyway bridge further down from the canal.
We never did see what had the adults all upset.
Stay tuned……
Posted on June 10, 2012 11:31 am
June 10, 2012 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
I just talked to Dennis on the phone and everything is going great, Viper and Eddy are both in the same spot as the other did when they wanted to get altitude, they are near the steps to walk, jump up the steps so they can see the roof and then hopefully know that this is where the others were when they started to fly around and have fun. As of right now we have lots of Volunteers down there and of course everyone is very excited to see that all four chicks are no longer on the nesting site. Dennis and I are so thankful to have the nest tray because we both believe that is what made such a big difference in the chicks this year so again we Thank Mark and Marion for their support with getting us that tray. We will keep you updated.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators CPF
Posted on June 10, 2012 9:45 am
June 10, 2012 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Yesterday morning, one of our Watchers, Vicki phoned us as we were on our way to the Bridge to tell us that Twitter had landed on the street then flew from there to a fence post, no problems in the flying. Then she spent most of the day resting on the right side of the Abutment. Later on in the evening Twitter and General Brock were flying around with ease. Both Viper and Eddy were still in the nest box getting fed. All four of them can be heard when it’s feeding time. It’s fun to see the people that are walking by that are looking up to see what is going on. A lot of them do stop and ask questions and of course Dennis is very happy to tell everyone what we are doing and then we get more Volunteers.
This morning we got a phone call telling us that Viper had fledged on was on the ground in the park across the street and then in a few minutes another call to say that Eddy had fledged and was on the ground as well. Dennis jumped on his motorcycle and drove down to see what was going on. Both of them were fine. Please stay tune as I get more updates I will report them.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators CPF
Posted on June 10, 2012 9:31 am
