June 23, 2012 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
CPF Postmaster Reports:
June 23rd - 2012
For the most parts of the early day it was a very boring day on the watch with very little activity as all three of the hatchlings were very quiet and not active, and both adult parents we’re only visible a couple to times for the better part of the morning and afternoon. Only one feeding at 10:30am!
By late afternoon, there was a little activity until both resident adults finally arrived back on the scene and that’s when little Paul made his first two flights! After working his way down closer to the street level from one elevation to another, he finally ended up on the lowest elevation on the west side of the building just above ground level, but at no time did he actually take flight to get there. He simply fluttered straight down to each level from the one above like a snowflake!
He spent most of the day running back and forth across this elevation, flapping in spirts from one end to the other with lots of rest stops in between. Finally he ran flapping into the head winds and got lift off, flying to the south, then around the building and reappearing on the north side of the building, eventually ending up on coming around to the same west elevation and after a face plant into the windows, he drifted down and landed on the very same elevation on the west side where he had earlier taken off from. He did this twice! Two complete revolutions around the building, (with no real increase in altitude), but good strong flights around the entire building never the less. There is stayed until later in the evening when things got really busy.
Little Eagan ended up pulling off a similar “snowflaking” manoeuver by leaving the nest ledge and fluttering down to a lover elevation on the west side of the building,, as he repeated his brothers more and never actually flew into the air. He simply just fluttered down to the next level down like a snowflake falling from the sky. Ok, this is really getting his is bazaar!!
I’m not sure this is really a fledge as we have come to know it! Little Albus (who was rescued and retrieved from the ground level by Kathy and released back to the upper most roof level yesterday, has now got himself back to the actual nest ledge. Sadly, I missed this event at some point throughout the day while I was focussed on the other two siblings activities, but at no point was he observed in any kind of flight to pull this manoeuver off!! This is beginning to look like a game of Tetris!!
As the later evening unfolded, two of the hatchlings (Paul and Albus) exploded into the air with some incredible flights, both gaining altitude - (with little Paul suddenly performing like SUPERMAN). On two occasions he flew up to the highest peak of the Yellow Pages building as he chased his mother for food, eventually taking it from her and eating it on the highest elevation at the peak of the Yellow Pages building!! Both he and Albus made several very good flights to with altitude as they on chased their parents around for food.
On one occasion little Paul flew over to the building that has been nic-named the “Kitchen”, where the adults are often seen prepping the daily catch before they bring it over the Yellow Pages building to feed the hatchlings. This is also a regular hang out and roosting spot of the resident adult male.
Oh my goodness, what a show when Linn the resident adult female, Paul and Albus the fledglings and the resident adult Reuben all entered into the mix!! By the end of the days fledge watch, both of the young peregrines, Paul and Albus had made several great flights, gained altitude exceeding the height of the Yellow Pages building itself and were nothing short of amazing given that they seemed unable to even take a decent flight all day long! All three of the young peregrines were back in the nest building by darkness safe and sound.
Hmmmm, a little hungry are we??
PS: There were LOTS of photos taken by all during the evening part of the fledge watch throughout this frenzy of flights, but its going to take me a while get them , then to downsize them and get and be able to get them posted.
Stay tuned for more to come…..
Posted on June 24, 2012 12:20 pm
June 22, 2012 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
CPF Postmaster Reports:
June 22 - 2012 PM Watch repoer:
Yellow Pages - Friday June 22, 2012 early evening report:
We arrived at the Yellowpage site around 6:45pm for our first ever fledge watch on Linn and Reuben’s kids.
Upon arrival, Mark let us know that little Albus had already been rescued earlier during the day by Kathy. Panagiotis (little Paul) was on one of the mid level ledge facing west and baby Eagan was in the nest ledge.
In the next few hours, little Paul ran along back and forth full length of the ledge a few times, flapping his wings practising. Seems frustrating at some point when his brother in the nest box was getting fed a little bit of food earlier.
At around 8:30, there were some attempt by the adult to hunt but came back empty talons. The kids stayed in the same position as earlier in the evening for the night.
The weather was much cooler Friday after the downpour on Thursday and it was very comfortable and even windy/cold.
Overall the watch was an amazing experience. Mark and Tracy were very kind to allowed us to see and explain in details the release of Albus back onto the ledge.
Winnie & Alan
Posted on June 24, 2012 4:20 am
June 22, 2012 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Postmaster Reports:
June 22nd - 2012Hey Mark!
I have been by a few times this week, before and after work and always missed them! But went last night and saw the whole family! I first saw Kira then Mom, who Kira went after–on the building(240) and then she actually chased her!! Was lovely to see. Soon the siblings were there and hung out at 220 and Kira joined them. I got a few pics. Dad flew by late, with no food. Last I saw them, Blaze was in Mom’s favorite spot on nest building, and the girls were on the ledges at 240, along with Mom. Great to see them flying so well, tho Blaze’s landings were a little wonky! They really are beautiful.
Have a great weekend.
Cathy Karr
Posted on June 24, 2012 4:03 am
June 22, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Mark Nash Reports:
June 23 - 2012
During the afternoon while on the Scarborough Yellow pages fledge watch, I received a call from a representative of St. Mary’s Cement in Bowmanville where I was told the a peregrine had become trapped in the lower basement section of one of the buildings on the property and asked if we could help. So leaving the fledge watch in Kathy’s hands, I proceeded to Bowmanville Ontario.
I called Mark Heaton at the OMNR to advice him of him of the situation and it was decided that if it was in fact a peregrine, (and only if I was able to confirm that it was a fledgling produced at this site), I would return to Toronto with the bird if it was uninjured and safe to do so, so it could be either treated and/or banded and returned to it parents. Upon arrival in St. Mary’s cement in Bowmanville, I met with company representatives and then taken out to where the bird was located.
A very young female peregrine falcon still with some white down was in fact identified, rescued / retrieved, examined for injuries and was then placed in the rescue carrier without incident.
With no apparent injuries, the feisty young fledgling was safely taken back to my vehicle for transport. The staff at St. Mary’s were able to spend some time with me doing walk around in an effort find a possible nest site.
Moments into my search, I was able to locate and identify the resident adult female peregrine falcon and an active nest with at least one other hatchling in the eyrie on one of the buildings on the property. Very satisfied with the find, I returned to Toronto with the fledgling so it could be banded by MNR and returned to its nest.
Mean while, back to the Scarborough Yellow Pages nest site, where I was able to release the young fledgling Albus back to the nest building rooftop and his parents without incident.
Stay tuned…….
Posted on June 24, 2012 3:39 am
June 22, 2012 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Mark Nash Reports:
June 22nd - 2012
The morning stated early again as usual and with the CPF fledge watch team in place as they settled in with far more seasonal temperatures and actually much cooler in comparison to the last three days when it was almost impossible to breath with high humidity and blistering hot sun. One of benefits of this location and fledge watch is all of the unobstructed open air around Yellow Pages building, where there are no other hi-rises to obstruct your view when a fledgling takes flight. On the down side, there is absolutely no where to escape the sun anywhere!
A recap of the days events had the second hatchling take its first flight. Little Albus - banded R over 43 struggled to hold his altitude as he flew around the north side of the building trying to grab onto parts of the wall after colliding with the window. Eventually he ended up doing what we call the “bat manouevre”, clinging on to the vertical portion of the wall approx. ten storeys up. Albus hung on as long as he could and finally let go falling another six floors down the wall until he finally gain some composure and fluttered to the ground around the east side of the building where he was scooped up by Kathy from the CPF fledge watch team.
Later on in the morning, I received a call from a representative of St. Mary’s Cement in Bowmanville where I was told the a peregrine had become trapped in the lower basement section of one of the buildings on the property and asked if we could help. So leaving the fledge watch in Kathy’s hands, I proceeded to Bowmanville Ontario.
I called Mark Heaton at the OMNR to advice him of him of the situation and it was decided that if it was in fact a peregrine, (and only if I was able to confirm that it was a fledgling produced at this site), I would return to Toronto with the bird if it was uninjured and safe to do so, so it could be either treated and/or banded and returned to it parents. Upon arrival in St. Mary’s cement in Bowmanville, I met with company representatives and then taken out to where the bird was located.
A very young female peregrine falcon still with some white down was in fact identified, rescued / retrieved, examined for injuries and was then placed in the rescue carrier without incident.
With no apparent injuries, the feisty young fledgling was safely taken back to my vehicle for transport. The staff at St. Mary’s were able to spend some time with me doing walk around in an effort find a possible nest site.
Moments into my search, I was able to locate and identify the resident adult female peregrine falcon and an active nest with at least one other hatchling in the eyrie on one of the buildings on the property. Very satisfied with the find, I returned to Toronto with the fledgling so it could be banded by MNR and returned to its nest.
Mean while, back to the Scarborough Yellow Pages nest site, I was able to release the young fledgling Albus back to the nest building rooftop and his parents without incident.
Stay tuned…….
Posted on June 24, 2012 12:00 am
June 22, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Our watches generally begin with little activity and we sit under a handy curb side tree and chat whilst observing!
Today was different. Little did we know HOW different.
Last night when we left, the last eyas was still on the level below the nest ledge. This morning the unthinkable had happened and she had fledged without anyone witnessing it! Fortunately she was where we could see her. So when I arrived at 7:55 I sat in front of 53 Division for a while, as the sun was behind the tall condo and although I was not in shade I found the shade from a utility pole very useful, albeit a bit skinny! As the sun moved it warmed up and I then decided to change my vantage point to the corner opposite the one on which I was standing and found great relief in the shade.
As I was unsure of whether I would need to charge after the bird or not I did not unpack or set up anything.
Maggie and Lance, dedicated *peregrine folks*, were up early and watching as well. Lance pointed out Haven who was not on the railing under the nest when I arrived. When they left to continue their day I was left to watch this little mite. Solar kept me amused as she really did not know what to do with herself and the whole new world which was now opened up to her. She looked around and then looked up at her mom.
As she was on the black building there was plenty of room to explore but she stuck to the north side. Moving from the extreme western end of the building she walk/hopped along the northern edge to four areas in and then back. Once back in the original spot she stretched and looked for Haven, checked out the buildings around her - now much closer - and eventually decided a nap was in order. So she settled down and I feel sure she was fast asleep.
A pigeon was flying its normal flip flop flight through the old TTC bus bay area and it, too, decided a rest was in order and so it swooped up to the nearest ledge and came eye to eye with a peregrine which was jolted awake!! YIKES !!!!! What to do??? Both birds thought on the wing and the pigeon made a very messy recovery and flew over Solar, around behind her and came zipping back and down into the bus bay area. Solar stood up and followed the direction of the pigeon but made no effort to chase it. I could feel MY heart pounding from the surprise of the encounter so I don’t know what Solar’s was doing. Anyway as the pigeon flew, turned and dived into the parking lot so Solar’s gaze was on it. Then she looked up at Haven as if to say *what was that???* After that she was up and down for a nap and probably had nightmares.
Solar then began preparing for flight by exercising her wings, flapping and walking along the edge of the roof. She finally flew and brushed a window, fluttered and lost height. She really did not have a lot to begin with. Her flight was too short for Haven to effectively guide her and Solar landed on the Bank of Montreal roof which is at the fourth floor level of Canada Square. Haven was back on the balcony rail but could see the fledgling. After a short while Solar began the epic journey back to the centre of her world, the one she knew from the nest. She walked on the fourth floor balcony wall for a way then stopped. Then she hopped down and hopped back up to the wall and she was on the move again. Ages later she found herself in a stand-off with two pigeons, Solar was on one side of a slab of concrete wall and the pigeons on the other. They stared at one another. The pigeons were frozen to the spot. I could just imagine the one saying to the other * you go first* and the reply being * no you go, you fly much faster than I*. The stand-off was broken when a third pigeon arrived on the scene beyond Solar. The two pigeons then flew.
There was more messing around on and off the wall until she finally found herself face-to-face with herself in the same spot Haven had found herself yesterday. Solar put her head down and waddled up to the black wall and pecked at it and my word, the image did not disappear!!! Solar finally came down back to the wall level and had a snooze. There was more jumping down to the balcony floor and up to the wall. She really was getting the hang of it. I think Haven was enticed away by Stormin during one of Solar`s snoozes.
By this time Marion and I had migrated to the shade of the tree. Solar decided it was time to *solo* and she flew straight down the old bus bay ramp towards Duplex avenue. She was low and just cleared the gate, turned north, flew low over the bus bays, over the bank building and was gone. So was Marion, in hot pursuit. Hot in more ways than one as the day was hotter than expected. We thought we located her and so we moved all the gear to the front of 53 Division. By the time we arrived, there was no Solar so off Marion went again. Marion spotted a peregrine on top of the Tim Horton`s on Yonge and radioed for me to bring the stuff as there was shade and room from which to view. By the time I arrived and Marion was telling me where she had last seen Solar one of Paragon Security`s employees spotted us and told us where to find her. Solar was taking lots of lengthy flights BUT not high ones. I guess because Haven was not around to *push* her up she just did not manage it.
Anyway Solar was in the second floor of the parking lot behind 2180 Yonge. I stayed behind (to catch my breath and) to watch in case there was mistaken identity. I eventually radioed Marion and reported a whole flock of pigeons landing on the spot I was watching and asked if she wanted me to join her and the Security chap. He was so helpful and radioed to the security desk at 2180 to expect me and give me directions to join them. I did and we came up empty handed on the P2 level so Marion suggested that we needed to go to the top floor of the parking lot to continue the search. Up we went. Marion went one way and I went the other. I looked over all the rails on the Berwick end and into some deep little inaccessible spots unless one fell into them and I came up empty handed. I wandered over to the one spot which we had not examined from the lower level and there was no sign of Solar. So I checked under the *cooling towers* and again produced nothing. This was past midday heat, going on for two pm. So it was hot and there was no shade!! There was one more spot to look and I was tempted to leave it but just KNEW if I did not check it that would be the first place Marion would ask about!!! So I staggered around the towers, looked over the railing at the floor below and there was no sign of Solar. My gaze then settled on the very end of a service platform for the towers and who should be sitting there but Solar. The fun was not over. Marion was going to attempt a rescue. She thought Solar might fly and someone had to see where she went so I trotted away and positioned myself whilst Marion literally inched her way towards Solar, who LET Marion approach. Just as Marion was about to drop the towel around her she flew. Phew ! Right back from where we had come and further too. So I trotted to the end of the lot again and could not see her until I moved to the very western end of the parking spot. Then I saw her sitting on the fence in the old TTC bus bay yard!!! Poor Marion walked all the way over to see her position and then went to the security desk in 2180 and asked for access to the yard and was escorted back up to the area whilst I watched Solar, willing her NOT to move.
Fortunately she didn`t and I eventually saw Marion`s feet approach her slowly, slowly along the fence. The little minx was just toying with us by this time! She let Marion get within inches of putting the towel around her and she flew. She was sooooo low by this time that she barely cleared the roof of the current TTC shelters. She landed on the tar in the middle of the driveway. A few choice words were muttered! I could not jump down. So while I waited for Marion to come around the block I chased off two people approaching Solar, who by this time had backed herself into a corner out of the way. I had also enlisted the help of the young lad who was working for DrainStar. Bless his heart he stood ready to stop buses at my direction. A bus did come but Solar was right in the corner and out of immediate danger so I said it was okay to let it in. Then Marion came belting down the road and made an attempt to corral Solar who simply ducked low and slipped out from under the towel INTO the TTC garage now in use for the buses.
Marion says Solar just flew/ran into the dark. Marion in full pursuit, stopped a bus in its tracks and then she carried on following this headstrong little peregrine who was now heading to the entrance to subway area. When Marion arrived about fifteen people were converging on the falcon and Marion, now totally ticked off with the peregrine and perhaps the people, yelled for no-one to touch the bird and to back away. When her authority was questioned Marion went into high gear and showed what her authority was. Pint sized little Marion was like a peregrine mom protecting her young!!!
She enlisted, (hmmmm is that the right word), the help of three people and asked them to help corral the peregrine. They did and Marion had yet another rescue under her belt. She called me and asked me to get the carrier with the help of security and we actually met Marion on our way to get the carrier.
Once we had the carrier we had to give the little falcon some water as she was tired and hot too. I had left my spray bottle at home so Marion simply took a drink of water and sprayed it into the mouth of the peregrine. Amazing as this was how Marion rehydrated Solar.
I was remiss in getting the names of all who helped us today and so I apologise for that lapse. The omission`s are mine!
Canadian Peregrine Foundation, Marion and Lyn appreciate the willing help of the following people:
The Paragon Security gentleman who helped us to the P2 level.
The Security desk at 2180 Yonge and all who assisted us along the way.
Neil Armstrong who, once again, was so helpful in having the AC turned on to cool down Solar.
Max of Paragon Security who has helped more than once.
The Paragon Security person who helped Marion get into the TTC yard.
Another gentleman from Paragon Security who also assisted us.
The helpful but un-named young lad from DrainStar who stood temporary guard and who could see Solar on the ground at the entrance to the current bus bay.
The three people whose help Marion enlisted inside the TTC station.
At the end of the day we sat outside 53 Division and Marion saw both Brisk and Simcoe. The high flyer was having fun with Stormin by buzzing him. Because of the height and the flying skill we think that was Simcoe but we could not see the tape colour.
What a day it was.
Lyn
Posted on June 23, 2012 8:57 am
June 23, 2012 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
It was a great flying evening for the four of the chicks Viper, General Brock, Twitter and Eddy. Today was the first time I witnessed the sight to see all four of them flying together around the Bridge. It was cool and windy but they did great in their flying skills. Mom and Dad were there to see the whole thing as well.
Gwen & Dennis Site co-ordinators CPF
Posted on June 23, 2012 2:02 am
June 22, 2012 - Stoney Creek
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Attached are some photos of Mom (Athena) and Dad (Craig).
Posted on June 22, 2012 4:00 pm
June 22, 2012 - Stoney Creek
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I have been busy with the Lift Bridge Watch and haven’t had a chance to check on Fruitland until this morning. We easily found both birds sitting side by side in the Communication Tower. There was a lot of noisy work going on outside of Taylor Steel and the birds were not paying one bit of attention. This pair are pretty amazing in that you nearly always see them together. There is no indication of another attempt at nesting. We will continue to monitor the site.
Posted on June 22, 2012 1:31 pm
May 26, 2012 - Stoney Creek
Sue McCreadie Reports:
We just came back from Fruitland and I don’t think we are done there yet. Bill and I ran into Barry this morning at the Lift Bridge and he told us he had been to Fruitland yesterday and one of the birds was in the drum.
Ummmm we thought, better take a drive down. When we arrived Athena was sitting in the Communications Tower and we couldn’t find Craig. A short time later Athena left the tower and went to the drum and we witnessed a shift change. Athena went in and Craig came out. They both took flight and both landed in the drum and there was a big racket (perhaps copulation???). Dad stayed in the drum and Mom landed in the Communications Tower, then they switched again. We went down the road and watched for a bit and saw what looked like Mom trying to lay an egg (I’m only guessing). Wings out and squatting down. They changed again and we watched as Dad was pulling at the lining of the drum, perhaps trying to make a scrape. (Again I’m only guessing.) When we left, both birds were in the Communications Tower.
I definitely think something is up again for this site.
By the way, there is a large portable communication tower fenced off in the parking lot. That is new since we were there earlier in the week.
We won’t be able to get back to the site until maybe Tuesday.
Posted on June 22, 2012 1:14 pm
