Solar Has a Big Day
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