Just observed another mating on the centre tower corner when I was out for a quick check. Jack returned to the nest box chupping while O’connor stayed on the centre tower.
This pair has been a conundrum to follow as they really have struggled to decide which side of the highway they intend to nest on. Will it be the William Osler Hospital site or the Hilton Garden Inn. While Chessie will have the final say in this argument, Casper continues to try and convince her that his site at Viscount Road is the best. Today the pair were at the William Osler Hospital and it looks like Chessie’s wish to remain here is becoming clear to young Casper. I pulled in and located Casper on the southeast corner of the nest ledge whining. Chessie was obviously in his view but I could not readily see her yet. I checked in with security and then made my way back outside to find that Casper had moved along the ledge and was now just to the left of the nest tray. He sat vocalizing for a few minutes and then was off like a shot towards the tower. He came within inches of mating with Chessie, who I could now see hiding amongst the grid work, but turned away at the last second. Back to the nest ledge he went and this time headed straight for the nest tray. In behind the eastern “H” I could hear Casper chupping loudly but Chessie was not to be moved. She was sitting in a patch of sun and preening away. Casper came out of the nest tray onto the ledge and looked at her as if to say, “Well… …come see what I’ve built you!!”. He has been definately working on the scrape in the tray and was eager to show her his hard work. Still, she was not to be moved. It was a good 30 minutes before she took off from the tower and was now doing tandem flights above my head with Casper that were so awe inspiring I totally forgot about my camera!! The pair took off to the north together and were now gone from my sight. It looks as though the pair are closer to making that all important choice on nest location and it would appear that the William Osler site is where they will stay.
I stopped by the Mississauga Executive Centre nest site yesterday to check in on Sante and Cass. When I arrived, not a bird in sight. I drove around to the back of MEC 3 and found the two of them under the Dejardins sign discussing spring nesting. Before I could stop the car, the two were in the air like a shot; Sante landing on the nest box platform and chupping his wee heart out while Cass flew around to the north side of the nest building. Both maintained there positions for the next hour when suddenly Sante took flight over to MEC 2. He was looking for his girl!! He stayed on MEC 2 and preened the afternoon away sporting another “all to famous” enormous crop that looked like it could tip him over at any moment. Cass stayed put on the north side of the nest building until something caught her eye and she was off on a hunt to the north. Sante was quick to follow and the pair disappeared from sight. Spring is in the air for this pair as well!! On my way north on Hurontario, I could see Cass and Sante in tandem flight. I pulled over just north of the 403 as I spotted a little Sharp Shinned hawk on a light standard having a YIKES moment. Cass and Sante flew low over this little one and the SSH froze in position. The hawk was sure happy when the pair continued to the northwest and out of sight!!
12:55 on the corner of the West Tower!! In spite of the fact it is minus 16c with the wind chill, things are heating up here in Etobicoke!
February 15th 2013 Good news was received this morning from Donna in that both Quest and Kendal were observed back in the nest box again this morning. While a short visit, it appears that the love birds are still very much around and hanging close to the nest box. While the weather continues to be colder and there is plenty of snow events predicted in the long range forecast, there appears to be an abundance of renewed activity that is being observed at most of our southern Ontario urban nest sites. Toronto, Scarborough, Don Mills, Etobicoke, Mississauga, North York, Burlington and Brampton are all reporting seeing their peregrines active on either the area buildings and/or on nest ledges themselves. Stay tuned……..
Tuesday Feb. 12th - 2013
A huge thank you to Andrew for sending in this photo of a peregrine falcon that he caught on camera just after the lunch hour enjoying a freshly caught pigeon.
The photo was taken on Tuesday 12th Feb. 2013 just after 1.00pm in the car park of the mall at the intersection of Innes Rd and Blair Rd (just outside the Sushi Kan restaurant).
I saw it land having just caught it’s lunch, but did not see it take off again so unfortunately don’t know which direction it flew. I’m in that area quite often so I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled, it’s an impressive sight, that’s for sure!
Enjoy
Regards
Andrew
February 14th - 2013
A quick view of the MEC web camera this morning caught one of the resident peregrines in the nest box today doing some spring maintenance and bowl scraping. We’re not quite sure “who” was actually in the next box this morning, but there is obviously activity and interest!
Stay tuned…….
As any tiercel with two mates will tell you, you have to start early if you want to stay on track. True to form and almost to the same date that I first started observing courtship behaviours last year - today Jack was in fine form.
First he caught a nice fat pigeon for her to dine on. It was a big one too and he was flying quite low due to it’s weight - it just took my breath away to see him so close above me! He flew all the way down the road with O’connor cheering him on excitedly and flying after him..in case he dropped it no doubt 
He landed on the glass condos down the street - which is not his usual place but given the size of the prey I’m thinking he needed the runway to gain altitude. He then proceeded to prepare it and after indulging a bit himself brought it over to the center tower for O’connor to dine on.
I also witnessed some fancy flying earlier and both were in the nest box chit chatting at one point. Let’s hope for a trouble free courtship this year!
Yesterday, February 5th, Bill visited the Lift Bridge. As he walked towards the Pier from the Beach Parking Lot, Mom was sitting on the very bottom beam of the Hamilton Hydro Tower. She was looking directly down at him chirping. I guess she was sitting there digesting lunch as her crop was full.
Today, February 6th, we dropped by again. It was cool -6 degrees, but both were visible sunning themselves. Dad was mostly sitting on the old nest ledge and Mom was sitting on the corner of the nest box. They both took to the air, getting the pigeons up and moving. When they returned, Mom went to the nest box and Dad followed mating with her. Spring is in the air at the Lift Bridge!
O’connor is currently basking in the sunshine on her favorite perch and Jack is busy preparing breakfast on ledge 2. That has pretty much been the routine the past few weeks with these two.
It’s been pretty calm and peaceful lately, let’s hope it stays that way!