June 21, 2013 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
June 21st - 2013
Karen von Knobloch observed: “…Arnie and Big Al ‘duking’ it out at 2 different times during my 2 1/2 hour watch yesterday between 11:15 am and 2 pm. At one point all 5 peregrines were around and I think even one of the young ones may have been at the Sun Life roof just below the nest box along the flashing. Caster was sitting on top of the nest box at the time. I think it was one of the kiddies as it was flapping around a bit and seemed a little unsure of itself.“
Quiet afternoon at the nest - Michael Hilborn reported: “I went over to the nest site on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. where all was quiet. At first I saw nothing but then spotted Miss Fran poking her head over the roof of the Kings Towers. None of the others were in sight. A few minutes later, she took off and made the short flight to the top of the tower over the nest drum and sat there, keening softly. She remained there for the next 30 minutes until I left. A few minutes later when I was out of sight of the tower, I heard a great deal of activity. Apparently one of the other birds had returned. There may have been a food delivery or perhaps she was just glad to see someone.”
In the evening, Debbie, Owen, Karen, Lisa, and Steve observed Statler with all 3 kids.
Posted on June 21, 2013 9:19 pm
June 21, 2013 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
Day 7 - morning shift.
I started out checking the Dominion of Canada General Insurance
building where the chick was last seen yesterday evening. Nothing
was visible so I decided to do a ground search south of the Hilton.
When I got there I could hear a chick vocalising. Completing the
ground search with no results, I went up to Sheraton 43 and saw a
chick on 150 York with both parents beside it. Then I looked for
the two missing chicks and when I looked back to 150 York, the chick
and an adult had left. One adult remained. An hour or so later,
the chick was back on 150 York twice. Searches for the missing ones
did not turn anything up.
Linda and Paul arrived before lunch and Linda spotted the chick on
200 University. Unfortunately we couldn’t see the tape for further
identification.
Posted on June 21, 2013 3:01 pm
June 20, 2013 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
We arrived this morning to find Ramjet just where we left him up on the ledge beside the nest still sleeping and the girls still on the nest.
Not much action in the morning all until 12:52 when Stormin alarm calling flew over the old bus bays then west over Duplex Ave– three Turkey Vultures flying high over Rio-Can, Canada Square and south, Mom sitting just above the nest watched and let him dispatch them out of the area.
5:03 Haven took a small bird to the nest ledge, babies came toward her nearly pushing her off the ledge so she released the bird and much to our surprise it flew off both Haven and Stormin gave chase but it escaped I expect she is trying to bring injured food to let he babies know that their food starts live and get them to do the final kill themselves.
She is weening them now so when she does feed it’s every bird for themselves and one of them grabs the food and does not want to share until they have had their fill.
6:59 Haven chased a gull that came too close to the nest back and forth, climbed high and dived on it over Y/E intersection but missed – gull yelling at every dive on it – eventually it left.
7:50 Haven and Ramjet flew from over the Y/E intersection. Haven landed on wall north of nest and RJ flew onwards and was not able to target the top and clutched onto the cement wall, then flew down, up and around, back to the level below the nest on ne corner of Canada Square and walked back to the NW corner near *mom* there he stayed until the close of the watch.
No flight at all from the girls so it’s Hurry up and wait!
Lyn
Posted on June 21, 2013 7:27 am
June 20, 2013 - International, National and Local News
Mark Nash Reports:
July 20th - 2013
While I have not been able to get down to the ICICI nest site fledge watch, both Cathy and Irma have been doing a great job on the fledge watch!
The little male hatchling that was named “Lucky” is flying like superman!! While we had suspected that he had already taken flight days ago, we had not been able to prove it, as trying to get a decent view of either of the hatchlings given their upper roof top position has been more than a challenge from our ground level position. Cathy and Irma report that this little guy has clearly mastered flight, and already now aggressively chasing his parents around in the air from building to building and driving them NUTS!!
His younger sister on the other hand, is still several days behind him and has not yet fledged and taken her first flights. Both parents are attending the two young hatchlings and it would appear that she is still not ready to take her first flight,,,. But she is very close!!!
Stay tuned……… far more to come!
Posted on June 21, 2013 7:00 am
June 20, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 20th -2013
Both Luna and Carina have fledged and holding their altitude!!
While I would love to give everyone a detailed account and blow by blow explanation of todays happenings, I must admit, even I couldn’t get it all in without writing a small book, but with 16 hours a day in the streets on the fledge watch, there is simply not enough hours in the day, and no time to sit around indoors on the computer.
I can only describe the days events today as nothing short of spectacular! The two young fledglings have clearly demonstrated their new found ability to spread their wings and take flight! Both Luna and Carina are both now actually flying, and more importantly, holding their altitude and looking like real flighted birds!!!
While they are far from looking like their parents with regards to having any real skill in their flights, they are learning very quickly indeed. Quest and Kendal have both been keeping a very close eye on the two girls as they have flown around from building to building while investigating their new found world, which is now being viewed by the fledglings in 3D as opposed to the 2D world that they were stuck in while a captive audience on the nest ledge.
Clearly, the young fledgling have become real “birds”!
While their landings are another story, (Oh my goodness, some real bumps and grinds), the two young fledglings are at little risk of coming to the ground and needing to be rescued at this point. this is in no way to suggest that they still can’t get into trouble and need our assistance as we have long since learned over the past 17 years while on the fledge watches, they are at least now capable of some sustained flight and able to escape some perceived dangers by simply flying away.
There were several tender moments observed today between Quest and the two girls as she fed each of them several times throughout the day - “beak to beak” on various elevations on several of the office building roof tops and ledges. Kendal is doing a great job in keeping the food coming in and is keeping his distance from his two daughters while staying out of Quests way as she does most all of the real baby sitting.
Remembering that his time will come once the fledglings have become more stable in their flight, Kendal will be one that will do the larger percentage of the detailed flight training with the kids, and Quest will take a back seat during much of this process.
A huge thank you to all that have joined us on the watch, as even I must admit, the 16 hour days are starting to take their toll on my ability to keep both of the fledglings in my view, especially now that they are both so mobile. If I only had wings myself!!
Sadly, the third fledgling named Kimani has still not surfaced and has not been found. We can only hope she will reappear.
Stay tuned……….. more to come.
Picture supplied by Cathy Kerr of Quest and Luna taken during one of the feedings today.
Great shot!!
Posted on June 21, 2013 6:34 am
June 18, 2013 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
Tony arrived at the watch at 5:45 a.m. and all 3 fledglings were on the aerial on Kings Tower’s and Statler was on the CTV tower. Between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. Miss Fran and Big Al went for a short flight but unfortunately a tree beside the tower got in Frannie’s way. She managed to grab on to a branch and hung on. A few minutes after Rudy arrived at the base of the tower a juvenile black squirrel became very curious and eventually got brave enough to try to mug Fran. The squirrel jumped on Fran and both tumbled down a few feet. The squirrel baled and Fran grabbed a branch on the way down but finally dropped to the ground. Tony and Rudy rushed to Miss Fran’s rescue but before they could towel her she took off from the ground and flew across the street to the hospital and landed on one of the lower roofs! She was up there for about 15 minutes, moving along the edge. After a bit of mobbing by robins she eventually dropped to the ground again, where Rudy finally cornered her, secured her in the towel and contained her. She was rehydrated and examined for any injuries and appeared to be ok, so a release was arranged between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. on top of Grand River Hospital, 850 King St. rooftop. In the a.m. while Fran was chilling out waiting to be released there were more close encounters with an osprey while volunteers watched over the other four falcons.
The GRH public relations department, the CTV media, and many dedicated fledge watch volunteers were present for Miss Fran’s release. Kellie S. reported, that after Rudy gave Fran another good check (and received a few chomps for his trouble), Miss Fran was taken to the rooftop and was released. After a few moments, Miss Fran took off! She landed clumsily on top of Kitchener Collegiate Institute and then, with much flapping she gained the necessary altitude and returned way up high on the CTV tower, well above the drum!!!
Here’s the link to the CTV story:
http://kitchener.ctvnews.c/falcon-chick-returned-to-family-above-ctv-kitchener-after-close-call-with-squirrel-1.1331439
Meanwhile, Arnie appeared to be missing! He appeared from the direction of the GRH and flew to the tower between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Big Al, who had been perched on the small aerial just southwest of the CTV tower, also made his way to the main CTV tower. All the fledglings were on the same level, perched on the central set of railings around the top of tower. Statler arrived and delivered a prepared food package directly to Miss Fran. She mantled the food and didn’t allow her brothers near, despite their crying. Frannie didn’t really move too much after she had eaten.
Statler casually flew off the tower and was quickly pursued by one of the boys! She circled around and quickly turned the tables on him! Now she was pursuing him, and being a more experienced flier, quickly caught up and nudged him mid-air with her shoulder. She over-flew him and seemed to be encouraging him to fly after her, but the boy ran out of steam and headed for GRH. Statler headed southwest and out of sight.
The two boys ended up together on the drum of the short aerial. Caster came in with a small food package for them which they fought over. Eventually, the fight became airborne and the food was dropped. They circled over it but did not retrieve it. Later on, the two boys played a few chase games with each other. It was more ‘evenly matched’ than when they played with Statler earlier. Instead of gently nudging each other, they had their talons out and were ready to see what they could do with these weapons! Later, one of the boys gained some altitude and landed on the highest point of the King’s Towers, without actually landing on the antenna. Statler was sitting about half-way up the antenna. Minutes later, the other boy flew out, gained some altitude and landed above Statler on the same antenna! He took off a few more times and tested some even higher perches, but eventually he landed back beside his brother on the lower level. By the time the watch was over, all the fledglings were settled in for the night. The adults weren’t around but were probably not too far away. (Thank you Kellie for super play-by-play details!)
A very exciting day for our falcon family and especially Miss Fran!!!
Posted on June 21, 2013 1:19 am
June 20, 2013 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
After so many hours of not seeing the juveniles, I finally spotted one, on the Opera House. I was unable to get the band colour to confirm who it was.
7.p.m. Rhea Mae and Tiago were circling over the area of University and Queen . Lots of trees at Osgoode Hall, which is one area that was checked earlier. The adults were followed as Tiago was low. A short walk down York Street and something caught my eye and I looked over my shoulder to see a juvie on the University side of the Opera House. Lots of flapping and running. A change of position and the staff from the Hilton Hotel told me to look up. (they were watching an adult cleaning prey on the roof edge above me ) It was snowing feathers, so much that people walking on the street noticed and looked up. The laneway looked like it had snowed.
I thought the juvie would make an attempted to take off and fly to the adult, but NO, the juvie took off in the opposite direction and out of sight. The adult brought food to where the juvenile was, and proceeded to chow down on the fresh food.
A short look around the area and the juvenile was seen on the upper roof level of another building on the opposite corner. This is where this one will spent the night. It looked like it was settling in. At night fall the other two kids were not seen and both Rhea Mae and Tiago had their eyes on the one that was spotted.
Let’s hope that this new activity and closer to the nest site will bring them out of hiding.
Posted on June 20, 2013 11:11 pm
- All Reports
Zoe Berger Reports:
Cosmina stayed where she had been released overnight and through to sometime between 8:30-9:00 or so this morning. The last sighting/sound from her was then. Between Paul, Neil, Linda and I we looked and looked with no success. The parents stayed close to the nest building all day with the father making several quick trips out and back. I left a bit after 4 and Anastasia was still flapping a lot on the ledge. Hopefully her sister will materialize.
Posted on June 20, 2013 7:50 pm
June 20, 2013 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
June 20th - 2013
In the last few days there were many sightings of the young falcon family, sometimes altogether on the Kings Towers, often on the aerial or the roof edge of the apartment building, on the CTV tower and also on the nest box on Union Street. Venturing further out, 3 were spotted on this morning very high in the sky over Uptown Waterloo.
Drama on Pine Street…By Michael Hilborn
After an interesting morning, I returned to the site just before 3 p.m. to see if anything had developed.
As I came out of the cemetery, I heard quite a commotion from near the tower. I quickened my pace and as I came up Pine Street, I noticed one of the adults make a food drop. Walking even faster and fumbling for my camera, I witnessed one of the youngsters drop what appeared to be a pigeon near the corner of Pine and King streets.
As I approached, a rather distraught lady said to me, “Are you one of the falcon people?” When I confirmed I was she said, “Come quickly! One of the birds is on the ground and another is attacking it. I nearly had a heart attack.” I had my doubts, but nevertheless, I hustled up to the corner and sure enough, there was one of the youngsters mantling something. As more passersby gathered, the bird abandoned the kill and flew to the roof of the adjacent building—846 King St.
Sure enough, it was a pigeon, or what was left of it. The head had been neatly severed at the thorax and the tail feathers were neatly plucked. After checking for leg bands (there were none) I reassured the bystanders it was merely a pigeon and then went to the roof of the parking garage at GRH.
I noticed the birds (particularly the youngsters) were still interested in the package, which was lying on the first step of the building right at the sidewalk. I then decided to remove it for the safety of the youngsters because of the risk from traffic and after photographing it, I tossed it onto the roof of the stairwell on the parking garage where it would be invisible to the public but in clear view of the birds. I entertained the hope if I backed off a bit they might come and get it—affording me a fantastic photo op. Alas that did not transpire.
At one point, one of the adults (I think it was Statler) flew over us at a fairly low altitude, making a great racket before retiring to her customary post on the antenna on the Kings Towers. We waited for a while, but by 5 p.m., there was no more activity so we both left. Hopefully, the falcons retrieved their meal from the roof while no one was there.
Posted on June 20, 2013 7:17 pm
June 16, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Our three fledglings Hercules, Gwenis and Tecumseh are flying high. We thank the number of volunteers who helped to keep them safe. A few of them are shown in the attached photo. With this photo we also want to thank Great Lakes Safety Products Inc for keeping us safe by supplying us with safety cones and vest for traffic control.
Thanks to all of you for a safe fledging for all!
Posted on June 20, 2013 5:49 pm
