June 09, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Hercules came off the ledge this morning (Sunday June 9th). Vicki, Paul and Mike said he flew low along the church grounds and then managed to come back and land on the metal box next to the walk light. He came across the street into the grass and we coaxed into the fenced area under the nest. He’s able to get onto the lowest ledge but hasn’t been able to get to the next ledge.
Posted on June 10, 2013 11:10 am
June 10, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill just returned from the Lift Bridge and was happy to report that the kids are just tearing up the sky. Even though it was raining, the kids were loving it. Playing tag and trying to learn to talon touch with Mom and Dad. With 5 birds in the sky it was very difficult to determine who was who. One, assuming it was Sarah, was just watching the action from the roof of the Hamilton Tower.
Posted on June 10, 2013 11:04 am
May 31, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Thanks to the great reports from Dennis and Gwen on the progress of the young family of three! One of the young has already fledged and been rescued twice by the team in Windsor and so this post on the banding information is a little late to the party but nonetheless important.
Really only a week ago, three healthy juveniles were banded on May 31st at the Windsor Ambassador Bridge. Due to the local OMNR bander having retired, the first order of business was to try and arrange for another OMNR biologist from another district that has their permit to band come out and join us. We must thank Anne Yagi for stepping up to the plate who was joined by Catherine Jong, Species at Risk biologist of the Alymer district office. They were an exceptional team working together to make this happen. Once we knew that a bander was available, we immediately started making calls to the Windsor Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor team of volunteers to try and pull together the event. The bridge was quick to put together the lift truck and staff to accomplish the task and we are so grateful to the Windsor Ambassador Bridge Company for making this happen. Then we were joined in this effort to organize the event by retired co-ordinators Dennis and Gwen who put in such an amazing effort to pull together the tent, tables, invitees and press which we know is no easy feat. Our sincerest gratitude to Dennis and Gwen for such an outstanding job done and a testiment to the great group of volunteers in Windsor. At the event, we were joined by CTV, the Windsor Star and Windsor CBC News who were surrounded by the watchers of Windsor as well as a gathering crowd there to witness the banding. Marion Nash braved the lift to the tray where Voltaire was there waiting for her. She was very vocal, active and defending like a great mother does and was quickly joined by a very annoyed Freddie. The pair were fantastic in their defence which is something that we always like to see in the resident adults as a show of strength and committment. Freddie was whipping Mach 10 over, under and around the bridge while Voltaire sat on the ledge and gave Marion the stare down.
Back at the banding tent the three chicks had just arrived and all was set to go. Your three Windsor stars, as gratefully reported by Dennis and Gwen earlier are:
Hercules 714 grams 27 day old male R/48 Yellow tape
Tecumseh 677 grams 25 day old male R/13 Blue tape
Gwenis 1016 grams 29 day old female S/25 Red tape
The three healthy and feisty chicks were then returned to their parents and another good days work came to a close. Again, huge thanks go out to the Windsor Ambassador Bridge for their quick organization of the lift and the park space, Dennis and Gwen, watchers extrodinaire, for arranging the tent, tables, press and invitees, Anne Yagi and Catherine Jong for their coordination and efforts to get the banding done. Not to forget Heather and Erica, Anne’s daughters, who helped out at the event like pros! Congratulations Windsor on a job well done.
NOTE: My photo conversion software made the pictures all come out not as sharp as they should be. Sorry about that Windosr. I wiil fix and repost them shortly as you all looked so great!!
Posted on June 9, 2013 10:21 am
June 09, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
After looking at what I put on our site last night I forgot to put is that report was from the Team Member, Marliese. Hope you can forgive me, Gwen
Hope to see everyone for a short meeting this afternoon at 2.
Posted on June 9, 2013 7:58 am
June 08, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
This is an email we received tonight from Marliese, Thank You to all who were there today.
We had a pretty quiet day. Herculis stayed on the ledge north of the concrete pillars pretty much all day; still there at 8 tonight. Between Paul, Mike, Marilyn, Maureen and myself as well the odd drop ins we had the whole day covered. Voltaire came by and fed him. Nothing happening with the other two.
Posted on June 8, 2013 10:45 pm
June 08, 2013 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
I last reported that Trillium was on 3 eggs. She is still on the scrape but won’t get off long enough for me to view if all 3 are still there. She appears to be in hard incubation. Buffalo Bill stands on guard.
Posted on June 8, 2013 9:07 pm
June 08, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bruce Massey arrived at dawn and was able to locate all four juveniles. Sarah was still in the nest box where she was placed last night. Hadfield was on the Burlington Tower Cable Arm. Isabelle was on the front face of the Hamilton Tower just below the counter weight. Lancaster was on the roof of the Hamilton Tower.
Except for Sarah and Isabelle, there were some good flights and fairly good landings.
Hadfield and Lancaster were quite comical. A couple of times throughout the day, both juveniles were on the roof of the Burlington Tower. They had come across a dried up piece of lunch. A tug of war and game of tag ensued. They chased one another back and forth along the roof edge. These two seem inseparable. Where one goes the other will follow. From the roof of the Burlington Tower to the very top arch of the Skyway and then back to the roof. I think Hadfield at one point was saying “Hey sis if I lay down here will you scratch my back” and she definitely did. LOL
When we left for home around 4PM, Hadfield and Lancaster were still on the roof. Isabelle was on the Burlington Tower Cable Arm and Sarah was still in the nest box.
Posted on June 8, 2013 7:22 pm
June 07, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
When Bill arrived at the bridge this morning around 8am, the gang from Rochester were there to greet him. The girls from Rochester beat the locals. How about that!
Bill found Hadfield on the top arch of the Skyway. Isabelle was still in the nest box. Sarah was found in the trees on the lake side of the Burlington pier being dived on by Red Wing Blackbirds. Lancaster was on the Bay Side Cable arm of the Burlington Tower. It’s always a relief to find them in the morning.
Now, I cannot begin to report on all the important and successful happenings of the day, so this just a quick recap.
1. Isabelle fledged and had a strong flight between the two towers.
2. Sarah got herself out of the tree and on to the top walkway of the Lift Bridge which she walked until 6:15pm. Being dive bombed by Red Wing Blackbirds once again, she left the top of the bridge and flew around both towers. Unfortunately with the Red Wing Blackbirds in hot pursuit, she came to the ground behind the fence under the Hamilton Tower. Rescue protocol into place. We Contacted the Control Tower for assistance in opening the gate. After another safe recovery, a call was placed to Tracy Simpson of CPF. She would be down to do a health check and make sure Sarah was not hurt. Early this evening the Rochester Gals arrived to lend a hand and stayed with us until Sarah was released back into the nest box.
Many thanks go to:
MAK, Joyce, Carol, Kathy, Dana and Lisa from Rochester.
Bill McCreadie for the rescue.
Bruce Massey and Barry Cherriere for the assist.
Tracy Simpson for the scary release to the nest box with Mom and Dad attacking and Rocky Raccoon climbing the bridge structure.
Also, the Lift Bridge PWGSC employees for their assistance.
Photos courtesy of MAK from Rochester.
Posted on June 8, 2013 6:37 pm
June 06, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
I apologize for the delay in posting, but it has been very hectic. Four young fledgelings can run you off your feet.
When Bill arrived at the Bridge this morning Hadfield was still on the roof of the Hamilton Tower where she was released last night. Around 9 am, the bridge had a full lift and when it came down she was on the bridge sidewalk just out of the way of traffic once again. Back into rescue protocol we go. It must have looked pretty funny to see 3 grown men (David Williams, Barry Cherriere, and Bill McCreadie) chasing this little brown bird down the sidewalk with the traffic whizzing by. Rescue complete. With Hadfield in the rescue cage, she was placed in the work shop for peace and quiet. A call was placed to Mark Nash of CPF. A release would be arranged for later in the day. Around 2:30pm Tracy Simpson from CPF arrived, and so did the rain. It was only 12 degrees. Tracy checked out Hadfield and all appeared well. She was very feisty and not happy to be in the rescue box or the second time and Tracy had the wounds to show for it. Around 7:30 pm tonight she was once again taken to the roof of the Hamilton Tower and released. She immediately started running and flapping along the edge of the tower and jump/flying from one light to the next. We packed up and headed for home around 8:30pm. We felt with all the rain, limited visibility and cold that there wasn’t much more that we could do. Around 8:30 Tracy called to say that Hadfield had taken off once again and was sitting on the highest arch of the Skyway, a good flight and a pretty good landing. Where will she be in the morning???
While we were waiting for Tracy to arrive, Lancaster took to the air. It was an amazing flight with the assistance of Mom and Dad. He landed safely on Burlington Tower Cable Arm bay side. When we left around 8:30pm he was still there.
Unfortunately through the rain and mist we must have missed Sarah’s first flight. After a thorough search, we decided that we had to give up for the night.
Isabelle was still in the nest box.
Photos will follow.
Posted on June 8, 2013 5:47 pm
June 08, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Volunteer Reports:
A collaborative affair at 220 and 225 Duncan Mill Road
This a joint affair as Quest and Kendal are *tenants* of 220 Duncan Mill Road and Harlequin Enterprises hosts the banding at 225 Duncan Mill Road. The joint operation has worked well for the peregrine pair and their young over the past three years!
Grateful thanks to the employees of Harlequin who made a wonderful donation to the Canadian Peregrine Foundation.
Grateful thanks to Harlequin for their sizable donation.
Our thanks also go to the following people for their roles in today’s proceedings. I apologise in advance if I have missed some of the names.
Donna Hayes of Harlequin for making space available to host today’s activities at 225 Duncan Mill Road
Shanaz, building manager, of 220 Duncan Mill Road for continuing to host the peregrines and who *renews their lease* every year.
Mark Heaton of Ministry of Natural Resources who has been banding the peregrines for many years
Craig Brown also from the Ministry of Natural Resources
Mark and Marion Nash of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, who orchestrate the bandings
David who assisted Marion with recording the vital statistics of the three young ones
The many people who showed up to share in, and support, the event
The *Rochester contingent* who take an active interest in *their bird* Quest
The many fledge watchers and volunteers from CPF in Toronto.
Last but certainly not least, the *villain* of the day, rock climber and trainer of some of the chaps who *serve and protect us*, John Miller. He is the man who often *lives life on the edge* in the city, extracting the young peregrines from their ledges on banding days. Without his invaluable help many bandings would not have been able to proceed. Not only does John *go over the top* when making an extraction but he also sits on the ledge, whilst the youngsters are being banded, and has to deal with an irate pair of peregrines intent on doing him damage for his part in the proceedings! Quest was not a happy mom while John was up there today! Our thanks to you John!
First to be banded was Luna, 28 days old. Her black band number is Y over 69 and she has yellow tape for easy spotting
Next was a very feisty Carina, 26 days old. Her black band number is Y over 70 and she has red tape for spotting.
Last was Kimani, also a feisty little female. Her black band number is Y over 71 and for easy identification she has blue tape.
All three females are hale and healthy!
Good luck to the fledge watchers this year. When being weighed these three presented their talons, grabbed gloves and hung on whilst shouting their disapproval.
Lyn
Posted on June 8, 2013 11:20 am
