Banding Day at Holcim Cement
June 03, 2013 - Mississauga - Holcim
Tracy Simpson Reports:
June 3rd - 2013 - Banding Day
On Monday June 3rd, we had the wonderful opportunity to band the three chicks at the Holcim Cement plant surrounded by excited plant staff. Armando and Barb at Holcim having been keeping an eye on the resident adult pair Caspian and Storm as they laid and incubated eggs throughout the spring and hatched three young ones in early May. Once we knew we had a hatch, Barb Smith was quick to set the arrangements in motion, alerting Mark to the hatch dates so that we could book our extractionist, John Miller, for a day within the safe age window to band. We then coordinated with Mark Heaton, Aurora district OMNR biologist, to set it all up and it was underway.
When we arrived, John Miller got set up for the extraction while Caspian took off to the west on a hunt. Storm then flew out to the east but didn’t go far on a hunt of his own. As the extraction began, it was Storm that took the initiative and was all over it!! He did an amazing job as Caspian was well out of the sightline and earshot so was unaware what was taking place. Storm flew out to the west, found her and told her what we were up to. Boy was she mad!! She joined Storm in the defence of the ledge and the pair did an awesome job being healthy and feisty parents. The three young chicks were taken to the banding station and we were well underway. Your three Holcim chicks are;
Hope 665 grams 25 day old male R/46 Blue tape
Liam 665 grams 25 day old male R/47 White tape
Hurricane Hazel 675 grams 25 day old male R/54 Red tape
So many thanks must go out to the Holcim staff that have for so many years looked after their peregrines so well. Thanks to Barb Smith for arranging everything, Mark Heaton of the Aurora District OMNR for banding the chicks, Mark and Marion Nash for the behind the scenes arrangements and safety checks, John Miller for the extraction and all of the plant staff that joined us. Congratulations Holcim on a happy and healthy threesome and being our first site with all boys this year!!
Pictures soon to follow.
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