July 01, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 1st - 2013
Hi All,
I stopped by the Duncan Mills nest site late this morning for an hour. I met to send this earlier.
Kendal & Quest were both hanging out on the Thales Building. I only saw them at first. Then a juvenile flew on to the very top of 240 and moved back out of sight.
A few minutes later I observed one juvenile on the Thales building.
I may have missed it on the first scope.
I do not believe this is the same bird that was on 240.
But I never did see all four at once.
It was very quiet while I was there. Neither parents flew. The only bird I saw fly was the juvenile fly onto 240.
Happy Canada Day!
Murray
Sent from my iPhone
Posted on July 4, 2013 9:54 am
July 05, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
After the long weekend the Greenwood Park Animal Hospital was booked solid for appointments and so with Apollo 3 safe and stable, we set up the earliest appointment that we could. When we arrived, Dr. Markus Luckwaldt. avian specialist and experienced raptor expert, was preparing for the exam for our little Apollo 3. The first step was the physical examination to determine the condition of his left wing. After the physical exam it was clear that the wing bones were not broken but that the left elbow was not responding to movement as it should. It was very loose, almost uncontrolled. When the x-rays were ready we went through them checking all of the bones for signs of a fracture. His keel, tripods and long bones were all intact. When we compared the joints of both wings, it was clear that the left elbow was damaged. In the x-ray you could see that the joint had dislocated and was overlapping. Dr. Luckwaldt sent the x-rays off to a collegue at OVC, another raptor specialist, for confirmation of his diagnosis of a dislocated elbow and to discuss the injury. Both vets concurred that Apollo 3 had dislocated the elbow of his left wing, torn all of the connecting ligaments that could not be surgically reconnected ( too small to hold a stitch ) and that he would never regain full control of his wing below the elbow. He would never be able to fly properly. The recommendation was made that Apollo 3 be euthanized as he could never be released as a fully functioning peregrine falcon meant to fly with control and precision at high speeds. We contacted Mark Heaton of the OMNR with the diagnosis and recommendation and on July 5th, the CPF stood by Apollo 3 as he was given a painless and dignified end to his life. I am saddened to have to report this to you as this is an unfortunate loss for the William Osler nest site. Both Bruce and I agreed that his flights with the wing in that condition were uncontrolled and he was bound for an accident much more serious than we cared to imagine. He was unable to gain altitude, control his landings and he was clearly in pain. Decisions such as these are very difficult and never made lightly but are so important. I am grateful that we were able to be there for him, recognize the injury and rescue him. I am also incredibly grateful for the support and care of the Greenwood Park Animal Hospital and the expertise of Dr. Markus Luckwaldt in determining his injury and recommending a course of action based on the best interest of Apollo 3 both now and in the future. With the sad loss of this little man we now turn our attention to the remaining members of the family; Blizzard, Aura and Maverick. These three juveniles are doing very well and continue to have our support as they learn the fine art of peregrine flight. Thank you to Winston, William Osler staff and security, Greenwood Park Animal Hospital and all of you for your support of this family.
Posted on July 4, 2013 9:51 am
July 01, 2013 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 1st - 2013
Happy Canada Day!
I only had a chance to drop in on our family this evening but I got to see a show–and I am not talking about the fireworks (although I did see them as well). I immediately spied our juvies on the ICICI building and Mom on the DeBeers. Within minutes, Lucky was off and after Mom–poor Mom, she had both babies after her tonight! Fun to watch tho!! I managed to catch a picture of both juvies–Lucky is taking off! I had the security approach me–there was a half eaten, bloody pigeon right outside the front door! I supplied him with a bag lol. I have a feeling someone dropped it and didn’t get a proper meal!! I got to see all 4 flying at once–awesome! I stayed and watched AM-E–once the fireworks started she dropped down to the roof. Once it was good and dark, I left–fireworks everywhere!
Cathy
Posted on July 4, 2013 9:45 am
July 03, 2013 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
Definitely only two peregrine youngsters seen first check on them this morning. One is Ramjet, positive ID by that white tape but I could not get colour of the other tape. At one point I thought red witch is Imagine but not sure at all. I saw quite a bit if activity all centred around food and that should have brought out the third youngster although they are flying farther apart now. Saw both Haven and Stormin.
The second time I went out Ramjet was eating a big bird and the adults and his sister were watching. Ramjet picked up the food parcel, crossed Yonge and went down the west side of 2180 Yonge with his sister in full chase.
The next I saw of them was about two minutes later when they were both back on the CIBC building without the food parcel. It looked heavy for Ramjet and he must have dropped it somewhere south of 2180.
Later Haven flew in with a pigeon and landed on the north west corner of CIBC where she began plucking it. Ramjet by this time was on the railing of the balcony on Canada Square north east corner. He was watching Haven very carefully and eventually flew directly at her and shouldered his way onto the pigeon. Haven was upset, moved away from him then flew off and came back and buzzed him on her way to the western side of Canada Square. She eventually took his position on the railing and watched him.
He picked up the pigeon flew around the CIBC building, avoided Stormin who flew over the CIBC. The next thing I saw was Ramjet and food parcel over the black building, 2190 Yonge, where he was being *forced down* by his sister. He made a *crash landing* on the roof but managed to hang onto his food. He plucked furiously and then ate, in spite of his sister sitting right next to him. He was a really well fed little peregrine by the time he finished.
Lyn
Posted on July 4, 2013 9:43 am
July 03, 2013 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
On July 3,
Karen reported: “Out again for a bit last evening around 7:30 pm for a half hour. We could see one of the birds on the left top of the Sun Life building but with the light it was hard to tell if it was an adult or one of the fledglings. It seemed to be Caster with his whiter bib but couldn’t see the face well enough to identify the yellow face markings. Shortly later we heard some squawking over the Sun Life Parking Lot and then there were two of the ‘grines’ chasing a seagull. It turns out it was Arnie and Miss Fran (able to make leg colour ID’s) chasing the gull but their sibling rivalry seemed to get in the way of actually catching the gull. Not sure at what point they could catch one…they seemed to know to pursue but not what to do. They eventually gave up and flew to briefly perch on the hospital and then they left and we could only see one of them on the Kings Towers tower after that. The gull was very lucky!” Lisa also saw 2 of our grins at about 8:00 p.m. flying over Mount Hope Cemetary on Moore Street.
Posted on July 3, 2013 1:40 pm
July 03, 2013 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
Canada day, I saw both Haven and Stormin. I also believe I saw two of the three youngsters but because they flew at different times I cannot be absolutely sure.
Today I saw two youngsters together at the top of the south east corner of Heart and Stroke. I walked all the way south on Duplex to Berwick Av to find them. That is where the huge crane is. I also saw Stormin on the south face of Rio-Can and Haven flew onto the fourth ledge south of the concrete wall on Canada Square.
Cheers
Lyn
Posted on July 3, 2013 9:37 am
July 02, 2013 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
It’s 7p.m. and I am watching short games of tag by Cosmina and Anastasia over King and Toronto Sts area. Wow, they are flying well.
Posted on July 2, 2013 7:12 pm
June 25, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
This morning’s watch started with all four kids up on the rooftop of the hospital running around in circles. What had got them all going was the fact that mom had just flown in from the west and she had huge pigeon dinner in her talons. She flew up to the Hydro tower to prep the meal and as she did the screaming and running became quite the spectacle. Blue could contain himself no longer. He flew off of the retaining wall of the hospital roof and made for the tower and the meal that mom had. Dad met him out in the air and the two swooped up together to the tower and landed next to mom. Little blue screamed and screamed in the hopes that food would be placed in his open mouth but that was not meant to be. His sisters, red and white, believing that their little brother was going to get the entire meal for himself collectively lost their patience and flew off of the roof over to the low roof of the medical center. Little yellow remained on the retaining wall of the roof on the northeast corner screaming his heart out. Once the meal was prepped the adult female flew over to the roof the hospital and the party got started. Now all four kids were up on the retaining wall on the east side of the roof and fighting like cats and dogs over the meal that mom had just brought. After all crops were filled, four juveniles came together with much beak tapping and reuniting with little yellow after his return to the roof last night following his rescue. The remaining portion of the day was spent with lots of flapping, running of the ledge and a few flights by the three more experienced juveniles. Little yellow decided to spend much of his time flying from one side of the roof to the other practicing using his wings. My last headcount of the evening at 9:15 revealed little yellow on the northwest corner and his three siblings down on the northeast corner. All kids appeared tucked in and ready for a night of sleep after a raucous day.
Posted on July 2, 2013 10:53 am
June 17, 2013 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
0530 Hrs.- Opened Watch. Only found 3 Juveniles. Searched around for fourth, and thought I had her.
0735 Hrs- Met Bailey who pointed out the 2nd Fledge Shania (Red). She was on the West side of the East Condo on a Window ledge 5 floors below roof.
0830 Hrs.- Window Cleaners back, Parents not too amused, but cleaners opted to do just the windows under the Penthouse/Sub-Penthouse overhang.
1315 Hrs- All 4 Juveniles accounted for.
1620 Hrs- Shania off above window ledge, (Sun too hot) attempted the Nest Ledge, was 8-9 Panes below it, did a gentle face plant and headed back East. For a brief moment she was joined by her sister Layton. She came around the South Side of the West Condo landing on the edge of a balcony.
1700 Hrs: Was sitting back on Eagle Rd.,when I looked up and saw Shania flying South. She went out of my sight, and I started walking the Residential Area South of Bloor. Rob said he thought he had another fledge, and had seen a bird hit Nest Building & Middle Office Tower Windows & flutter to the Mezzanine Level. Around the same time, I received a call from Baily that a.bird had flown South and then back low and she had lost it over the Mezzanine.
1800 Hrs. Rob found Shania in the same place as her sister Layton, but not the opposite side of the entrance.
1700 Hrs- Shania slipped, fluttered to ground and was picked up by myself. She was put in Rescue Carrier and into Security. Since @ the time of Banding she was only given a US Fish & Wildlife Band and not the Ontario Recovery Band, Arrangements were made for her to receive that Band the next day and be released to the roof that evening.
2115 Hrs- Closed down watch, transported Shania to Director to facilitate Banding
Posted on July 2, 2013 10:23 am
July 01, 2013 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
July 1st
On Monday a.m. around 10, we saw 3 again and maybe a fourth whom we think was Caster. Miss Fran was definitely on the Sun Life Parapet on the Union/King corner. Caster went into the nesting box after having some in flights with two of the others. They all are certainly still using the King’s Tower’s, the CTV tower, the GRH hospital tower and the roof above the blue “H” for the hospital and the Sun Life building.”
Posted on July 1, 2013 1:37 pm
