March 26, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
O’Connor was not in the nest box at 5:30 am but when I arrived to work and checked on her at 7:26 am she was sleeping in the nest box with her head tucked into her wing and I had a feeling we might see an egg.
Jack arrived at 7:54 am and she stood up and he bowed but I couldn’t see anything. A few minutes later she turned sideways and there it was!! It’s a very cold morning here -12c and that’s without wind chill so she’s currently tucked in on her egg.
Posted on March 26, 2014 8:22 am
March 23, 2014 - Brampton - Courthouse
Tracy Simpson Reports:
This winter, the Hwy 10 corridor north into downtown Brampton has been rather quiet. For the most part, watchers were only seeing Midnight, the resident female, hanging around and her appearances were even then sporadic. Over the past week or so, the level of activity has certainly increased with the re-appearance of a male in the territory. While we have not confirmed who the male is yet, we can say for certain that there is a territorial pair. This excerpt is from a report that has come in from Toivo, Grace and Maria, our key Brampton watchers.
Don’t know who he is but yesterday Maria phoned me to tell me she and Grace were looking at a pair on the BDC building. Today I sat and watched as they checked out the top ledge at the George st condo…. in and out of the ledge between the uprights, heads bobbing and talking the whole time. Then a pair flight , quite comfortable with each other, so he has been there a few days. We will keep you updated as well as we can but too high for good pics that would ID him. If I can catch him on the BDC bldg we will give it a try. Its Midnight …she is much lighter on the back now but last week I got a good look and saw both bright leg bands!!
Toivo , Grace and Maria
Posted on March 23, 2014 1:28 pm
March 21, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
-3 C / 27 F
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Sunny and clear
Although it was only -3C, it sure felt a lot colder. There was a cold wind from the Bay. As it was the first full day of spring, we didn’t expect to see the canal full of ice once again.
When we arrived, we could only spot Mackenzie who was hunting from the very top of the Hamilton Hydro Tower. The migration of Red-winged Blackbirds was continual and he made many dives (I lost count at 
and was unsuccessful every time.
All of a sudden Mackenzie started a ruckus and took off after another juvenile Peregrine. Mackenzie had some very harsh words for the Juvenile. When the coast was clear he returned to the Hydro Tower.
On our last two visits, there has been a Juvenile in the area.
Mackenzie started ruckus number two, and this time Cirrus emerged from the nest box. She had been in the nest box the whole time, laying down in her usual back corner not visible from the parking lot. Mackenzie and Cirrus took off after another Juvenile Peregrine. The two of them were very aggressive towards it and guided it out of the territory. There is no way of knowing if this is the same juvenile. They both returned and Cirrus disappeared inside the nest box and Mackenzie took up his spot on the very top of the Hamilton Hydro Tower.
A short time later, ruckus number three. This time a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk tried to fly over the canal. Cirrus was out of the nest box again, and she and Mackenzie were on its tail. The interesting thing about this is, there was another adult Peregrine in the mix. All three Peregrines gave chase. We have no idea where the third bird came from or where it disappeared to. Cirrus returned to the top of the Burlington Hydro Tower and Mackenzie to the top of the Hamilton Hydro Tower. It makes me wonder if we have another female in the area looking for a nest site. Neither Cirrus or Mackenzie attacked this bird, they all worked together to escort the Red-tailed hawk out of town.
When they were certain that all was clear Cirrus returned to the front corner of the nest box, where Mackenzie joined her and mated with her. Cirrus then disappeared inside the nest box and Mackenzie returned to the Hydro Tower.
After another attempt by Mackenzie on the Red-winged Blackbirds, he gave up and flew to the bay side of the Skyway Bridge. We think he landed on the base of one of the light standards. He was gone for a while and when he returned he went right to the nest box and delivered a small food package to Cirrus. I guess he had given up on hunting and went to his stash. Cirrus left the box and went to one of the cable plates (we know them as picnic tables) and Mackenzie took over the nest duties.
My guess is that we will have a hatch on or about April 22nd. The estimated hatch date last year was April 25th.
Posted on March 22, 2014 1:32 pm
March 22, 2014 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
March 23rd - 2014
Some great news for MEC in that it appears that we have full time incubation underway at the MEC nest site!! While we continue to work on the camera’s internet connections and the replacement of the new camera component needed to get the camera back on line, the colour camera is never-the-less producing a great live colour stream to the internal monitor.
Today, we were able to photograph the resident male - (“Sante”) hard at work incubating an undisclosed amount of eggs. Sadly, the bitter cold temps and high wind chill factors still exist and we can only hope that warmer weather will be soon upon us and spring weather and warmer conditions finally arrive!! It has been a very cold winter indeed!! With temps today still minus -9 degrees and minus -13 degrees with the wind-chills, its still bitter cold out there!
As far as the resident adult female (Rogue), after being more than a year in re-hab, the returning resident adult female (Rogue) seems to have settled in quite nicely and resumed where she left off two seasons ago. Remembering that she was seriously injured in a territorial dispute with another adult female two seasons ago and had to be taken into re-hab for some long term care. Rouge was eventually released back to the wild last August 2013 in the Niagara area, and as expected, was back at the MEC Mississauga territory in less than 12 hours after being released back to the wild. She was banded prior to being released back to the wild with a single Silver USFW leg band on the LEFT LEG and does not have a coloured recovery band on, so it should be very easy to identify her. Typically, the Silver USFW band is put on the right leg.
The adult female that had injured Rouge two seasons ago and took over the territory did in fact produce offspring last season at this nest site with the resident adult male - “Sante”, but she was found dead in the Square One parking lot late last July. Sante is unbanded and his original origin is unknown.
Sante immediately went into welcoming Rouge upon her return and they are obviously holding the MEC territory and doing well!
Stay tuned for more news…….
Posted on March 22, 2014 12:42 pm
March 20, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Tracy Simpson Reports:
We were treated this afternoon to a visit from Skye at the Duncan Mill Road nest box. Looks like things are on track for the nesting season with both adults on camera more often.
Posted on March 20, 2014 2:59 pm
March 20, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
O’Connor has spent the last 45 minutes at the nest tray looking very “egg ready”. While it will take time for her to lay the first of the season, it’s really close and could be any day now. Last year she laid her first egg on March 25th so she’s right on track. Keep a close eye on the Etobicoke web camera!!
Posted on March 20, 2014 10:48 am
March 18, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
On Tuesday, local residents in the York Mills and Leslie area were watching a Peregrine falcon on the rooftop of a parking structure snacking on a gull that was just caught. As it turns out the peregrine was none other than Quest! Thank you so much to Jackie for sending in the observation and to Victor Muirhead for taking and sharing these fantastic photos!! We look forward to further sightings from Jackie and Victor from the York Mills area.
These brilliant photos were re-sized for the web posting. Thanks again Victor for such fabulous pictures.
Posted on March 20, 2014 9:31 am
March 19, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Quest popped in at the nest site today and was doing some work on the nest bowl. She was scraping, pebble picking and being quite animated.
Posted on March 19, 2014 12:52 pm
March 19, 2014 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
This morning on the nest ledge Rhea Mae and Tiago were both at the nest tray having a wonderful moment together. It won’t be long now before the first eggs are on the way!
Posted on March 19, 2014 12:48 pm
March 18, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
9:30 am – 11.00 am
-2C / 28F
-7C / 10F with wind chill
Sunny and clear
When we arrived at the Lift Bridge this morning, we found Cirrus in the nest box and Mackenzie was standing guard from the Hamilton Hydro Tower. In a flash, Mackenzie took over nest box duties but never actually entered the box. Cirrus went to the Hamilton Hydro Tower. We thought for sure that incubation might have started, but I guess not. A short time later, Mackenzie returned to the Hamilton Hydro Tower and began hunting from the very top. After a couple of dives, he managed to grab himself a Starling. He circled and circled screaming trying to gain altitude. He eventually made it to the roof of the Hamilton Lift Bridge Tower. He began showing off to Cirrus as he was flying between the Towers showing her how successful he had been. I guess he wasn’t very hungry because he eventually stored the catch on the cat walk of the Hamilton Hydro Tower. They were both back and forth and in and out of the nest box. While Cirrus sat on the edge of the box, Mackenzie took off alarm calling. We followed and found that he was after a Juvenile Peregrine, who appeared to be passing through. Mackenzie made it very clear that it was not welcome in the area. Cirrus watched from the nest box. We wonder if it was one of the kids from last year. Sure would be nice to know if any survived the winter.
Spring is definitely in the air. While we were at the Lift Bridge today, all the guys were hard at work to make sure that everything is running smoothly. The horns were blowing, the bells were ringing and the wigwams were being tested. The Lift Bridge made it first lift of the season. Looks like all is ready to go. BRING ON SPRING.
Posted on March 18, 2014 3:06 pm
