April 22, 2014 - International, National and Local News
Robert Williams Reports:
During winter birding outings on the Stoney Creek mountain, we observed a peregrine on a pole at the quarry on 10th road. Unfortunately it would not cooperate and show its legs, so we couldn’t get band information.
We kept checking back periodically, with no more luck until an early April birding report. Sure enough, we could see that there were in fact two peregrines at the quarry, having taken over the raven nest, (and the ravens were still at the quarry too). Again, though, despite repeat trips back we couldn’t get close enough to the birds to see if they were banded. They were certainly copulating and seemed to be in incubation as well.
Good news finally though, Tracy Simpson was apparently able to get a shot of the female showing her bands and identifying her as Athena, formerly of the Stoney Creek Fruitland site. Still hoping to id the male and see if Craig has joined her there, or if she has a new partner.
Posted on April 24, 2014 8:31 pm
April 24, 2014 - Hamilton - Sheraton Hotel
CPF Postmaster Reports:
April 24th - 2014
Sadly, one of the eggs at the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel nest site has disappeared, likely eaten by one (or both) of the resident pair and the remaining egg has been abandoned altogether by Madam X. While sad news, this is not an unusual happening. So far this year, we have already seen several other clutches of eggs destroyed and eaten by the resident pair at two other nest sites here in southern Ontario, and at several other nest sites each year over the past years.
Look at what the Port Colborne nest site has been going through over the past three years with incredible territorial battles going on each year, and the destruction of several clutches of eggs each season as a result - http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/c/sightings/port-colborne-adm-mill
While we can only speculate as to the cause, (and there are many things that cause the peregrines to abandon and /or consume their eggs), it is our experience that one of the most often documented explanations for a pair to abandon, destroy or consume their eggs comes from pressures as a result of territorial disputes from other peregrines challenging the resident pair for their territory or the nest sites.
While the fighting between outsiders and the resident pairs can get quite aggressive (well documented over the years, with physical combat going on in the nest boxes and nest ledges themselves), some times resulting in the injury or death of one or more of the birds, squabbling and fighting is just as evident in aerial battles that can take place some distance from the actual nest site itself. Its all about protecting your territory, and some of our urban pairs have huge territories!
Also remember that this is the time of year when allot of our northern Ontario’s peregrines are only just returning from their wintering grounds in the south, now passing through the area on the way back up north to their home turfs, and the single unattached birds are looking for both mates and territories, and in usual peregrine form, have no problem challenging whom ever they encounter on the way to win over a mate and territory. This is how Surge acquired the Hamilton Sheraton territory and Madam X several years ago. He wasn’t invited.
Stay tuned, it could get very interesting……….
The good news is, the breeding season is still in full swing, hormones levels are high, and there is plenty of time to produce and/or re-clutch additional eggs.
As far as our resident northern Ontario peregrines, many of them are still not even back on territory and still weeks away from even producing their own eggs.
Posted on April 24, 2014 12:15 pm
April 23, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
April 23rd - 2014
A huge thank you to Chris Currie from Damar Security Systems for visiting the Etobicoke nest site today and getting web cam one up and running again. Sadly, I was out all day today and away from a computer and was unable to get any peregrine views today, but Chris did send us a great close-up photo of the eggs in the nest tray and a short avi video clip that he recorded while on site. The good news about the camera, it was only a faulty camera power supply and its been replaced. Camera one is back up and running!
To see the avi video clip, simply
Copy and past this link into your browser - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5nqzk6vxufq2uhr/eeGLkR2kR7#lh:null-20140423_165405_347.avi
If the eggs were any bigger, poor Jack would have a heck of a time incubating!!
Sadly, the internet connection is slow and with both cameras now working again, it does take a longer time to load both images.
Looking good,, stay tuned
Posted on April 23, 2014 2:25 am
April 21, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
went out today and spent 2 hours observing. Nothing much happened.
Haven was on the south face of Rio-Can most of the time. The first time she flew it was south on the west side of Canada Square, across the south end of the building and then she emerged flying east along Eglinton before turning around and coming back towards Rio-Can. She flew north and disappeared only to show up over Rio-Can and the Eglinton/Duplex intersection. She disappeared again for a while and then flew back to Rio-can from over 53 Division. She perched for a while and preened and stretched often before flying again and she did not re-appear before I left. I did not see Stormin at all.
Cheers
Lyn
Posted on April 22, 2014 10:39 pm
April 11, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
Haven & Stormin have 4 eggs as of April 11th.
Posted on April 22, 2014 10:25 pm
April 17, 2014 - Mississauga - Holcim
Marion Nash Reports:
Armando reports there are now 4 eggs. stay tuned for hatch.
Posted on April 21, 2014 11:15 am
April 17, 2014 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Marion Nash Reports:
Checked the nest and there are now 4 eggs likely laid last Friday April 11th.
Stayed tuned for hatch.
Posted on April 21, 2014 11:11 am
April 21, 2014 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Tiago coming in for his turn at incubating. Only two eggs can be seen as the others are under the physical camera and out of view.
Posted on April 21, 2014 10:36 am
April 20, 2014 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
Excited to report that Viper (hatched in 2012 to Freddie and Voltaire) now is attending to 2 eggs in her new nest in Lansing, Michigan! Thanks to the folks in Michigan who have been posting pictures and updates from their webcam onto Facebook. Here is the link to their site:
https://www.facebook.com/LBWLPeregrineFalcons
Meanwhile in Windsor, Voltaire has been staying on the nest and is keeping her eggs well cared for.
Posted on April 20, 2014 11:34 am
April 17, 2014 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
After eating one egg yesterday, Trillium laid her 5th egg of the year. So she now has 2 eggs to tend to as the first 3 have been consumed. We have our fingers & toes crossed that these 2 eggs hatch. At this point the egg survival is 2 for 5.
Posted on April 17, 2014 9:46 pm
