May 25, 2014 - Stoney Creek
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Yesterday Bruce and I went out to Stoney Creek to check in on Athena and her mate who we believe to still be Craig (but have yet to confirm) to see whether they have been successful in having a hatch yet. We found Athena in the nest cavity with her wings cupped and standing elevated and we both positioned ourselves for hopefully a peek at what she had.
After about 10 minutes of Athena shuffling around in the cavity, in comes the male and lands just to the left with food. Athena exited the cavity to take the prey and we could see in the scope view two tiny little white heads peeking up ready for dinner!! The feeding took about 10 minutes during which time we could see the chicks fairly clearly and it looks as though they are about 5 days of age. Because of the distance across the quarry we can’t say for sure if it is just two or exactly how old they are but there are kids in the house nonetheless!!
Congratulations to Athena and her mate!! We will be out again to check on the chicks as they get older!
Posted on May 25, 2014 10:09 am
May 25, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
They must know banding is coming in a few days. First one left the box earlier and then as soon as another woke up - she jumped out of the box as well! Fun times ahead!
Posted on May 25, 2014 8:44 am
May 23, 2014 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
Linda Woods Reports:
A quick visit to Mount Sinai today just before noon. I found the adult peregrines sitting on the south facing ledges of the hospital. This is disappointing as it points to the very real possibility that there are no eggs this year.
Posted on May 23, 2014 5:38 pm
May 23, 2014 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Dinner is being served up to the Sheraton 4. They are growing quickly, and look forward to seeing them up close on May 30th.
Posted on May 23, 2014 5:36 pm
May 23, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
This morning, two healthy and feisty chicks were banded at the Lift Bridge by Anne Yagi from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Two failed eggs were also retrieved from the nest Box. The results are:
1. Male - 705 grams - 26 days old - Banded Black B/00 - Yellow tape - Named Ghent
2. Male - 713 grams - 27 days old - Banded Black B/01 - Red tape - Named Ireland
May they thrive and continue to help this species at risk grow and prosper.
The name Ghent comes from a historical family of Burlington. The Ghents emigrated from North Carolina to Ontario in the later half of the nineteenth century. After spending one year to the east of Hamilton, set off across Burlington Bay in canoes with several sacks of apple seeds. The seeds thrived in the sandy soil of Burlington and to this day remnants of the Ghent orchards are still found in aging apple trees shading many gardens of core-area Burlington homes.
Hopefully, some photos will follow when we receive approval from Public Works and Government Services Canada. Thank you to PWGSC for allowing us access to this event.
Posted on May 23, 2014 3:43 pm
May 22, 2014 - International, National and Local News
Marion Nash Reports:
Wed evening I was going to my Birthday dinner.
Wed things were unsettled all day, whomever was visible was antsy. Then at 6pm I once again saw an male interloper driven off to the East, Midnight came off the ledge to join in but stopped at the BoM for a moment then straight back and in on the ledge. Male returned in 5 minutes and was very agitated. Thats is twice I have seen an intruder and I suspect there have been other incursions into their territory.
Then thurs morning at 645am she came off the ledge with no male to take over , she went to a corner 50 ft away and picked at a stash, she kept opening her wings and finally took off and twice approached the ledge before settling and going in CARRYING a small piece of food. Ten minutes later he returned with a kill and they did a midair exchange, he went in and she went to John st to eat! I believe that indicates Feeding and a hatch occured either Wed or early Thurs. This fits with my estimate of when incubation started and when a hatch would occur.
Grace maria and I are very excited!!!!
This morning there was a 7am exchange …. and while watching her eat we talked to construction workers arriving for work and told them we would update them if they would keep their eyes open for us.
Toivo, Grace & Maria
Posted on May 23, 2014 12:42 pm
May 23, 2014 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Mason’s last adventure in flight not only had him stuck in a tree on Sunday afternoon until later in the day on Monday but his flight out of the tree brought him in contact with windows again and down to the ground for his third rescue. This past week he’s been working on getting his confidence back up and it looks like he’s well on his way.
On Tuesday, as reported earlier, he stayed quiet and hidden from view for the bulk of the day giving Grace and I some frustrating moments. He appeared around 5pm on the southeast corner of MEC 1 howling for food and stayed there for the remainder of the watch.
On Wednesday, Grace was down for the day to keep an eye on Mason who was again reluctant to fly much. That was most likely due to the fact that the adults have been feeding him relentlessly and he’s now a stuffed little turkey who is quite content to relax at home. He did make one flight off of the nest ledge and up to the roof retaining wall of MEC 1 just before Bruce arrived for the evening shift. Once up top he decided to play with the swing stage and nap for the most part but flights weren’t on the agenda.
Yesterday, Grace was down again for the day and saw… …you guessed it, one flight. Mason took off from MEC 1 and flew to MEC 3. Nothing spectacular but still a confidence builder regardless of the fact that it was short and sweet. Bruce arrived for the evening shift and again saw nothing! No flights. Hopping, running, eating, running and more eating. Oh yawn Mason, let’s go!!
Winston arrived for the late evening close and it looks like the little man has finally gotten his mojo back. He was able to witness several flights the first of which was a long one! Mason spent a good 2 or more minutes airborne and his flight included circling high above the rooftop of the MEC buildings and kiting in the wind. His landing was also greatly improved and he was looking more like a coordinated flyer than a flumpy kid. Several more flights around the complex of four buildings occurred before Winston closed down the watch for the night.
It looks like our little man has grown up and learned some incredible lessons along the way. Low rooftops, people, windows, people, more windows, trees and raccoons were all on the list of life lessons that he has experienced in such a short period of time. Today we will be back for hopefully one last full day before scaling the watch back to regular site checks. Fingers crossed we’ll be celebrating his graduation tonight!!
A great many thanks to Grace, Bruce and Winston for monitoring over the past few days. Mason still has a lot to learn but hopefully he is now well on his way.
Posted on May 23, 2014 7:58 am
May 22, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
All is well here at Bloor Islington nest site. The kids are growing and getting really big. There is a never ending supply of food being brought in by Jack, so much so that O’Connor hasn’t had to resort to hunting herself yet.
When she’s not visible on cam, she is either perched on the cam itself or on the ledge just above the nest standing guard. I’m thinking for sure we have 2 girls, if not 3 again this year and 1 boy…we’ll find out next week!
Posted on May 22, 2014 7:03 pm
May 20, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Marion Nash Reports:
Sorry for the error banding day is May 29th at 2:00 PM not June 5th as earlier posted.
Posted on May 21, 2014 3:53 pm
May 21, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Postmaster Reports:
May 21st - 2014
A quick look at the Quest and family today finds Quest tending to her new family in an effort to keep them dry from the rainy conditions today. While its not really cold, the blustery winds combined with the rain yet again today make for yet another wet damp day.
The young hatchlings are growing quickly for sure!
We’re all looking forward to the banding!
Stay tuned………..
Posted on May 21, 2014 11:44 am
