!!! 4 hatchlings in Kitchener-Waterloo!!!
May 15, 2014 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
On May 9, Wendy observed activity around the nest box at 8:30 and 10:30. At 10:45 she observed 3 grines flying down from the building and all flew south together. At 1:00 p.m., one grine swooped around the building. On May 10, Tony also saw 3 grines flying together at about 1:00 p.m. On the watch for about 1 ½ hours, he didn’t seen anyone return to the nest box.
On May 12, Wendy reported a lot of activity in the morning. Between 9:45 and 10:45 a single grine was observed flying and leaving the nest area 6 times. She did see one arrive with food on one occasion. Later on, Tony observed “Caster came to the nest box at 12:30 p.m. He was squawking as he was getting there. I couldn’t see if he was carrying anything but as he got close, I heard some sounds that I haven’t heard before and it sounded to me like multiple voices chirping (not the usual squawking). He stayed in there for 2 minutes before leaving. I could see him rustling around a bit while he was in there and then left.“
In the evening, Rudy was on the watch at 7:15 and observed: “… a grine flew in and landed on one of the concrete parapets. No food was brought in. It appeared to be the female. After 10 or 15 minutes Caster came out of the box and they did a few acrobatics but I did not see any food traded. The female then went into the box and Caster sat for about 20 minutes before flying off towards downtown Waterloo. He was gone for about a 1/2 hour and returned with a package that was probably a dove. He sat the parapet on the King St. side and proceeded to clean the quarry. It rained feathers for almost 20 minutes. Once cleaned, Caster flew to the parapet on the right side of the box. The female came out and they vocalized a bit before he flew off to the Park St. side. She sat inspecting the package before flying into the box with it. Caster flew back to the King St. side a few minutes later and was still there when I left at 8:45 as it was getting dark and the rain was starting. It looks as though we probably have a hatch!”
On May 14 at 7:45 p.m., Tony and Rudy confirmed that all 4 eggs have hatched!!!! Tony was able to take a few pictures to reveal the little pile of falcons in amongst many flicker feathers and others in the nest box. Mark reviewed the pictures and commented, “One has just opened its eyes (barely) and is the youngest. The oldest looks approximately 4 to 5 days old max. That being said, the opportune banding date based on the oldest age is Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 6.“
Congratulations Falcons! Let the games begin!!! If anyone is interested in joining the fledge watch, please contact Tony at: tonybergauer@gmail.com. The fledge watch will start on about Friday, June 13. A lucky day for our little falcons!!!!
Photos courtesy of Tony Bergauer.
