June 05, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Every Spring I anxiously await a post over the Southeast Michigan Facebook page to see if our 2008 born Screech is still the resident female there. Today it was again confirmed that she is! They saw at least one chick in the nest box, unfortunately the box is not accessible for banding but I’m thrilled she is alive and thriving!
You can see a photo of her on the SE Michigan Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peregrine-Falcons-Southeast-Michigan/164682993603101
Posted on June 5, 2014 7:04 pm
June 05, 2014 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
CPF Postmaster Reports:
June 5th - 2014
Yesterday (June 5, 12:30 pm), I was able to observe the pair from Unwin Ave. on a possible nest site to the right of the stack. At first I could only see one bird (maybe the male?) and he seemed to be working on something - at least he seemed to be spending a lot of time with his head down. Then the second bird (who seemed a bit larger so I’m guessing female) appeared from deeper in the structure and walked past the first bird to the ledge. They remained together for several minutes before the male flew away to perch on a pipe on the side of the building (I’ve seen one perched in this same spot several times this spring). I stayed for a total of 20 minutes and neither had moved by the time I had to leave.
Here are a few photos to give you an idea what was going on - sorry for the poor quality!
-Kris Ito
Posted on June 5, 2014 12:34 pm
June 05, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Tracy Simpson Reports:
The night before we left off with Ireland now securely in a tree on the Burlington side of the canal near the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters. Yesterday morning when Bill and Sue arrived, together with David they checked the tree where he was last seen in but he had already flown. They checked the area surrounding where the tree is located, scanning every bush, but with no luck. They were joined later on by Barry who scoured the Burlington side near CCIW for Ireland and still no luck. All the while they maintained their watch on Ghent who was now venturing to the edge of the nest box platform and vigorously exercising.
The parents seemed quite calm and relaxed about the entire adventure. While our searches didn’t turn up the fledgling, no doubt they know exactly where he is and they are keeping it a secret for now. In the afternoon, Margaret joined the team and was introduced to the lift bridge falcons. She walked from CCIW to the lift bridge and back again, searching as she went but not a peep. Bruce, Mark and myself went down to the bridge in the late afternoon and stayed for the evening with David and Rob searching the canal top to bottom. We were hoping for a reveal like the night before when the parents began hunting during a lift and Ireland made his grand appearance. During the late lift just before sunset, both David and I could hear a juvenile calling and when we looked up it appeared that it wasn’t Ghent. We tried to pinpoint where the sound was coming from but it was echoing throughout the canal and we couldn’t nail it down. After the lift was complete, MacKenzie flew to the Burlington tower to his roost just below the nest box and Cirrus made a few pit stops on the top of the Burlington tower and then to the cables near to the Hamilton side for the night. Just as the last light faded, I looked up to see if we had all three peregrines and MacKenzie was now off and gone who knows where. I would bet he changed position to keep an eye on Ireland.
So it looks like Ireland’s great adventures are continuing as he makes his way home to elevation. We all agreed last night that he is here somewhere and that we just can’t see him yet. Thank you to all who came down and supported the search and watch at the bridge yesterday including Bill and Sue, David and Rob, Barry, Bruce, Margaret, and Mark. Together we have assured one thing and that is that Ireland is not on the ground but rather up at some elevation that we just haven’t found yet. A great effort by everyone!
Posted on June 5, 2014 8:23 am
June 05, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
What a difference a week makes! The kids have been rather elusive since banding as they’ve been frequenting the other side of the ledge but occassionaly - usually when it involves food - they come back out where we can see them.
This morning, mom is on the web cam and allowing dad a rare opportunity to feed the kids! Look at how they’ve changed! Won’t be long now until fledge watch starts!
Posted on June 5, 2014 7:34 am
June 02, 2014 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
What an exciting banding day on June 2, 2014 at Sun Life Financial in Waterloo! At 11:00 a.m., Anne and Karine of the MNR; Mark, Marion and Rudy of CPF; members of the fledge watch crew; along with CTV News, gathered to mark the special event. Equipped with falcon cam and a few people to ward off dives from the adult female, Mark made catching the young falcons look easy. Caster, the male, and the un-banded female (a.k.a. Mystery), are the confirmed resident pair at this site. With much excitement and anticipation, the crew inside waited for Mark and his compadres to return with the young chicks while Mystery could be seen swooping and screeching around the 19 floor windows. The fluffy little chicks were presented to the group and carefully banded by the dedicated MNR folks.
This year’s chicks are:
Soleil – female weighing in at 859 grams (band – 1687-19649/S33) at 23 days old, marked with yellow tape;
Pippin – male weighing in at 624 grams (band – 1156-06803/B02) at 26 days old, marked with blue tape.
Merry – male weighing in at 605 grams (band – 1156-06804/B03) at 27 days old, marked with white tape; and last but certainly not least,
Helia – female weighing in at 854 grams (band – 1687-19650/S34) at 22 days old.
All chicks have good healthy attitudes to help them on to the next stages in their young lives. Helia especially displayed very loud vocalizations to the group that were definitely heard by Mystery from outside and attracted many falcon fans at Sun Life. The 2 females were named for the Sun - Soleil (French) and Helia (Greek). The males, Merry and Pippin, are named after the 2 food loving, adventure seeking hobbits from Lord of the Rings. With 4 feisty chicks it certainly will be a journey of epic proportions this summer in Kitchener-Waterloo! Congratulations Peregrines and good luck with the next part of your journeys!
Here’s the link to the CTV story:
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=374655
A BIG THANKS to Anne and Karine of the Ministry of Natural Resources for their dedication and care of these fabulous birds. And of course to Mark and Marion Nash, Rudy Kruppa, Tony Bergauer, and all the volunteers, without you, none of this would be possible. The first day of fledge watch will be on about June 13 – let the journey begin!!!
Posted on June 5, 2014 1:47 am
June 04, 2014 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
Linda Woods Reports:
Both adults were not in view when I dropped by for a quick visit. As I waited a very large Turkey Vulture floated through the area. I thought for sure this would bring some activity to the area. One adult came to the east side of the Hospital from the east. They did not give chase or pursue the low flying Vulture as it floated westward. Soon after both adult peregrines were in view on the east side of both Mount Sinai and PMH.
Posted on June 4, 2014 6:57 pm
June 04, 2014 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
Swing stage is in place for King St. banding tomorrow morning June 5th at 10:00a.m.
Erin is very protective of the single chick, guarding constantly and keeping watch for potential intruders. Windwhistler stands guard nearby.
Posted on June 4, 2014 6:53 pm
June 04, 2014 - Toronto - King Street
CPF Postmaster Reports:
June 4th - 2014
I caught a nice view of feeding time yesterday.
Thanks for all your good work.
Campbell Barr
Posted on June 4, 2014 1:25 pm
June 04, 2014 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
A catch up on a most important post! Chessie and Hurricane have hatched all four of their eggs and the chicks are thriving thanks to their awesome parents. Bruce and I were out there on Sunday to check in on the family and found Hurricane in his all too famous babysitting position to the left of the nest tray. Chessie was on the roof of the hospital sitting on one of the antenna and all of a sudden decided to take off after some crows. After giving them a really hard time she returned and took over duty on the edge of the tray while Hurricane was out hunting.
It was a while before Hurricane returned but was well worth the wait. Chessie flew out to the east hydro tower and waited for him to come in and he had food for the young ones. She took off into the air and the two made a spectacular aerial food transfer right above the parking lot. Chessie took the food in for the chicks while Hurricane flew up to the northeast corner. He didn’t stay there for long as a Turkey vulture came wandering in to the territory. He went nuts!! He took off after the vulture and as we watched he stooped and contacted before grabbing it right by the tail feathers. The two tumbled down in the air briefly before Hurricane then took off after the other two vultures coming in behind the first.
With the big birds vanquished he returned to the hospital but again it was brief. Chessie finished the feeding and flew up to the antenna on the roof while Hurricane took off northwest. He was gone for quite some time and when he returned he headed right up to the north side “H” sign. He was soaked!! He found himself a pool somewhere and had taken an enormous bath. He spent the rest of the evening preening away while Chessie maintained her guard up top.
The foursome will be banded next week on June 11th so check back for an update on the event!
Posted on June 4, 2014 8:33 am
June 04, 2014 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Bruce Massey Reports:
I stopped in on Sunday to check up on Mason’s progress towards independence. When I first arrived I couldn’t find him but he did finally show himself on MEC 3. I was able to watch several flights, one of which took him out and around the condos to the north where he did a nice short stoop after Renegade. His landings back at the MEC complex are getting better and much more coordinated. Rather than throw himself onto a ledge and hope for the best he is now targeting his spot and back flapping into to position. Much, much better.
Posted on June 4, 2014 8:17 am
