June 04, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Today we officially began the Fledge Watch for the lift bridge as Ireland, the oldest chick, reached 37 days of age today. Bill and Sue, David and Rob all held the fort and started off with what looked like a relatively straightforward and simple day. Exercising, eating, stretching and napping all on the agenda. Just before 1pm, Ireland decided that Cirrus, who was roosting not far away, was in need of his attention and so it was that wee Ireland tried to jump over to her and got caught up in the wind. When his epic flight took him flapping his heart out in a tail wind right out towards lake Ontario (I’ll let Bill and Sue tell the story as they witnessed it) it ended with him on the lake side area of Burlington and out of sight of everyone. He was fully escorted by both parents who then returned shortly to the lift bridge without Ireland. MacKenzie then disappeared while Cirrus kept close watch over Ghent who was still in the box. Bill searched everywhere for the fledgling for several hours while Sue watched the parents and scanned the area but still no sign of Ireland. They continued to search up until around 5:30pm which is right around when I arrived. When I arrived, I sat down for a few minutes and watched Ghent ramping up in the nest box. He was at the edge of the box now, something he hadn’t done up to this point, and flapping wildly but still no sign of Ireland. MacKenzie was on his roost on the Burlington tower just below the nest box and he kept looking straight down. Cirrus was on the Skyway abutment that she favors on the Hamilton side and I attempted to triangulate just where they were looking. When David and Rob arrived a few minutes later, David and I headed over to the Burlington side of the bridge for a ground check while Rob watched from the parking area for signs of Ireland. We searched for several hours and checked every tree, girder, hole and beam. Nothing. We watch as Cirrus sat in the Hamilton tower looking very unhappy about us roaming around down there and MacKenzie kept his vigil above. We decided around 8pm to reconvene back at the parking lot and when we arrived, things got crazy. MacKenzie was now out on a hunt. He was flying in and around the bridge looking for a meal when Cirrus also took to the air. Cirrus picked out a pigeon flying over by the Skyway and took off in mad pursuit. MacKenzie joined her and they tag teamed the pigeon but it evaded them. More stoops and dives put the pigeons in chaos and it was pandemonium! As we watched a bird came low over the canal heading in towards the harbor with MacKenzie hot on its tail. I called out “two males” and Rob was already on it. He followed the path that the two were on and watched MacKenzie bump the other male down into a tree on the Burlington side near the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters. When it landed it the tree we could see clearly that this was an uncoordinated juvenile!! Great job Rob!!
With Ireland now in our sights I headed over to see if I could get a clear line of sight on him. I was joined by Bill and Sue and we assessed his position and safety. He was now hunkered down in the nook of a tree about three quarters of the way up. The tree was quite bushy with a lot of very small branches so there was no way of getting him out. It was there that we left him as he was now settled in and our light was almost gone.
A frantic day that ended with Ireland being found. Phew. I must say that the Burlington team is amazing in the effort they put in on Ireland’s behalf and I can’t thank you enough! Bill and Sue, David and Rob all did an amazing job and together we have at least got his location nailed down at the close of the day. The first boy is out and Ghent is not far behind!! Hopefully we find Ireland high and safe this morning!!
If you have time to spare we could use your help down at the Burlington Lift Bridge Fledge Watch. This afternoon Bill, Sue and David will be holding tight and checking in on Ireland and this afternoon into the evening Bruce, Rob and I will be there as well. If you can come down and assist we would be so grateful!
Posted on June 4, 2014 8:14 am
June 02, 2014 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Mark Nash Reports:
Monday June 2nd - 2014
A great day in Kitchener today as we all assembled to witness the banding and naming of the 4 young peregrine hatchlings produced in the nest box on the Sun Life building.
Stay tuned for the details and full story with lots of photos!
Posted on June 2, 2014 11:54 pm
June 01, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
I did, I did see a falcon!
What on earth was this little bird thinking.
Posted on June 2, 2014 8:56 am
June 02, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Marion Nash Reports:
Here are some very nice shots of the happy couple.
Posted on June 2, 2014 8:49 am
June 02, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
Banding Photos
Some great shots sent in by Ann Brokelman of Quest and John Millar as he attempts to extract the hatchlings from the nest box for banding. As you can see, I don’t think that John will be on Quests X-Mass card list again this year. Sky, (the resident adult male), was on hand to provide Quest some moral support, but clearly he was a little confused as to the events this morning.
I’m sure that next year he will be better prepared to deal with John.
Also, a good shot with some of the school children at the banding.
Enjoy……
Posted on June 2, 2014 8:48 am
June 30, 2014 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Marion Nash Reports:
Banding Day - May 30th - 2014
A huge thank you again to The great folks at the Toronto Sheraton Hotel for hosting the Banding of the chicks they came through for us as always.
We were joined by some of our corporate partners from TransCanada pipelines and Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt who were on hand again this year to support both us and the peregrines along with many local friends and supporters who all provided names for our young star attractions.
Mark Heaton was on hand representing the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources who banded the young hatchlings. Thank you again OMNR and Mark!
We were also delighted to have members of Queens Park that also provided a name for one of the young hatchlings.
What a great team!!!
We are happy to announce 4 healthy baby falcons,,,,, ALL MALES!
605 grams male - 21 days old named Trout
550 grams male - 20 Days old named Buzz
640 grams male - 18 days old named Oliver
600 grams male - 21 days old named Raulphie
Photos to come
Posted on June 1, 2014 8:43 pm
June 29, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Marion Nash Reports:
June 29th - 2014 - Banding day!
A big thank you to the folks from Amexon for giving us space to band the baby falcons. We were very happy to find 3 healthy chicks 2 male and 1 female all at a very good weight.
We also wish to thank John Miller for his expertise and nerve in repelling down to the nest to extract the chicks for us and to Lisa Fosco for assisting OMNR at the banding table.
805 grams Female 23 days old named Zeballos
605 grams male 23 days old named Cooper
625 grams male 24 days old named McKenney
Photos to follow
Posted on June 1, 2014 8:34 pm
May 28, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
Banding Day - May 28th - 2014
We would like to thank Harlequin once again for hosting the banding event this year of the young peregrine chicks produced at 220 Duncan Mill Rd nest site and all of their incredible support to both the CPF and the peregrines. This year we were joined by students from Bayview Glen School who were so excited to see the banding and meet the little young peregrine hatchlings.
A huge thank you to John Millar for going to the ledge to do the extraction (and return them), and to Donna and Christine for all of their efforts behind the scenes organizing. A big thank you to the 220 Duncan Mills tenants and board of directors for their support and allowing us to invade their facilities once again.
A huge thank you to Mark from the Aurora district of the MNR for coming in to band the hatchlings again this year.
There were 4 healthy babies all weighing in at a very healthy weight.
655 grams female 18 days old named Stormy
465 grams male 17 days old named Cosmo
710 grams female 18 days old named Rainbow-Dash
510 grams male 18 days old named Hayes
Photos to come.
Posted on June 1, 2014 8:27 pm
May 28, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Marion Nash Reports:
Banding Day - May 28th - 2014
A big thank you to Chris from CBRE for setting up the banding for us,
Chris from Damar Security for setting up the live big screen monitor in the lobby so we could all see the live video of the nest ledge in real-time
to Kathy Smith and our friends from Sky Reach for the sky high extraction of 4 little peregrine chicks,
and to Mark Heaton from the OMNR for being there to band them.
We were joined by Audrey Tabolka from Queens Park with the winner of the name the chick contest she held at her office to raise funds for one of their charities and for CPF. The winner Pierre-Yves was so excited to have a chance to hold one of the baby falcons and to name him, good job Pierre!
There were 2 female and 2 male chicks all very healthy.
590 gram male 22 days old named Pierre-Yves
775 gram female 22 days old named Skyla
635 gram Female 22 days sold named Sunni
440 Gram male 20 days old named Heaton
Posted on June 1, 2014 8:12 pm
June 01, 2014 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Now that it has been confirmed that the Toronto Sheraton Centre in Toronto have
4 male peregrines chicks, the estimated start date of the Fledge Watch should be about June 13/ 14.
We are still recruiting volunteers for this site.
Looking forward to Rhea Mae and Tiago to take to the air with the little ones.
Posted on June 1, 2014 11:04 am
