!!! Cosmo sucessfully released back to his parents. 4 fledglings still all going strong - (well sort of).
June 23, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 23rd - 2014
Last nights adventures and Cosmos collision is a grim reminder that although it would appear that the fledglings are now able to hold their altitude and stay off the ground, they are still immature inexperienced juveniles with absolutely no life skills. They are solely dependant on their adult parents for food, protection and support for the next 30 to 90 days. They are still being beak fed by Quest a it will take weeks for some of the fledglings to even figure out that its actually other birds that they been eating, let alone having no clue as to how these birds actually end up on the diner table.
While it may also appear that can all now fly, (well, sort of) 
, like most young, they is still allot of opportunity for them to get into all kinds of trouble as they investigate their new world. We equate this period as the young 16 year old, one that has just got their drivers licence, and been given the keys to the family car for the very first time. Only in this case, the family car is a Ferrari!!! Speed does kill!!!
Remembering that these young fledgling peregrine falcons are still learning to fly,, with allot of learning to coordinate their tails and wings for elevation and direction, and equally as important, the tail and wing flare to slow down and break!! Landings are a real skill that is only mastered with lots and lots of practice, and as many of you have already observed, lots of bumps and grinds throughout the learning period.
The big difference with these birds compared to all others, is the speed. Peregrines are able to build up incredible speed almost from the get-go and its the speed along with the inexperience that usually leads to their many injuries and mortality. This in addition to having no life skills or fears, and we find them getting trapped behind glass balcony’s unable to understand why they can’t escape through the glass and get back into the air.
We rescue many fledglings each year that have been trapped behind balcony’s, pulled them out of chimneys, air conditioning chiller units and pools, air ducts, out of mechanical rooms of hi-rise buildings, garbage dumpsters, and a host of other things that get trapped in, some times weeks after they are actually flighted. And in Cosmo’s case, unconscious from the ground after colliding with windows.
So, the day at the Duncan Mills nest site was for the most parts uneventful today. Actually really boring with absolutely no activity for most of the day. Quest and Sky were inactive roosting on various elevations on 240 Duncan Mill building, with the fledglings lounging around on the upper roof of same all day! Very few flights and no teasing by the adults.
Sue joined me for a couple of hours today and was able to help keep me stay awake. Oh my goodness, what a boring slow day indeed,, (although very welcomed, as I was able to do some necessary recharging of my own batteries, relax and de-stress,, and I actually took a minute to eat). I’ve forgotten that you can actually eat during the daylight hours! Eating is good!!
With the support of Bob, Sally and Don, little Cosmo was examined once again before his release. Some great photos were taken by Sally with her camera phone of the examination. A feisty attitude indeed, with lots of energy and an aggressive fighting sprit! Rather nasty as a matter of fact, completely unappreciative of all of our efforts to care for him. This is such a thankless job as far as the peregrines are concerned. lol
Cosmo was again re-hydrated with some water prior to his release and cleared for release.
With Bob, Sally and Don in position at the ground level with towels and a two way radio in hand, I attended the nest building roof top and Cosmo was successfully released without innocent. See photos at roof.
Sally further writes:
RECAP: Soon after you release Cosmo on the roof, he did a lovely flight over 225 Duncan Mill, circling back to land (nice landing) on the top of 220 Duncan Mill. As he was circling back, Sky flew in and did some territorial warning dives after Cosmo landing, until Cosmo started his screeching, then Sky screeched as well and flew off to the roof of 225 to keep watch. Then you were back with Bob and I and we observed Quest bring in food to 225 roof - two of the three juvies flew over screaming for food while the other remained over at 240. As I had to leave Cosmo was doing the funny lurching run, pacing and flapping towards the east corner of the 220 roof.
It looked like Cosmo had taken flight over to 240 when I was leaving work? Or maybe 225? I saw two of the juvies on the 240 roof as I was walking down Moatfield. Hope all was OK after I left.
bye for now!
Sally
Shortly after 9pm, Bob and I were joined by Kathy K and her dog to check up on the happenings and spend a few minutes with us getting an update. By 10pm when I finally departed for the evening, all four fledglings were accounted for - (all in view), high on the rooftop of 240 and 225 and both parents were in view watching over the kids. It was so peaceful and quiet, you would have never known that anything had taken place.
Another typically day on the fledge watch. Back tomorrow, stay tuned………
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