Thursday June 19th at Etobicoke Sun Life
June 19, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Baylie was out at first light to check on Skyla in the big old maple tree on Eagle Road and see how she was making out. She checked the tree over from top to bottom but no sign of Skyla anywhere. When Rob and Kathy arrived, they joined Baylie in searching around the three towers, the mezzanine levels and the Aberfoyle neighbourhood. After much searching and circling, they found Skyla on the mezzanine level near the Good Life fitness centre and the team was quite relieved. She was low but no worse for wear in her current location and so the watch team sought out the boys location on the towers. They located both Sunni and Pierre on the west tower and they had Skyla up on the mezzanine. By this time she had dropped down and out of their view so the watchers were using the reflective glass at the base of the columns (slanted and reflects the rooftop image) to keep an eye on her. There was a flurry of activity and they believed that Skyla may have flown and so made a round of the building to check on her location. During a sweep past a segment of windows, they could see a falcon laying down on the mezzanine roof. Kathy and Rob quickly reacted and headed into security for assistance to retrieve the bird they had seen. At the time the bird was laying down and not moving and so they were concerned that Skyla had taken flight and not done well but rather struck the glass in her attempt to get back home. When they reached the rooftop and approached the bird it was now clear that this was a recovery; the bird had perished. The biggest shock came when they picked the bird up and realized that it was Pierre that had struck the glass and passed due to the impact. The team was devastated.
The loss of Pierre was so frustrating for us all as he really was flying quite well even though most of his flights were only building to building, rooftop to rooftop. He was maintaining his altitude, flying with control and his landings were improving with each flight that he took. When these fledglings get to the point that Pierre was at, flying fairly well and staying high, they can all too often get caught up in a strong wind or travel too fast and strike the towers with a fatal blow. Pierre’s loss is such a sad event for us all but we will soldier on for Skyla and Sunni. The team of watchers at Etobicoke Sun Life never fail to be there for the birds that we all care so much for and I cannot give them enough accolades for their efforts. They truly are incredible.
Pierre was taken by Rob to a secure location for holding while Kathy and Baylie searched for Sunni and Skyla. Sunni was staying high on the rooftop retaining walls but Skyla had obviously flown again and her location was uncertain. The rest of the day was spent in quiet repose watching Sunni and waiting for a sign as to where Skyla might be. Kathy was relieved by Jim for the afternoon and I arrived later in the early evening to take over and close for the night. I was determined to find Skyla and so I walked, and walked and walked. Kathy, Rob, Jim and Baylie had already exhausted themselves doing the same thing all day and it was now my turn. After making several revolutions of the neighbourhood and ensuring that she was not on the ground or mezzanine areas, I sat down at the Monkton Ave parking lot where I could keep an eye on Sunni and possibly get a hint from O’Connor as to her daughter’s location. There was a sense of calm amongst the three visible family members. Sunni was on the west tower east corner napping, Jack was on the antenna on the west tower and O’Connor was on the communication drum above him. But who then was on the nest building roof? I looked carefully and yes, I had a falcon on the nest building retaining wall! I took a few shots with my camera and checked the tape color. SKYLA!! I called the watchers right away to let them know that she was safe and sound on the rooftop and that I had all four birds in sight; two juveniles and two adults.
I was elated at finding Skyla and to be honest with you, kinda hoped she would just stay put for the night. Nope. She had other plans. She flew off of the nest building towards the west tower and was just a little too low. She grabbed the concrete and clung for a few seconds before letting go and flying back over to the nest building. A great landing! She tried again and this time circled out to gain some altitude before landing on the west tower right next to her brother! Excellent! They spent the rest of the evening celebrating their reunion with beak touching, playing and napping together. One last feeding came in to the two young ones on the west tower and at this point O’Connor put them to bed for the night.
I know I keep repeating myself but this cannot be overstated. Thank you to Baylie, Kathy, Rob, Jim, Paragon Security, CBRE Management Group and the Etobicoke Sun Life community for supporting this family of falcons. It is a direct result of our collaborative efforts that we have come so far and so well together. Thank you.