Whole lot of flapping going on!
June 12, 2014 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
June 12 - Rudy & Tony were on the watch and witnessed both Mom and Dad dropping off food at 7:30 a.m. At noon, Michael watched as one of the adults attacked a turkey vulture that was in the no-fly zone. At 6:30, Lisa and Kelly watched as 3 chicks on the platform of the nest box flapped their wings. One of the adults came in and was prepping some food on the edge of the building between the parapet and the nest box, and then jumped down on the roof. Then only one chick was visible on the nest box and only the top of it’s head could be seen. It was looking down to the left on the roof towards where the adult jumped down.
Rudy, Helen & Tony at 7:30 p.m. saw one of the parents sped off from the side of the building, towards the hospital. It swooped up underneath a flock of black birds and caught one coming from below. It struggled as it flew back with the large package in its talons. At 9:00 there was only one baby visible on the nest box and was standing on the left corner very tall. About 15 minutes later the adults swooped around the building a few times. There was lots of screeching and carrying on. There have been quite a few turkey vulture sightings in the last few days. There is probably a lot of carnage on the roof top attracting the vultures!
June 13 – Rudy and Lisa were on the watch in the morning. At 9:00, one of the adults flew out towards Belmont towards some other large birds. All were flying around quite high until they were barely visible anymore. At 9:20 one of the adults was lumbering in with a large package and struggled to get to the parapet. The prepping of the bird began and feathers and wings were flying everywhere. The kill was a mourning dove, identified by a large clump of feathers that flew down to the visitors parking lot. Karen was on the watch from 1:30 to 4:00 in the afternoon. Merry (white tape), Pippin (blue tape), one of the girls and one of the adults were visible. One of the adults came and went a few times and could have dropped a treat over the side of the wall to the rooftop. It walked along the edge of the wall and below the nest box. There was a lot of squawking going on during the watch. Pippin and Merry were practicing their wing moves. Eventually, the other adult flew in and 3 of 4 of the babies showed themselves at the edge of the nest box platform. Possibly, the 4th was on the roof. Even when the 3 were in the nest box and could not be seen, someone was making a fair bit of noise. At the end of Karen’s watch, both parents had taken off. Sandy took over the watch at 4:30. There was some action with first one stretching it’s wings and then 2 more coming out to enjoy the fresh air. The baby stretching it’s wings added some comedy to the watch. It was very breezy and had it’s backside out towards the street with his tail feathers and wings completely outstretched when a gust of wind knocked him head first back into the box despite the talons trying to hold on tight! A few heads peeking out now and then with the odd wing stretch.
June 14 – Sandy and Tony were on the watch and all 4 young were present and accounted for. The parents both made an appearance too. Breakfast was served at 6:30. At 11:45 Michael was on the watch while 2 of the babies exercised their wings. At about the same time, one of the adults, possibly Caster, arrived from the Kitchener direction and landed on the “l” of Financial on the Park Street side of the building. He appeared to be preparing a food package.
Stay tuned! Photos to come shortly.