Sunday at William Osler; It’s Time!
June 22, 2015 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Yesterday at William Osler was a complete shift in behaviour for the family as the parents prepare their young ones for fledge. When I arrived all 4 kids were napping away when suddenly in came Chessie. She was on a very distinct mission; harass them until they fly. This was not a singular effort either as Hurricane joined in the effort as well. The chicks were all on the east side split two and two on either side of the H sign. Hurricane took the left pair while Chessie focused on the right. Their efforts were relentless and spectacular in the same breath. Both parents engaged in aerial flights that included barrel rolls, loops, flip overs, tower slaloms and Hurricanes famous pull ups against the wall and jetting straight vertical past the chicks. Back flips off of the ledge capped off the display as well as both adults in tandem at one point displaying their incredible skills. I can’t say it enough, the flights by Hurricane and Chessie here are just pure art… …and the chicks sat admiring the art instead of taking part. Their little fuzzy heads followed the path of their parents and in way of applause they just screamed and screamed. By the end of the display both parents were a little winded and flew up to the tower for a well deserved break as their efforts had gone on for over half an hour.
From noon to 5pm not a single drop of food entered the ledge. Parental displays and too many touch and gos to count continued throughout the evening and the chicks weren’t allowed much rest. Lots of running and flapping exercises filled the evening until supper arrived at 730pm. Then dinner at 737pm. Then snack at 801pm. They were all now so full they could hardly utter a sound. They were one large pancake by 815pm and so I closed it down for the evening to go and help Bruce at Islington and Bloor.
With this extreme shift in behaviour towards encouraging a fledge the parents have let me and the kids know that it’s time. The full time watch begins Monday in earnest!