July 09, 2015 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Cathy Kerr Reports:
I spent an hour over at Yonge & Eglinton today after work-I got to see Typhoon make some lovely flights! He is doing well!! I also saw one adult but Omega must have been out flying with her parent as I had no eyes on those two! But it was great to see Typhoon making those heights–keep it up bud!
Posted on July 9, 2015 9:58 pm
July 08, 2015 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 8th - 2015
After reading the sad news from Etobicoke…fly free Mel!… I know you could use some good news.
Sandy has returned to the nest ledge at the Sheraton!
She posed for the camera for a few minutes then took a nap before flying off. I’m happy to see she’s doing well!
Eileen
Posted on July 8, 2015 10:32 pm
July 08, 2015 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Fledgling Sandy continues to do well under the careful eyes of Rhea Mae and Tiago. She is staying close to home as the adults continue to care for her and teach her flight lessons and hunting tactics. Earlier today all three were seen flying high over the area of the Sheraton Hotel. This evening, Sandy was seen on another roof top. I think she must have just been fed as she had a full crop. She will remain in the area with the adults for another month or so, until she is fully independent of the adults. In the meantime, volunteers will continue to keep track of her.
Posted on July 8, 2015 6:55 pm
July 08, 2015 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
Alex and I met at the Sheraton Centre at 10am. Nothing was visible from ground level so we went up to Sheraton 43. An adult was on the northwest corner of 130 Adelaide W. A few minutes later, we saw a bird flying high and to the south. It circled back and headed towards us. It was Sandy! She was close enough to see her dark chest and appeared to head for the Sheraton roof. Down to street level south of 120 Adelaide W we went. Alex spotted her head just to the right of the swing stage. She remained there until workers appeared on the roof behind her. She took off and headed towards Scotia Plaza and mom joined her. She was so high and flying like an adult.
We were about to call it a day and thought of dropping by Osgoode Hall and bring Irena up to date. We were on the sidewalk on University Ave. just west of Osgood Hall when Alex spotted an adult, Rhea-Mae, on Canada Life just below the weather beacon. Sandy comes in from the south and mom joins her. Then in comes Tiago and we have an airshow. What a spectacular fifteen minutes of flying. At times they were quite high. Alex spotted Sandy talon touching with mom. It was just luck that we were there to see this as they are now all over the place.
Posted on July 8, 2015 1:46 pm
July 07, 2015 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
Tuesday July 7th - 2015
I have some sad news to report. Just after 3pm this afternoon, I received a telephone call from the security team at the Kingsway’s on the park condo’s explaining that one of the young peregrine falcons had found its way into one of the upper floor condo units after entering the 10th story condo suite through an open window.
Back into the car and west bound again out to the Etobicoke Bloor & Islington where I was met by the Kingsway’s condo security, and directed to a 10th floor condo unit in the west tower. As I was let into the condo unit by the owners,, along with the Condo superintendent and another member of the security team, I could clearly see what all of the excitement was about. Yes, it was little Mel, one of the young male fledgling peregrines that was produce at the Etobicoke nest site this year. The same young fledgling (named Mel) that Marion and I had attended to, several nights ago at yet another condo building after he was trapped on the balcony behind the glass balcony front.
This time, Mel was observed standing in between the inner window sill and the white sheer drapes, obviously a little more than confused about the glass and what all of the attention and excitement was about.
Sadly although, with one eye closed, and with his other eye half closed with some very shallow breathing as he leaned up against the glass to support himself, it was more than obvious that Mel had sustained some serious injuries, likely as a result of having had a collision with the outer concrete wall prior to grabbing on to the outer window sill and eventually gaining access to the condo through the open window.
Without any struggle, a movement or objection, I was able to simply pick Mel up with my open cupped hands and carried him out of the condo suite, down the hallway, into the elevator and finally out to the car without the need of a net or even a towel. Moments after I placed him on the passenger set of the car, and even before I could get seated in the drivers seat and fasten my seat belt, Mel closed his other eye and simply stopped breathing as he laid on the passenger seat.
I have to admit, I had to wipe the tears from my eyes over the next few minutes before I could even start the car. A older couple exiting a car as they were coming into the condo’s main entrance stopped and knocked on my car window to ask if I was ok, as I guess my outward bust of emotions had got the better of me.
You would think that at almost 60 years old, and after 20 years of dealing with allot of mortality, that you would get used to it, but I have to tell you, that you never really get used to this sort of thing at all,,, (at least I don’t, and I probably never will). Another teary eye moment alone in the car with a baby peregrine, and some deep thought as to just how fragile life is, and how it can end in a blink of a eye.
Over the next two hours as I made my way home, both frustrated and enraged with the incredible traffic congestion as a result of the rush hour traffic being reduced from three lanes down into two lanes because of the new temporary HOV lanes, and heartbroken over the entire situation, you can’t help but feel absolutely helpless about the entire situation.
As sad as it sounds, in reflection, I am actually relieved that little Mel actually passed away prior to my actual departure, as I can only imagine how I would have felt, had I been forced to deal with the bumper to bumper traffic for over two hours going nowhere quick while trying to get the little guy to emergency veterinary services!!!
I can only hope that I don’t have many more of these calls, as it can be a little overwhelming at times.
Posted on July 8, 2015 2:27 am
July 07, 2015 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Yesterday I stopped in at Canada Square in the evening to check in on Omega and Typhoon’s progress in their flight school training. I found Omega on the top of Rio Can on the points that she loves so much and Typhoon was nowhere in sight. After about 15 minutes he came off of the TVO roof where he must have been back out of view and headed straight for Rio Can and his sister. All through his flight he had good flaps and nice wing extension so it looked really good. Landing? Not so much. He flew straight for the roof and came up a little short. He flumped into the window just below the roof line (not hard at all and bumpers up) and recovered very quickly. He flew back over to TVO and landed on the antenna where he sat looking a little dejected. Omega left Rio Can and flew over to her brother landing right beside him on the antenna. Sister Omega was giving him a pep talk on landings for about 15 minutes before she took off again and headed back to her spot on Rio Can. The two fledglings sat in their respective places for about 20 minutes and then Typhoon was off again. He flew out over top of the nest building, excellent height, and swung around towards the Minto towers. He went past the south tower out of my view but he was at roof height so I wasn’t worried. A few minutes later and here he comes again. Heading towards Rio Can, his ultimate goal, and all I can hear in my head is the theme song for Raiders of the Lost Ark. He powered up and headed for Omega and her perch and once again came up short. He touched off the sidewall of the point and headed back to TVO again. Ugh! He was frustrated!! A few minutes later… …duh da duh DA!! Duh da DA!! He’s off! Back to Rio Can but this time with a new strategy. As soon as he got within feet of the roofline, he flung himself onto the roof and “tumbleweeded” with a sense of satisfaction that while not a pretty landing, he made it. He now abandoned all finesse attempts and gently flung himself onto every rooftop he could reach! He’s learning!!!
Omega went for several great flights throughout the evening and her landings are much more graceful than her brothers. During one flight, she had to abort several landings as she was either too low or going too fast and this flight in particular had her in the air for several minutes. Near the end of this flight she started wailing as she clearly wanted down but couldn’t seem to make down work for her. She finally landed back on Rio Can and stayed there for a while to catch her breath.
Haven and Malik were both perched on the concrete juts on the south side of Rio Can watching the shenanigans of their two fledglings. If they could have covered their eyes with their talons and shook their heads I think they might have! At this point the parents are letting the kids make their flights, and their mistakes, with little to no intervention and food didn’t arrive until the day was almost done.
It was a great evening of flights for these two and they are working out the details of being the fastest bird on earth in spectacular dives and aerial finesse. Not there yet but looking like they are both well on their way.
Posted on July 7, 2015 12:22 pm
July 05, 2015 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
July 5th - 2015
Just after closing the Canada Square fledge watch at Yonge & Eglinton, having observed both of the two young fledglings flying high and doing incredible well,, it was off to the east end and the grocery store to actually get some real food for the house!! After weeks of having to eat fast food, always on the run, some home cooked food is sounding pretty good indeed!
Although pretty typical of the fledge watch time frames where the 16 plus hours days simply don’t allow you to do much home time, (let alone home cooking), it is something that most fledge watches understand and learn to deal with.
During our shopping event, (and I gotta refer to it as an event, given that we haven’t actually been able to get to a grocery store in weeks), the phone rang out again right in the middle of isle #5, (dairy). With the caller explaining that a young peregrine falcon had been trapped behind the glass on her balcony overnight and was still unable to get free, she was concerned that its 24 hour plus imprisonment while trapped behind the glass without food or water may now be getting critical.
After a short question and answer period, it was obvious that the raptor on her balcony was in fact a banded peregrine, Banded Black Y over 10, (with White tape) and non-other than “Mel”, one of the young peregrine falcons produced at the Etobicoke Bloor & Islington nest site. Remembering that Mel was one of the smallest little male peregrines we have seen this year.
So, it was back into the car rushing off to Etobicoke. Upon or arrival with the net, rescue carrier and towels in hand, we were greeted by Ann, who took us to her balcony where little Mel had only moments ago been successful in squeezing under the glass balcony front and was finally able to get free. Now roosting on the corner of her balcony (on the other side of the glass), little Mel curiously watched us snap a few pictures of him, and then simply flew off without even a thank you 
A huge thank you to the Aberfoyle condo security and to Ann for calling and chasing us down, as we are never too far away to help!
Posted on July 6, 2015 1:57 pm
July 04, 2015 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Saturday July 4th - 2015
A big thank you to Barb at Holcim Miss. after her Saturdays visit to their Colborne quarries,, and for sharing yet another great photo of their three newest feathered residents.
While somewhat typical of what you might expect to see in the far northern regions of Ontario where the vast majority of Ontario’s peregrines actually reside, (well at least the historical peregrine population),, this is something of a twist!
A man made cliff (but a cliff type situation with a ledge never the less), but with a stick nest base,, courtesy of the recently evicted occupants,, (the ravens), and you have a nest site that we refer to as a “near-urban“. Not quite an urban nest site under its true definition, nor a non-urban under its true definition. Unlike many of the other peregrine sub-species in Europe and Asia where some actually nest in trees, our three native / indigenous North American peregrine sub-species do not nest in trees, nor do they actually bring in sticks or any other nesting sub-straight. Historically, (and instinctually), peregrines here in North America are cliff nesters and dwellers.
That being said, a few stick on a ledge (as long as its on a cliff) is obviously not a deterrent at all. Quite a bonus I’d say! The picture tells it all!
So, like the two other quarry nests and the earlier Niagara nest site when the peregrines were nesting on the gorge ledge, the “near-urban” designation fits quite well indeed.
So back to the Holcim quarries nest site, one of the three hatchlings has fledged, (a male), with the two other hatchlings still yet to take their first flights. It might also appear that one, (if not both of the other siblings) might also be males now that we can see a good view them.. In any case, they are all looking pretty good indeed, with their “Taj Mahal” of all nest sites here in southern Ontario!!
Unfortunately, neither of the resident adults are banded so we have no idea of their history or origin - (urban, non-urban or near urban produced)? Thus will be the case with the three young produced this year, as there was simply not enough time to organize a banding within the appropriate banding age of the hatchling this season so we will never know their fate.
Next year we hope to on top of this one and looking forward to working with our new friends in Colborne!
Attached is a GREAT photo of the nest and the three young peregrines!
Photo credit to follow…
Thank you ALL for sharing this great story with us!!
Posted on July 6, 2015 12:54 pm
July 05, 2015 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
For the last few days Harry joined Tracy in the morning watch and joined Bruce this morning. They were able to catch some nice flights from Typhoon who is now keeping up with his sister with a little encouragement from her.
When I arrived at noon Bruce and Lance were watching Typhoon and Omega together sitting on opposite ends of the window washer swing stage. Lance had his scope and camera set up and had caught the siblings reunion and it was so sweet have a look it’s on You Tube here is the link.
https://youtu.be/UmfdgIab_NU
Just after Bruce and Lance left Omega flew off to the TVO building and called her brother who followed her there. The two played there for a while and she flew back to the nest building again calling her brother and he responded and flew to her again. With all the squawking Malik flew in with food and Typhoon grabbed it and ran down the edge of the roof out of sight. Omega rushed her dad yelling and chased him around in the air for several minutes looking for her share and finally settled down on top of the Rio Can roof just above the R. About and hour later Omega flew around above Typhoon and seemed to be showing him how to soar and it was not long before he joined her for a short fly together. They did a few circles around the nest building with Omega in the lead, gained altitude and both landed on Rio Can with Omega again above the R and Typhoon just under the N.
By early evening Mark Joined me and brought our my camera so I was able to get a few shots of the 2 who are now stuck together like glue. We caught them landing on the antennas on the nest building not bad for Typhoons first try and together on the TVO building where they both got food from Mom and ate together although it looked like Omega got the lions share.
Looks like Typhoon has caught us to his sister and both are now flying well enough to wind down the full time watch so we will be changing it over to spot checks next.
Keep watching for updates and photos to follow.
Posted on July 6, 2015 11:00 am
July 04, 2015 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 4th - 2015
Some very interesting news indeed from Connie in N.Y. as she has reported after seeing recent photographs of the resident adult male at the Niagara Falls nest site, that there has in fact been a change-over, as Onyx is no longer the resident adult male at the Niagara Falls nest site.
After checking the CPF banding database, the Black band number 32 over V that was photographed on the resident male in Niagara Falls turns out to be a 2008 Sheraton Hamilton produced bird that was named Duncan - (after one of the banders that was involved years ago banding some of the Hamilton peregrines).
We had several earlier reports of Duncan actually having been observed nesting in New York state in 2010, but these records seem to be incomplete on our updated banding data base. We will be checking the old data files to see if we still have the older historical notes that were attached to the this record and report our findings.
While we can’t positively confirm that the resident adult female is still Diamond, she is till believed to be the resident adult female at this nest site.
As far as banding, to answer many of your recent questions, sadly, this will not be possible.
Despite the fact that we have certified highly trained high-altitude climbers that actually are the folks that ascend down to (or repel up to) the many nest sites that are banded each year to extract the young peregrines, (the same certified climbers that actually train many of the Canadian law enforcement personnel, the Emergency Task Force (ETF), and many of the Fire department staff for their high-altitude rescue training, people that do this for a living, (not for a publicity stunt), the Canadian Niagara Parks Commission will no longer allow access for us to band the hatchlings, so unfortunately there will be no way to ever identify or follow any of the surviving fledglings.
Banding as you know, helps all of our provincial, federal and state wildlife authorities monitor and manage the species throughout its recovery, as it is one of the most effective ways to understand and monitor the individual birds movements, nesting, and of course the species mortality (among many other important data that comes out of monitoring the species).
I guess there is simply no money in it for them??? Perhaps we should have been asking Nik Wallenda all this time for a publicity stunt type peregrine banding event?? Hmmmm, sell tickets and attract sponsorship?
In any case, stay tuned for a more detailed update to follow………..
Posted on July 5, 2015 2:40 pm
