!!! Marta Found High And Safe!
June 12, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
June 12th - 2016
Not to much flying today with the strong wind gusts but the good news is that we found Marta!!
When we first arrived we found only one fledgling on the back upper ledge at 240 and had only one quick fly through by Quest. We could not hear any squawking when Quest flew through but there was a huge event with relay racing going on at the back parking lot of the Harlequin building with hundreds of children and adults and lots of noise so we likely could not have heard them anyway. We focused again on a massive ground search for Marta in the direction and area that we last saw her fly off too, but no luck.
With all the noise from the event the sound was bouncing off the buildings and echoing all over and Quest and her boys seemed to be keeping some distance or perhaps it was just too windy so Mark and I decided to go and get some breakfast and come back.
While we were eating Kathy and Irma came to help out and parched themselves in a spot beside Harlequin out of the worst of the wind to keep an eye on the nest building and 240.
Mark and I arrived shortly after and just as we did we saw Quest fly in and land on an upper ledge of the east side of 240 and join one of her chicks who ran over to her wings flapping with excitement. As soon as we parked I went over to have a look at who was on the ledge with her while Mark went over to talk to Kathy and Irma to get and give updates. I was not there for long when I saw Quest on yet another ledge the fledgling I had seen with her was still in the same spot and another fledgling was on a lower elevation.
I pulled out my camera hoping to get some shots of the leg bands on the 2 fledglings to get a band tape colour and see how we had there but again with the wind they were back from the edge and I just could not get a view of their bands. As I looked at both of them I could see that the one on the top ledge was larger than the one lower down so I was quite sure in my mind that it was Marta, if only I could get a look at that band!!!
I radioed over to Mark and the girls to let them know what I was seeing and Irma and Kathy came over to have a look with me bringing with them the spotting scope. We were not long together when Quest flew off her ledge past and got Marta up and moving and we were able to get a good look, It’s red shouted Irma she’s home!
I managed despite the gusty winds and my excitement to snap a quick picture and was able to confirm that yes it was indeed her. We stayed watching her for a short time until Quest came in and fed her and like Marta had always done before she ate and plopped down for a nap.
With Marta found and no more flying from anyone Kathy and Irma headed home and Mark and I closed off the day. There were a few flights by at least 2 of the boys over to the Tridel building and 1 short flight from Marta out half way to Tridel and then back to the upper ledge of 240.
By darkness, we had all four fledglings in view, all high and out of danger!!!
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