June 29, 2020 - International, National and Local News
Marion Nash Reports:
Last year I reported that there was a Falcon nest in the cliffs by our cottage in South Algonquin township. On several occasions this year we have heard and seen the falcons at the same nest. (As we have checked photos of falcons we definitively know that the birds are falcons). Last weekend we had the opportunity to see one of the adults bring back prey and actively tear off pieces and feed 2 fluffy chicks. It was a joy to watch. As the nest is half tucked in on a ledge near the top of the cliff it is very hard to get a clear picture. We have been using binoculars to watch from our boats. We will keep trying to provide a pictures.
Sincerely,
Tawsha Thompson
Posted on June 29, 2020 9:28 am
June 27, 2020 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Marion Nash Reports:
At the request of the building management as a result of the recent activity of the grins on their building, I attended the Scarborough nest site to get a better understanding of the happenings and update the management group as to the activity of their resident peregrines. Remembering that my last visit on June 17th confirmed that the first clutch of 3 eggs had failed and that the resident adults had abandoned their first clutch of three eggs.
Well, did we get a surprise when as we entered the upper rooftop walkway, as we were both aggressively persued and stooped by the resident adult female (non-other than Linn - clearly identified by her black-band 91 over V) the long-standing adult female)!!
As we moved around the building checking the 8 nest ledge pockets, I have confirmed that the original first clutch of 3 eggs is still there unattended on the southeast corner ledge.
That said, as we moved around the to the North-east corner column checking each ledge, the intensity of her aggression magnified 10x fold and we now know why! a second clutch of 4 eggs was observed in the nest pocket on the North-east column! *See attached photos.
Given the timing of my last visit on June 17th, (only one set of eggs that failed) and no others on any of the other ledges,,, and in consideration that there are NOW four new eggs on another ledge,, I suspect that they were layed sometime between June 18th and June 22nd,,, with full-time incubation starting around June 23rd. With this in mind,, if they are in fact **fertile and the incubation goes well, we should see a hatch in 33 to 35 days as of June 23rd,,,
Expected hatch around the week of July 26th to July 1st.
** It is important to know, that I did NOT see a resident male during this visit, and still have a question in my mind as to the presence of a resident male on site. If not,, these eggs may not be fertile.
Stay tuned…….
Posted on June 27, 2020 4:34 pm
June 27, 2020 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marion Nash Reports:
There was only 1 chick produced at the Windsor nest this year. Here are some photos from Paul of Daisy sitting in front of the nest area and her chick.
Posted on June 27, 2020 4:23 pm
June 18, 2020 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
As the summer is upon us, our official fledge watch is now at an end. Artemis is flying well and confidently on his own. He has been sighted with and without his parents on higher flights.
On June 18, Karen reported that the peregrines had a wee visitor to the site: “…today while at the peregrine watch, Sandye and I witnessed a bird flying around the top of the CTV tower. We assumed it was Artemis as we had just seen him in that area and one of the adults was on the tower below him keeping an eye out. We witnessed a bird doing circles…maybe 4 to 6 times …around the top of the tower and thought that kind of an odd flying pattern for a peregrine and the adult especially not joining in. I did notice an odd flash of red but didn’t question it until all of a sudden it flew towards us and landed on a closer shorter tower…we both shouted…its an American Kestrel! (male) It perched there for at least 5 minutes while we observed it and the Peregrines made no move to try and get it out of the area like it does for turkey vultures etc. I assume there was no threat felt by either party.”
Hope is doing well, however her eye is pretty bad and the refuge centre is working with a veterinary ophthalmologist on that. She has soft tissue injuries to the shoulder and head and eye trauma. Unfortunately, she may not be able to be released anytime soon if at all.
Falcon fans in KW will still be keeping an eye on the skies hoping to see some more flight training of Artemis.
Posted on June 22, 2020 11:00 pm
June 17, 2020 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
The CTV cam is now an empty nest. Artemis is getting the full attention of Mystery and Engima now that he is the only fledgling at the site. There is still no sign of Casey and Hope is grounded due to her injuries. Rudy took to a wildlife refuge today. She is eating pigeon which is good news that she doesn’t have to be force fed. They are attending to Hope and will let us know what they find.
Karen reported at 9:09: “I found Artemis on the King Street side of the tower on the level below the nest box. Both parents are either a level above and one below. Artemis was preening. No signs of any other bird.” The parents are being very protective of Artemis as Sandye reported at 11:51: “Artemis, Enigma and Mystery are all on the CTV tower. Artemis took a little flight a short time ago, accompanied by a parent and landed on the top level of the tower.” At 1:28, Karen reported: “Artemis had a flight earlier. Both parents have been around and both left for quite awhile. When Artemis flew from the middle he ended up landing on the top level. Just now one of the parents brought Artemis a package.”
At 5:09, Dale reported: “Not much activity this afternoon. Both adults encouraged Artemis to fly but he’s staying put on the top level of the CTV tower and just moving around a bit.” David reported at 6:28: “A bit of action. I had lost Enigma, not sure where he went. Suddenly at least one adult appeared, and after some noise and possibly 2 adults appearing briefly, Artemis took off, I think followed by Enigma. They did a couple of circles, then Enigma led him up very high, and I think past the Sun Life building, and higher yet. After at least 2 minutes Artemis seemed to tire of it, and flew, soared and descended to the top of the Kings Tower antenna. He sat there for about 20 minutes, then took off for another flight almost as high and far, finally returning to the CTV top platform where he now sits.” At 6:51: “Found Artemis, top platform, lounging on the grate, just in front of the corner closest to the hospital parking garage. Can see him from below.”
Tara and Randy ended the watch and reported: “Artemis took off for a flight on his own north and when he returned Mystery seemed to attempt to ‘herd’ him. He’s now on the Hospital roof where we have eyes on him.” Just after 8:00, all 3 were on the CTV tower. Randy reported: “At 8:30, Enigma flew towards downtown Kitchener and has not returned. Mystery is perched between the platforms and Artemis is tucked in for the night behind the big drum at the top of CTV tower.”
Photo courtesy of Karen von Knobloch
Posted on June 18, 2020 12:21 am
June 16, 2020 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Update: Toronto/Don Mills/Amexon: June 15 & 16: Sally & I met up to check on this family Monday night to see if they had come home–all were over on the condos still! Two( we think they were different juvies, only ID’d one) flew home but then headed back. One was definitely Rey, guessing the other was Hopper. We called it a night as they did not look like they were coming. Last night, I headed over around 7pm and was delighted to see one juvie on a letter! And it was Eleven!!! Way to go! I saw the other two over on the condo so moved the car and settled in. And in came a second juvie, landed right beside Eleven–Rey!! They found a stash of Dad’s lol and nibbled on that and preened. I caught a flash going around the building–could this finally be the elusive Hopper??!! Yep. In he flew, around and around, chasing Dad. Landing and then off again, way over the DVP southwest to the apartments there-chasing dad off the roof—and a bunch of pidgeons. Then back again-a very hungry juvie. He finally landed above the girls. And there I left them..I am sure food would be coming soon so they could settle for the night 
Posted on June 17, 2020 8:02 pm
June 14, 2020 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH: TORONTO/DON MILLS/AMEXON: Sunday June 14, 2020 PART 2:
Well,I didn’t feel like staying at home, so I headed back over to close the night out. And was I ever glad I did! I got my bins on those dots over at the condos-and counted..one, two..THREE!! Do I really see THREE!! Camera out, got the pic, blew it up and yep, all three juvies on the condo roof!! Whoohoo. Back together again. I called Sally and she was there in a flash. We happily watched them flying around over there and then got to see a juvie fly all the way home and land on the Intel building!!! It ended up that it was Rey!!! Great flight . Would the other two joing her? Nope. And back she flew lol. We closed the night out watching those dots–tho we did try going over for a closer look(the condos are private and gated so no go). We had seen one juvie fly and land on a balcony(high up) on the outside of the glass. Now it looked like outside a party room, so thankfully no one to disturb him/her for the night(of course this happened at close to dark). So that is where he was for the night. A very sad start to our day but a joyful end to the day, to see these 3 together again. And since all are flying very high and well, we close this watch already with spot checks ahead(I was determined to see if they would come home). Looking forward to seeing some great flying from these 3 in the days, weeks to come!!
Posted on June 17, 2020 7:40 pm
June 14, 2020 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH: TORONTO/DON MILLS/AMEXON:
Sunday June 14, 2020 Part 1:
We arrived to find the two juvies still over on the condos off in the distance. We were just discussing how we were truly missing one juvie, ugh, we got the news of poor Hope’s fate. That really hit us. Bruce came by..it was sad. After Bruce headed off to Canada Square to check on the kids there, we sat and talked. Finally, I said we are literally watching dots playing…let’s go to Don Mills/old Harlequin, check on the remaining kids. Needed to be there I guess. So off we went and saw them both doing well. We decided to call it quits and go home for a bit of a rest. So here are some of the pics that Sally & I got that day….
Posted on June 17, 2020 6:45 pm
June 13, 2020 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH: TORONTO/DON MILLS/AMEXON:
Saturday June 13,2020: This morning started off with nobody in view.
Not surprisingly, Rey was not where we left her the night before. She’s moved on from her overnighter on the solar power panel scaffolding. We scanned rooftops for the parents as they often reveal a lot of information…
I met up with Cathy, and while my partner Don kept an eye on the nest ledge, we drove out to get a better view of the surrounding buildings. Cathy found two birds on the condo buildings across the DVP!!!. She soon confirmed a parent and a juvie. Fantastic, but who were we watching?
While focusing on the condo buildings, Cathy saw an adult fly overhead and heard the familiar affectionate e-chupping. Hmmm was there a juvie nearby? I walked back to Cathy and we made plans to walk around the area. I spotted two birds on the low garage roof wall. OK. Two juvies now accounted for. Mum was eating in front of Eleven, who didn’t seem too motivated to hassle Mum for food so she’d clearly had a good breakfast before we had arrived. This also meant that we were probably looking at Rey way over on the condo buildings. What a flight. As Cathy said “the force really is with Rey!”.
Most of our day was spent waiting for Eleven to fly off from the parking structure, and not doze off in the sunshine.
We also kept an eye on the nest ledge, seeing food being brought in and parents coming and going, wondering if Hopper would pop up but no such luck.
And then there came Rey back home!! Way to go Rey! But she didn’t stay long, she headed back to the condo building-better digs?
Finally, Eleven flew, off to the east where she’d seen her sister fly to, but missed the condos. Damn. Don Valley Parkway highway, lots of apartment buildings, trees, Eglinton Avenue and part of the Don Valley…where did Eleven end up? Uh oh. So much visual clutter! We waited a while, then after not being able to even spot a parent, curiosity got the better of us and we drove over to the area we thought she was in. No luck. Drove back to the nest building, and waited. Fledge watch teaches you to watch and wait. Eventually we saw peregrine silhouettes flying their way to the condo buildings again. Sure enough we ended our day watching Eleven and Rey having a wonderful reunion on an upper curved roof. Lots of beaking and catching up.
As we lost decent sunlight, we closed the watch with the two female juvies over on the condo roof, and the parents over by the nest building.
Hopefully tomorrow we will get to see some lovely flying, and we continue to hope to see Hopper up on the nest ledge, eager to finally fledge.
Cathy & Sally
Posted on June 17, 2020 5:51 pm
June 17, 2020 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH: TORONTO/DON MILLS/AMEXON: Sorry, I am late with this one! Doing two fledge watch sites is busy-I decide to finish Toronto/Don Mills first, then didn’t get home til 11:30pm Friday night and it just got away from me lol. So, with help from Sally and her notes(bless her), who was there every day all day with me–here goes(I am doing separate posts for each day with pics)
JUNE 11/12: Thursday I was running back and forth so only spent a couple of hours here. I saw all three FINALLY on the nest ledge and was thrilled to see them all. I got a few pics off then back to Quest & her brood.
Friday, Sally & I were there all day. We arrived to find only 2 on the ledge, parents on the buildings. Hmmm, please don’t tell me we missed a fledge! Parents weren’t looking or seemed concerned. Tons of food going into the nest-was there just a shy Hopper(we saw the other 2) at the back of the nest? He was old to be fledging(42 days already)-hope he was ok. We watch who we can see…all we can do.A late lunch contributed to nothing much happening until after 3pm–And we finally saw a fledge! A strong flight, southbound and losing altitude.Parents had the juvie in sight though and Cathy found the juvie…solar panels scaffolding. Juvie attempted to return but strong winds redirected the juvie to the solar panels. Jenna flew over and spent over an hour showing her girl how to get herself out of this-hopping onto rails and back and then flying out and back. It really was something to watch! Then she headed back to the buildings to watch. Seagulls buzzed and dived. Eventually our juvie flapped over onto the scaffolding, got clipped by a seagull and ended up looking rather defeated and unsure on lower solar panel railing.
I think the ultimate was realizing we hadn’t stopped to check WHO had fledged and who we were watching until near the end of the watch when Cathy looked up to check the juvie on the ledge and realized it was a red band (after we were convinced red may have fledged, because of her eagerness running back and forth and lots of wingersizing)
We’re pretty sure it’s Rey who fledged. NOTE: After looking at our pics, we knew it was Rey who fledged lol
Cathy & Sally
Posted on June 17, 2020 5:45 pm
