At 3:05, a turkey vulture flew close by the nest box and one bird came out and sat on the ledge while the other took off from the back side of the tower. It came back a while later and flew around and landed in the box briefly then took off again to parts unknown.
Photos courtesy of Karen von Knobloch
Hamilton Falconwatch News Updates
provided by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club
HAS MCKEEVER FINISHED LAYING?
Sunday, April 3, 2022 - It was a week ago today that McKeever laid her first egg. Without being able to count them, we have two ways to estimate when McKeever has finished her laying. The first is a simple bit of math. Peregrines generally lay no more than 4 eggs, so, with an average time between individual eggs of about 2 days, the longest laying can last is about a week. On rare occasions, a fifth egg will be produced, which would make tomorrow the last day of laying.
Our other clue is to look at the color of the eggs. A freshly laid egg is much redder than one that has been sitting in the nest for a few days. This photo shows the difference quite clearly. The egg on the left has been laid more recently, while the one on the right has faded enough that we can be quite sure it is the first (or possibly the second) egg laid. Now, the waiting game begins. And in about a month we will see how many of these eggs are viable and actually hatch. With luck, and the youthful vigor of our two adults, we may see a very full nest this year!
There are 4 eggs laid now hope they all hatch. It`s may be a very busy season 
OMG!! Is this a dream come true or what!! My friend, Garry Cowdroy, sent me these fantastic photos from Beachville (near Woodstock). As many of you know, I have been passionate about my Beachville peregrines since I first laid eyes on this site back in 2014. Last year, they abandoned the nest to have one baby somewhere within the quarry. Well .. looks like Virginia came to her senses and decided to go back to the nest site. Lucky for us because it’s where we can watch them. Garry confirmed Virginia’s ID (76/AX black/green), and we are 99% sure it’s Joe (Garry saw the Y, Joe is 48/Y, black band). We can’t wait to see what this year brings . I am having some difficulty containing my excitement Cheers, Lucie
AYALA (03/AB), 2021 hatch from Canada Square, has been seen and photographed today in Wilmette, IL! Thank you to Mary Hennen for sending us the information and to Woody Goss for this great photo! Ayala is still wearing her red tape. Cheers, Lucie
3 perhaps 4 eggs now laid.
On April 2, Rudy was at the CTV site at 2:00 and both flew into the box shortly after. Lucky Rudy witnessed some peregrine “activity”. According to CTV there are no eggs yet but perhaps they are on the way now! Sandye drove by around 5 p.m. and there was one bird on top of the box. Based on timing and because there have not been any witnesses to interaction with 3 or 4 birds, likely, these are the same pair that have been sighted at both hospitals.
April 3
At 11:25 a.m. Karen checked the St Mary’s site but no birds were to be seen. She drove to CTV and eventually found one prepping food on the top level. After about 10 minutes it took off with a package, flew around and eventually headed to the nesting box while the other bird was inside. The package was shared and the one from inside took off with a piece and went to one of the microwave antennas and had a meal. The other stayed by the box for a while and ate too. Eventually it took off to challenge a red tailed hawk. When Karen left both birds were on the tower. Neither bird had visible leg bands.
Later on in the afternoon, Ralph saw two peregrines flying around St Mary’s hospital at about 1:45. They then headed towards Victoria Park.
Photos courtesy of Karen von Knobloch
Amy confirmed one peregrine was at CTV this morning on the smaller tower. A little later on, she reported that there are 2! Both were actively hunting and then landed on the tower at CTV.
Karen and Sandye also reported seeing one poking its head out from the corner of the nest box this morning.
Wendy, Katharine and Jamie reported: Three of us were just there using a scope. Two peregrines were seen. One definitely has no leg bands and sat on the railing during the approximately 30 minutes we were there. The other flew to the nesting box.
On April 1, Ralph reported seeing 2 peregrines back at St. Mary’s hospital. At noon Rudy was at the CTV site and saw 2 peregrines in the nest box. One was standing guard on the edge of the box and the other was head bobbing inside. One was still reported at CTV at 12:40 by Karen.
Photo courtesy of Karen von Knobloch
At 2:30 today, Martha spotted 2 falcons back at the old CTV nest site across from Grand River Hospital!! One was on the ledge of the nest box and the 2nd arrived shortly after. They both entered the box then one left and took up a watch on the drum tower. Martha also headed to St. Mary’s Hospital but no peregrines were seen. Ralph confirmed that they were rarely seen at St. Mary’s this past week. The activity from the workers and swing stage could have encouraged them to move to the CTV site.
Later on that evening Tara reported seeing one at the King’s Towers apartment building. It flew to the tower and directly into the CTV Tower nest box! The second adult circled around the apartment tower and then headed south. The larger bird (likely Mystery) flew inside the box. The team is very excited to have them back at the CTV tower!!!
Photo courtesy of Tara Hurley
The KW fledge watch team started watching St. Mary’s Hospital and surrounding areas this year. Activity was reported that the KW Peregrines were active at this hospital and sure enough they are hanging out here. Other recent sightings have been from downtown Kitchener near King and Queen Streets. No leg bands are on the 2 that were spotted this day at St. Mary’s. Likely, they are the same pair Mystery and her Mystery mate as last year. There is ongoing construction scheduled at the hospital this year and the team is concerned that this will disrupt the St. Mary’s nest site.
Ralph confirmed that there were 2 peregrines on the building, one on the far left side of the runway and the second on the platform directly below. There were no workers or swing stage set up in the area, as was the week before. Karen also checked the CTV nest site across from Grand River Hospital on King Street and saw a red tail hawk on the hospital antenna, but no peregrines in sight.
On March 22, Karen drove by St. Mary’s in the morning and sighted one adult on the ledge of the runway window. The other adult wasn’t anywhere to be seen. On March 24 Fraser also confirmed seeing one adult on the left runway in the morning.
Photos courtesy of Karen von Knobloch
