April 30, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I spent an hour or so at the Lift Bridge today. Sir spent the whole time sitting on the Hamilton Hydro Tower. We couldn’t spot Cirrus anywhere and we could see no movement in the box. From this observation we would assume that Cirrus is still in full incubation mode, hunkered down in the nest box out of sight. Hopefully, we will see some action soon.
Posted on April 30, 2011 6:30 pm
April 23, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I spent an hour our so at the Lift Bridge around noon. We could some a small amount of tail feathers in the nest box so we knew 1 adult was accounted for. During the time we were there, there was no sign of the second adult. We finally gave up and headed for home. Around the dinner hour we went back down and there was still only 1 adult. We searched all their favorite spots but no luck. All off a sudden, a Peregrine flew past us and went into a dive under the Skyway. He immediately disappeared again and there was no sign of him for about another half hour. Then from Burlington, we saw the adult approach from the Burlington side of pier with prey in talons. It appeared to be a Gold Finch so we assumed it had to be Sir. When we got home and Bill reviewed his photos, we determined that it was a Flicker. The female left the box and flew out to meet him, but no way was he sharing. Cirrus returned to the nest box and Sir continued his meal on the face of the Hamilton Tower. Poor Cirrus.
Now this exciting report from Big Frank from the Canadian Peregrine Foundation website. It is great news.
April 24, 2011 - International, National and Local News
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Bruce Massey was on-site at the Brampton Courthouse today and was able to positively identify the female by her alpha numeric band number. Up to this point, the pair at the courthouse consisted of a banded male and an unbanded female as reported earlier. The female is Black 36 over Black X. Her name is Truss and she was hatched and banded at the Burlington Lift Bridge in 2009. It would appear that Truss is now the resident female and Bruce was able to witness copulation and lots of vocalizations around the southwest corner of the building where there is a ledge that they appear interested in. The identity of the male remains elusive and until we have positive confirmation of the alpha numeric band number, considering all of the combinations available, we won’t speculate as to who he is. We will certainly continue to monitor the site for potential nesting and pictures of the building will follow shortly.
Please pass this along to whoever would be interested. Frank
Posted on April 25, 2011 9:46 am
April 15, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
A cold blustery day with less than ideal weather conditions, we had an opportunity to get quick peak of the hidden treasures that lye beneath a very dedicated mom who has remained tight to her clutch of eggs for the last several weeks. A big thank you to the (PWGSC) Public Works & Government Services of Canada for giving us permission to post and share this photo with you that confirms that Cirrus is in fact doing allot more than just “holding the fort”. She has been involved in full time incubation now for several weeks and the photo clearly shows that there is at least one egg. While we were able to get an visual of two plus eggs, the camera phone was simply not quick enough (or should I say the photographer was not quick enough) to capture what was actually observed, but we can confirm at least the presence of two eggs. Due to the cold winds and not so seasonal temperatures, Cirrus has been holding tight to her incubation duties and did not give us much of an opportunity to get a peak.
During our visit, the resident adult male, “Sir Adam” was out and about terrorizing the local avian inhabitants looking for a lunch while capitalizing on the strong easternly winds.
Fingers crossed that we will be soon seeing a successful hatch in the next weeks to follow.
A big thank you to the great staff at the bridge for arranging access and allowing us the opportunity to get a close-up peak of Cirrus.
Stay tuned, more to come………
Posted on April 24, 2011 10:29 am
April 09, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I spent some time at the Lift Bridge this morning. We found Sir sitting on the Hamilton Hydro Tower. We went down by the Washrooms, and with the scope we were able to see Cirrus laying in the nest box. Things were quiet while we were there, but hopefully progressing towards a successful hatch.
Posted on April 9, 2011 9:00 pm
March 29, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I visited the Lift Bridge this afternoon and we are able to confirm that incubation has begun. Cirrus was sitting on the wires with a very full crop and Sir Adam Beck was doing incubation duties. When we left, Cirrus had flown to the edge of the nest box looking in to make sure that Sir was doing it correctly. We didn’t stay long enough to see a shift change. We were able to see into the nest box from down the road. When we were there last week, both birds were visible so incubation has begun in the last week. Of course, we are not able to determine the number of eggs in the nest.
Posted on March 29, 2011 6:33 pm
March 01, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
What a beautiful sunny day! Cool by the Lake but definitely sunny. Today Bill and I stopped by the Lift Bridge at about 11 o’clock. Because of all the construction, we parked on the lake side and walked the Waterfront Trail back to the Lift Bridge. While we were walking we noticed Cirrus fly to the Hydro Tower and she landed right above us. Before we knew it, Sir Adam Beck approached and we saw them copulate. They then took off toward the Burlington Tower chirping loudly. We stood around and watched and then before our eyes a Juvenile Bald Eagle flew over our head. Quickly, Mom was in the air screaming. We watched her dive at the Eagle until it was chased right out of sight. We never did see her return.
Posted on March 1, 2011 2:10 pm
February 15, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Frank Butson Reports:
Recently Sue Adorjan got these great pictures near the Liftbridge again. The first shot is Sir Adam. All others are Cirrus.
Posted on February 15, 2011 11:39 pm
January 30, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Frank Butson Reports:
On Sunday I recieved a photo of a Peregrine Falcon that was taken at the liftbridge. Clearly not one of the resident pair,it appears to have tethers or a leash on. Local CPF volunteers have been notified and the word is out to Burlington/Hamilton birders to keep their eyes open for this bird. Please contact CPF with sightings of this bird. There is a good chance it is able to hunt on its own and a chance it could free itself from the gear,but also a chance that it could get tangled. Any further news will be reported.
Posted on January 31, 2011 2:28 pm
January 16, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Frank Butson Reports:
Vince Filteau, Sue’s husband sent these along. These were taken at the Burlington Lift Bridge on January 16th around 1:30 pm.
Cirrus is seen here eating.
Its great to know that the pair is being seen consistantly around the Liftbridge,as there has been and continues to be alot of work being done on the bridge and alot of activity around the property. Disturbances can drive birds off territory,so its great to get reports of this pair on site. Of course we especially enjoy seeing such sharp beautiful photos. Thanks Vincent!
I will be contacting the folks in Ohio,where Cirrus was hatched and banded. They will be thrilled to know she continues to thrive. People all over the world follow Peregrine Falcons in their travels,so many people will get not only valuable data from such sightings but great pleasure too.
A very full cropped Cirrus has a look around.
Posted on January 19, 2011 12:40 am
January 16, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Frank Butson Reports:
On January 16th,Sue Adorjan and her husband were lucky enough to find a Peregrine Falcon having a meal on the hydro tower,just west of the Liftbridge. From this great photo,we can confirm it is the resident female Cirrus,hatched in 2006 in Dayton Ohio.
Here Sue captured Cirrus eating. 
Finished her meal,Cirrus does something called “feeking”. She is cleaning off her beak by wiping it off. She also cleaned her talons.
Observations like Sue’s are very important as it helps with the ongoing monitoring of Peregrine Falcons. Peregrine Falcons are still considered threatened. Reports from the public help greatly to be sure Peregrine Falcons continue to recover.Thanks Sue!
Posted on January 18, 2011 11:16 pm
