Burlington - Lift Bridge

TWO BEAUTIFUL DAYS AT THE LIFT BRIDGE

May 24, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Bill and I spent a few good hours at the Lift Bridge yesterday (May 23rd) and today (May 24th).  Yesterday, around 2:00 pm, we witnessed Mom pluck a pigeon out of the sky.  She took it to a concrete ledge under a light standard on the bay side of the Skyway Bridge to prepare it for the little ones.  Today, she went to the same area and picked up an already prepared meal and returned to feed the little ones. 

We had a third Adult Peregrine in the area today.  All of a sudden we heard a lot of vocalizing and knew that something was about.  Both birds took off after the intruder.  Mom returned a short time later but Dad was missing for quite a while, but eventually returned after making certain the intruder did not return.

With scopes and camera, we have been trying to see band numbers and today, after much deliberation, we are almost certain that the adults have not changed from last year.  We have Dad, Sir Adam Beck born in 2006 at the King Street nest in Toronto and Mom, Cirrus born in 2006 in Dayton Ohio.

Here’s hoping for a successful season.

And There Were Two

May 20, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Bill and I spent a couple of hours at the Lift Bridge yesterday and I’m very happy to confirm that we were able to see two little white heads.  Are there more?  We will keep watching.  Mom was trying to shelter the little ones from the hot noon day sun, but they still managed to escape to peer over the edge.

!!! Hatch Confirmed!!

May 08, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

CPF Postmaster Reports:

Based on the good news that we have received, we can confirm without any doubt that there has been a hatch of the first hatchling on or about May 8th.
Congratulations Burlington!

We Have A Hatch

May 14, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Paul Reynolds reports:

Just thought I should let you know that my fishing buddy Andrew, saw Mom standing on the nest ledge with two little white heads sticking up.   So, it looks as if we are on the way with the little ones.  Let’s hope for a successful year.

Saturday - May 8th

May 08, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Nothing Exciting to Report:

Bill and I spent some time at the Lift Bridge today.  Not actually at the bridge but across the road and back a fair distance where we could get a look into the nest box with our scope.  An adult was definitely in the box but there was no sign of any little white heads popping up and there was no feeding taking place.  At this site, it is very difficult to tell if we have a hatch.  We will have another go tomorrow.

!!! Nebesney looking good in Michigan USA

April 23, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

CPF Postmaster Reports:

With a huge thank you to Barb, we have a much newer photo of Nebesny that was taken April 21st and forwarded along to us from her new home territory in Michigan USA. A great shot indeed, and many thanks to Barb and all of the gang from your Canadian Friends to the north.

Importance Of Fledgling Watches Illustrated

April 22, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Frank Butson Reports:

The recent sighting of Nebesney clearly illustrates how important The Canadian Peregrine Foundation’s  Fledgling Watches are to the continued recovery of the species. Nebesney was ably watched by dedicated volunteers from the  Burlington/Hamilton area and CPF staff,in co-operation with the staff of the Burlington lift bridge.

     Nebesney was recused,in a full team effort by volunteers and CPF staff back when she was learning to fly. Im leaving out names deliberately because everyone’s contribution was equally important in her rescue. One volunteer spotted Nebesney as she had flown from a low perch on the lift bridge to the ground on the Burlington side of the pier. She was walking along the pier when spotted. Immediately the team went into action. With someone on one side of the bridge approaching Nebesney on the pier prepared to capture her,another hailed a passing boater from the Hamilton side of the canal and with the help of  the boat owner,boarded and took a position  incase Nebesney landed in the water.Armed with a net, the volunteer got close enough to be at the ready. Nebesney took flight and flew into the railing on the walkway of the liftbridge,dinging herself and flying off again before 2 approaching volunteers could effect a rescue. 3 others watched as she flew over them and hit a support of the Burlington Skyway Bridge and fluttered down to the ground. She took flight eluding the rescuers once more,before,completely out of gas hitting the canal wall and finally being scooped up by someone. Shortly after Mark Nash showed all gathered how to do a very pre-liminary examination of Nebesney. Photos were taken and the only thing noticable from the ordeal was a scuff mark on her beak. She was fine amazingly enough,much to the relief of all gathered. Later a more thorough examination was done,revealing no injury and after a period of observation and rest, Nebesney was placed on the roof of the Burlington tower to resume her flight training with her siblings and parents.

So now we have heard she has found a mate and with any luck will nest successfully,thus increasing the population of Peregrine Falcons.  The act of saving one Peregrine Falcon may result in future generations of Peregrines being hatched and raised. Who knows how many Peregrines will be added to the population in years to come. This is a great success story,thanks to all of the CPF volunteers,staff and concerned helpful members of the public.

!!! 2008 Nebesny has been spotted in Mich. USA with a mate!

April 22, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

CPF Postmaster Reports:

Hello All
We have received some great news this morning from Barb at the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division down in MIch. USA that a new female has arrived on site and setting up a territory with a 2009 male (produced in Cleveland Ohio) just north of Detroit Mich.
We have been able to identify and confirm her identity by her Black Canadian Colour marker bands and can confirm that she is non-other then “Nebesny”, a female produced in 2008 at the Burlington Bridge nest site. Banded Black 29 over Black X on July 12th 2008, weighing 907 grams – (empty crop), at approx. 29 days old.
Her mate has been identified by his band number as being hatched in 2009, named “Zeus” , dawning a Black 73 over Red B band produced in Cleveland Ohio USA.
We are all delighted to hear this good news and hope that Nebesny and Zeus are successful in their efforts.

CPF Postmaster

!!! Nebesny From the Burlington nest site has been spotted in Mich. USA

April 22, 2010 - International, National and Local News

CPF Postmaster Reports:

Hello All
We have received some great news this morning from Barb at the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division down in MIch. USA that a new female has arrived on site and setting up a territory with a 2009 male (produced in Cleveland Ohio) just north of Detroit Mich.
We have been able to identify and confirm her identity by her Black Canadian Colour marker bands and can confirm that she is non-other then “Nebesny”, a female produced in 2008 at the Burlington Bridge nest site. Banded Black 29 over Black X on July 12th 2008, weighing 907 grams – (empty crop), at approx. 29 days old.
Her mate has been identified by his band number as being hatched in 2009, named “Zeus” , dawning a Black 73 over Red B band produced in Cleveland Ohio USA.
We are all delighted to hear this good news and hope that Nebesny and Zeus are successful in their efforts.

CPF Postmaster

Still In Hard Incubation

April 17, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Bruce Massey Reports:

   Spent about 3 Hours down at the Bridge 0715-1015 Hrs.  Found a  bird @ the  nest box, a little restless, but exhibiting the Incubation Behaviour.  It actually took me about 2 Hrs before I saw the  male.  Given the cool Temperatures it wasn’t surprising that  the Female was on the eggs the whole 3 Hrs.  Will check again next Weekend.