June 14, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH DON MILLS/AMEXON DAY 8:
I arrived to see a juvie flyoff the nest building and go west. Parent was off like a shot behind them. Lost sight of them, as I had just pulled up and didn’t have my bins out yet! I figured Gordon but who knows. Ted joined me for a bit. Parent returned alone or so I thought. Saw Lightfoot on the nest ledge. Up popped one on the roof of the nest building… Paige? No Gordon! Had he come from behind the building? Oh well, he’s good. Saw him do a few lovely flights. Then the parents were up alarm calling! In a frenzy… Two fledglings and one about to, total protective mode. Unfortunately the building had to go out into the “pit” on the roof (its like at least 10 feet down, too bad peregrines have such good sight!) but only very shortly. But after the last couple of days, they were on high alert. But, this lead to me finding Paige. No she did not pop up but the parents, once the guys had exited, were still circling and alarm calling.. And they went over to the other building and circled there briefly on one side. Paige? I walked over and found her on the sign there! Wow. Now that’s quite a feat, so I was impressed. They all stayed put for a bit. Then there she came flew from the sign trying to make roof of nest bldg and missed, touched off the concrete, recovered, out and back onto the rooftop! Way to go Paige!! Rooftop pair got fed for their efforts and even Lightfoot got a bit. Maybe to keep her down as it started to pour… Again. We even got a funnel cloud advisory! Really? What next on this watch?? Smoke, torrential rains, and funnel cloud advisory? Geez. As I was watching Lightfoot, all of a sudden Gordon popped up…he was back on the nest ledge with his sister and stayed there until the evening. Sally joined me in the afternoon.
This is her report for the rest of the day :
Bob joined us in the evening after an uneventful afternoon, with food brought in (and Paige eventually getting a large package) we started to pack up, joking that this would probably get the kids going. We jinxed ourselves. Wings flapped. The parents flew in circles for a bit as if to say OK time to settle. Paige and Gordon decided to fly off the ledge and slightly out and back, overlapping. Then Gordon repeated last night’s pre-bedtime flight. Over to Intel and back. He attempted to set off again but Mom was having none of it. We watched the peregrine version of a parent chastising their kid and pushing them ahead back home. He briefly pushed back and she literally kicked his butt. It was very entertaining.
Paige decided to try a flight over as well, but overshot the Intel building and soon came back over to ICICI. Mom didn’t go after her and Dad didn’t budge from his spot. She missed the roof landing but recovered really well, turning nicely and landing a little clumsily. After Mom flew out and back to a favourite ledge, Gordon snuck back across to Intel and landed for the night on a top ledge. And this time Mom watched him without budging. Surely they’d settle now, after 9pm? Nope. Paige flew again as well and dad briefly went after to check on her. She appeared OK on the top of Intel building. Talk about pre-bedtime zoomies. We closed the watch with Lightfoot unfledged, Gordon and Paige on Intel. These fledglings seem to be active mornings and evenings, just before close.
I sure hope Lightfoot goes well tomorrow… I’m a bit tired from the long days lol
Posted on June 14, 2023 11:56 pm
June 13, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
UPDATE DON MILLS/AMEXON FLEDGE WATCH DAY 7: My day started at 630am with a call from Enrique from Amexon… He had found a bird down on lowest ledge of the parking garage gate! Could it be Gordon?? I was off like a shot lol. Arrived to find Paige! Scooped her up and into the crate with the great help of Enrique! Many thanks for the continued support from him(11 years now I think??). Into the car she went and went to see how her sister was doing… I drove up and much to my delight, found Gordon on the nest building roof!!! Way to go Gordon! He must have been on the ledge over from the nest and then flew up to the roof… Amazing! So all three accounted for. Next, get Paige back up to the roof. First, I gave her a check over, talked to Mark, and a few hours rest before she went home. As more rain was forecasted in the afternoon, noon was the time. But before then, Ted joined me to take some pictures. And Gordon did not disappoint. First, he flew back into the nest ledge–I thought it was a parent! But no, he was back with his sister Lightfoot! Then after a visit, he was off… Bolted out like his dad, then back and onto the top floor ledge. Then out and over to 250, tried for a letter, missed, back to nest building, touched off the upper concrete and over to the top floor ledge corner concrete where he “batted” for a minute or so, then off and flew over to the roof of the nest building!! Wow!! Great flying Gordon.. No need to worry about him. He even flew back into the nest ledge, show off lol. Ted headed out and it was now noon. Unfortunately I had no one coming until late afternoon, so I made sure she got home. It went like clockwork. She was up, minimal upset to the parents (though they did not like the crate being left up there lol… They got used it fairly quickly). They welcomed their girl back. Lovely. Gordon joined her and they had a great time. Sally and Bob joined me late afternoon and unfortunately, more rain ruined the party. It cleared around 730pm and food was delivered to the rooftop.. A tussle ensued but they both eventually got some. Then Gordon showed them how great he can fly… Rooftop to rooftop and back. He and Paige had some fun. Then, as we call it, 9 o’clock follies! Gordon got cocky and flew over to the other building, trying to entice Paige over!! Nooo… Mom put a stop to that! So, at 9pm, sun down, he flew home trying for the rooftop, just missed and dropped, flew out and Mom was out like a shot, bumping him up and around the building they went!! A few seconds later they came around with Mom under him, bumping and guiding him to the top ledge next to the nest ledge. Whew. He walked a bit then he was pancaked down for the night. And we were done… Long day but a good one! Now I hope to see some good flights from Paige and maybe one from Lightfoot?? Just not at 6 am please.Rollercoaster of a few days and emotions Sally said and it’s so true..
Here’s to tomorrow’s rollercoaster!
Cathy
Posted on June 14, 2023 1:45 am
June 12, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH DON MILLS/AMEXON DAY 6:
Sally reports:
Monday was, as predicted, horrible heavy rainy weather. Cathy had Gordon still on the same ledge, his siblings on the nest ledge and took a break to meet me to grab some lunch. Returning to the site, with rain still falling, we couldn’t see Gordon. The usual guilt set in that all fledge watchers deal with: The time taken to wait and watch and the awful timing of needing to leave your chair and then not knowing what happened. It was so windy around the building and fog had settled in, making for very poor visibility. We alternated driving around, walking, searching and watching in the car (rain) and hoping he was pancaked on the ledge. But it was becoming obvious he was not there. The parents weren’t searching and the rain kept every winged creature hunkered down for quite some time (no hunting and food brought in either).
Eventually, when the sky cleared, the nest area came to life again. Birds flying about, and Holden and Nagata flew around and off to get food. We resumed our walkabout. At one point, Holden came to corner of the nest building and dropped in food. We had heard what sounded like a juvie a little earlier…could Gordon have possibly gained that much elevation? This corner is incredibly windy and watching the parent lift up in that area, we allowed ourselves a little hope. We waited and watched. With Cathy there I took a walk out onto Eglinton which gives a great view of that corner but without my camera, my binoculars could only make out a couple of little shapes poking up above the edge.
We needed to get back to focus on the two girls who were now up on the ledge. Yay, finally Lightfoot was in full view. No flights from the girls so we closed the watch trying to feel hopeful but disappointed we couldn’t confirm Gordon’s location.
Posted on June 14, 2023 1:38 am
June 11, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH DON MILLS/AMEXON DAY 5:
Catch up time! Sally reports:
Sunday began with more waiting, and some rain. Anticipating another day of trying not to doze off we decided to break and return when siesta time was over (otherwise we would be snoozing with the birds!).
Bob arrived before Cathy and I and was fortunate to to see a fledgling suddenly flapping down down down then lifted up by a parent and guided onto a low ledge on the nest building, facing north (perhaps a slip/accidental fledge). Cathy arrived to the news, confirmed Gordon on the ledge and I joined Bob and Cathy shortly after. Gordon didn’t do much and we had him and his siblings in sight. Paige made an appearance on the ledge, we got her band colour, and the elusive Lightfoot showed us her head from time to time. We closed Sunday with Gordon on the low ledge.
Posted on June 14, 2023 1:33 am
June 10, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH DON MILLS/AMEXON : DAY 4! Well wish I could say Gordon, at 39 days old, flew today but nope! He seemed so excited to see his sisters finally join him… Guess he’s waiting for them! Long day for us tho! Rob & Ted joined Sally and I this morning to get some pics (hoping for that fledge shot!), so it was nice to have company. Holden and Nagata treated us to some lovely flying.. Showing the kids what they will be able to do one day. After Ted and Rob left it quieted down. Dad did take down, and I mean down, a poor turkey vulture. I did finally get a picture of all 3 chicks together. And Paige finally got up on the ledge and showed us her band. Not a peregrine but Sally saw a Sharp-shinned hawk dive into the bushes(very low) and flush around 50 black birds and such into the air, then fly low practically at her, then into the bushes at the back with his dinner. So that was cool. So, will Gordon fly at 40 days? Or will Paige beat him to it? Bets anyone lol?
Posted on June 10, 2023 10:39 pm
June 09, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH DON MILLS/AMEXON : DAY THREE
Well, they are all still up there lol. The day started out very promising. Even though it rained a fair bit in the morning (much needed), smoke was gone and Gordon seemed raring to go. Lots of ledge running, flapping - a few slips but he recovered. Parents definitely not feeding much… Hungry kids! But just after the rain stopped, people arrived right below the nest ledge and set up a Barbeque. Music, people, then a kid with his dog off leash chasing a ball… Parents said no way and kept Gordon on that ledge. Sigh. Party wasn’t over until 3. Sally had joined me by then and we watched mostly just Gordon now, waiting for food. It was brought in a tiny piece at a time. And the girls got it lol. When mom landed, he went after her… He had her by her toe!!! Later when dad tried to bring in food, mom swooped in and grabbed it from him and was off! It was quite funny, tho Gordon didn’t think so. He finally got the scraps from the last of the days food drop and down he went for the night. Those girls hardly showed.. Just the one in the morning. It’s going to be a longgggg watch.
Pictures thanks to Sally
Posted on June 9, 2023 11:23 pm
June 08, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH DON MILLS/AMEXON : DAY TWO
Another smokey day(I had to sit in my car to watch, my eyes were so bad), tho the afternoon was a bit better. No fledge yet. Another day of watching Gordon get more comfortable on the ledge and pull more fluff from his body. His sibling that I believe is Lightfoot showed up about the same as yesterday, so maybe we do have 2 girls lol. The other girl we believe (Sally joined me in the evening again) was peeking over the ledge with Lightfoot. But since no legs, no ID. Parents got upset at one point as someone was on the roof of the other building but it was over quick. They sat and stared at that spot from the nest building for quite a while lol. They showed the kids a lot of flying again and even did a food exchange right in front of them… Very cool to watch and very impressed with these parents and their teaching skills. Tomorrow is calling for more smoke and much needed rain, though not the best for first fledge(or fledge watchers lol). We will see what the day brings!
Posted on June 8, 2023 11:27 pm
June 07, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH DON MILLS/AMEXON : DAY ONE
A quiet, though smokey, day. I was happy to finally see Gordon (and ID him) up on the ledge! And his sibling was just behind him(I believe it’s Lightfoot but have no proof lol), which was a big improvement over the past few days Sally and I have been checking on them. Only heads peeking over. Gordon did lots of flapping and even walked along the ledge. He still has lots of fluff on his tush but is almost ready to go. The girls(or is it one girl, 2 boys??? Time will tell) , well one especially, are going to be a while. Unless accidental… Holden and Nagata were also excited to see them up… They did some great training flights, showing them how its done and where to go. Nagata took on a turkey vulture that got too close… He’s not coming back any time soon! It was lovely to see the parents flying and being playful with each other. Sally joined me for the evening but it was pretty quiet after their dinner. Feedings are definitely less but these kids seem to be very well fed… They aren’t screaming for food or going at the parents for it… Or else they’re very well behaved! So that’s the official day one done… Hopefully the smoke from the forest fires will be better tomorrow (let’s hope for rain so they can get them under control, or out!). And maybe a fledge tomorrow
Posted on June 7, 2023 10:27 pm
May 25, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Banding day at Don Mills/Amexon!! And it’s 3 chicks for Holden and Nagata! 2 girls and a boy. Gordon, Lightfoot and Paige! All very healthy and fiesty. Our new climber John did a great job on his first trip down to the nest at this site, with Mark Nash assisting. Nagata and Holden took it easy on him(just wait for Lin, John lol). Mark Heaton and Glenn Anderson, did the banding, Marion took the stats and Sally and I documented with pictures! Great job done by all! Fledge watch starts June 5!
Gordon, male, 620g, banded C/38, yellow/green tape
Lightfoot, female, 775g, banded 25/AB, red tape
Paige, female, 920g, banded 24/AB white tape
Posted on May 26, 2023 9:26 am
May 06, 2023 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Marion Nash Reports:
Sam hatched in 2022 at the 150 Ferrand Dr. Nest Don Mills has been seen at the Scarborough Bluffs and Rosetta McClain Gardens yesterday. Thanks to a report and photos from Jason Milson and David Cooper we will be keeping an eye open for Sam and hopefully get more reports.
Posted on May 6, 2023 1:52 pm
