June 13, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Day 10! Sally & I arrived to find two juvies on the nest rooftop—Nico & Sydney! They were watching Bluey over on 240–good to see all three. And before you knew it, Bluey had joined his siblings! It was wonderful to see. Dad brought a package in and Mom quickly joined him and grabbed it and flew over to the copper building. Bluey was off and around 220 and over to the copper building at the back. His siblings quickly followed suit–first Nico, then Sidney. All quieted down. Sally and I had already decided that we were just doing a half day as everyone was doing great-nothing more for us to do, other than watch them fly and learn. So we packed up, Sally’s ride came and we decided to drive around to see the kids before we left. We found the boys on the copper building. All of a sudden Dad was in the air, flying over the copper building and 225 and back. The boys were off to chase Dad! Then out came Sydnedy and joined the fun! Dad disappeared, lol and the kids had some fun chasing each other. Sydney and one of the boys settled on the copper building rooftop and the other boy went over to 225 and settled on Dad’s spot! And there we left them. What a great way to close our watch. Sally and I were thrilled.
I want to thank Sally, Marion, Mark and Bob for all their hours of help. Thanks to Carolyn for helping me from time to time. And thanks to the security at 220, Ramesh and Mano, for all their support of us and our family here. Couldn’t have done it without them!
And so ends a very successful fledge watch 2021! Sally & I will definitely be doing as many spot checks as we can before Quest moves the kids out!
Stay high, stay safe little ones! It’s been a joy watching you!
Posted on June 13, 2021 11:16 pm
June 12, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Day 9! Sally reports:
Cathy and I arrived around 9:15am and did a drive around the buildings to spot the family. Two juvies found, on rooftops, but no third in sight. We decided to do a walkabout before settling down in our usual spot in the shade by building 225.
Both parents, and juvies were facing sort of north east. It was quiet as well, and we wondered if perhaps the third juvie was further out but within their site.
Our walkabout and patience allowed us to confirm Sydney (red) and Bluey (yellow). Great to see Sydney up high on a rooftop, as this was still only 24 hours since her first flight.
Enjoyed the juvies flying but we were distracted, as fledge watchers always are, by not seeing Nico (blue).
Watched Bluey take off and realized he intended to fly east over towards Don Mills Rd. Hmmm! Well, Mystery was not having that. He shot out after him, and then Quest followed. Both parents redirected him west and back to the cluster of buildings near the nest site. Some nice flying! An attempted “J” swoop up to a roof, missed it but recovered nicely.
Still feeling bothered by Nico’s absence, we drove around again, thinking maybe we’d drive over and up Graydon Hall drive to see if we could see where Quest, Mystery and Nico’s siblings seemed to be focusing their attention. Nothing.
The time flew, and we both had other commitments for mid-afternoon, As we were packing up, Mystery surprised us by swooping in very low, circled low around the Purolator parking lot. Very strange. Must have been a hunt (lots of birds in those trees!) and he flew back to 255 copper building (his favourite perch these days), empty-handed. Oh well, we knew Nico had been flying well and Marion was coming to watch into the evening, so we left trusting we’d either hear he had appeared, or we’d keep checking for him the next day.
A couple of hours later, Marion notified us that Nico was accounted for. Yay! He’d appeared on the very top of the copper building roof. Mystery showed up and got chased by Nico and Marion reports he’s flying great. They disappeared flying towards the condos. Mystery came back at close but no Nico. Sydney and Bluey settled down on 240 for the night. No food was delivered by the time Marion left.
Should be a good day of flying tomorrow.
Sally
Posted on June 13, 2021 12:06 am
June 11, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Day 8….and Sydney is in the air!!! Yayyy! I arrived to find her where she was the night before. But before I knew it, she flew off and landed on the top of the copper building (not tippee top, but close enough)… Way to go Sydney! She flew over a short opening to the other side and preceded to explore. Her brother Niko joined her. He also checked out the surroundings, they both tested out the glass–good idea, it’s brutal and we’ve lost a few to it. Nico flew over to 225 but came back to see Sydney get fed lol. Later, Sydney took her second flight over to 240. We didn’t see where she landed, we looked but think she might have made the roof! Sally found Bluey at the back of the nest building, copying his brother from yesterday, batting trying to sit on ledge above the window like parents. He was fine. While Sally was watching him, I saw two juvies flying back to rooftop of the copper building. Out of sight but Nico popped up and was whining to mom for food. We didn’t see Sydney. I had to go, darn.
Sally reports :
Pretty quiet after you left.
Mystery brought in a large meal to 240 roof around 6pm and shortly after Quest joined him to take over
Mystery took off, I think to hunt some more.
Juvies appeared from 240 roof (Bluey) and a juvie came screaming over from the copper building, and Quest flew back to 225 roof when more food was brought in. A juvie flew after her and then quiet.
Eventually I heard juvies coming from the back of 225 and decided to move over there.
Mark and Marion had arrived and confirmed yep juvies at the back of 225 and 255 copper building roof (Nico and Bluey). Confirmed Sydney on 225.
Food brought over and prepped on a light stand at the back of the parking lot. One of the boys flew over harassing the parent before flying back to his brother.
Sydney did not fuss the entire time her brothers were being stuffed, she probably got most of the 6pm food lol
One of the juvies did a couple of flights, settling on a ledge over at 240 south west corner, the other settled on 255 roof and Sydney content on 225.
Should be an enjoyable weekend!
A good day! Keep it up Sydney and we’re almost done!
Posted on June 11, 2021 11:41 pm
June 10, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Day 7…omg…7 days lol. Super tired so… Nico is doing great! A couple of run in with small ledges, a slip while ledge hopping, windows… which he ‘batted’ on(thank you for that Nico, love it!), a beautiful ‘j’ back up to nest ledge right beside your sister! Doing great. Bluey lazed about most of the day but finally flew beautifully to top ledge 240…don’t ask me how he got back to the nest ledge cause I thought it was Nico til I looked at my pics lol. And our beautiful Sydney is the last one standing, so to speak. As it usually is, girls go last. After I left, lots of excitement. Thank you to Quest and family for waiting until there were lots of people to watch out for the kids lol. Another day by myself tomorrow but only one to watch, no problem!
Sally reports:
Bluey flew out from nest ledge, around and attempted to return but missed and recovered, landing on 240′roof. Not too long after, Nico flew over from 225 roof to join him…
Food brought to them
Sydney started ledge hopping east then settled for a bit.
Bluey and Nico were quite chilled out with full crops on 240 roof when that blue heron flew by
Sydney’s hyper alarm calling got their attention and Bluey flew out at the heron which barely diverted
He hit 225, and came to ground.
NICO blue tape flew from nest ledge out to 225, then attempted nest ledge return but ended on 240.
Bluey joined him from 225.
Bluey was released on roof.
Nico did lots of flying about, trying to join Sydney on her corner ledge and almost bumped her off at one point!
Nico flew about to copper building, 240 ledges, 225 ledges.
Bluey had popped up on the roof after his release and turtle walked from south east to southwest corner then back and flew down to join Nico for the night.
Posted on June 10, 2021 11:57 pm
June 09, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Day 6… I drove up and saw all three. Nico on the corner of the roof still, Sydney and Bluey on the nest ledge. By the time I parked the car, got my stuff, walked around the corner… Nico was gone! I first thought he had either popped down or moved around the roof. So, I got myself settled in, checked along roof lines and decided to give him some time. I would watch the two I had in sight. Welllll, I figured he was gone after the kids were screaming at mom and he didn’t pop up. Geez… Five minutes earlier and I would have seen where he had gone. I waited. Then I took a chance and did a quick walk about. It was a brutally hot day. I was dying… Sit and watch the two lol. Noon-Carolyn came to watch the kids for a half hour so I could check out around the buildings for him but no luck(thanks Carolyn!) 1,2,3…no Nico. Watched the other two just hanging out, trying to stay cool. Not the best for flying… 4….. Bob had joined me around 2, he had done some walkabouts but it was too hot. So I was starting to think about heading out to see my dad, I asked Bob about the rooftop across from the nest… He said 6 foot retaining wall -hmmmm.. And then we heard that faint, but unmistakable, beautiful sound of a juvie begging. Other two chilling… Where was it coming from?? I decided to pack up the car and drive around… And yep, he was above me THE WHOLE DAY lol. Now he was down on the roof so how would I know? I saw dad bring a huge package to the roof and found mom at the back of the building stuffing him silly!! Yayyy… Went home happy.
Sally reports:
LOTS of fly bys by Parents who circled and did some nice flights around and around all the buildings.Sydney was hopping onto nest box and doing “mini flights” off it across the ledge about three or four times , very cute!
Sydney got fed around 6:50pm but it was Bluey’s leftovers! So Bluey got fed at 5pm and 6:50! Quest babies him lol. Feeds him and just dropped to Syd and stood there while she ate. Bluey was screaming and ledge hopped to the nest ledge and knocked Quest off!
Nico left the 225 roof aiming for the copper building and bumped into the side of the upper central concrete roof,went down onto that roof, then popped up and flew back to the 225 roof ! And there they all stayed as we closed.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a cooler day so there should be more flying–Nico is doing well, he’s good! So two to go!! A good day
Posted on June 9, 2021 11:06 pm
June 08, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
When I arrived this morning, I found Nico still on the roof but Bluey had joined his sister on the nest ledge! So he has officially fledged! Quest came in with a nice package and stuffed Bluey. Sydney wasn’t interested so I believe she was fed earlier. It was a damp, muggy day, not good for flying unfortunately. And it kept raining on and off all morning. Quest flew up and sat with Nico during the hardest rain. Sally joined me in the afternoon. We watched a ‘hangry’ Nico go back and forth on the roof then nap, repeat. Sydney and Bluey did some lovely beaking, flapping, up on the box etc but no further flying by the time I had to leave. Mark, Marion and Bob joined us before then and we all got to see Nico finally get fed, by Mom.
Sally reports:
Nico did lots of back and forth flapping running, skid to a stop, repeat but that was it.
Bluey only did a few ledge hops.
Food brought to nest
same time as last night.
At close, Sydney is on top of nest box with Bluey in front.
Nico on south east corner of the roof.
So, another hot, muggy day tomorrow with chance of pop up thunderstorms. We’ll see what happens… I’m on my own for a good bit so… Hope the boys stay up… And I am ok with Sydney waiting for the cooler weather on Thursday
Posted on June 8, 2021 10:48 pm
June 07, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Day 4: Finally a fledge! But Niko got himself in quite a pickle! I arrived to find Bluey on the roof and Sydney and Niko on the ledge, under Mom and Dad’s watchful eye. Bluey was clearly hungry and not happy. Niko was quite agitated listening to his brother… But then, I think in frustration, he jumped onto the nest box! And loved it… Staying there all morning. Sydney came over to check him out… And joined him! A milestone… Siesta time came with poor Bluey still whining on the roof… Chased mom when she joined him. Then, around 130…Niko was off… Came so low across the street, just missing the bus, turned, crossing another road low(no cars thankfully or…. Shudder), then up abit, over the road again and landed, well, clinging to a hydro pole! Ughhhh… I knew if his wings touched two wires…. Omg. He tried climbing (noooooo) but settled on a wire. We got ourselves ready… And waited. So hot….finally he turned himself, tried to hop onto the light standard, slid and flew low, low over the street towards Mark and Marion. Mark waived his net at him, he landed and Mark had him! Phew… Man they do like trouble those boys lol. I then had to go but he was ok and in good hands.
LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING AT DUNCAN MILL RD: After you left, it was pretty quiet. Because of the weather forecast, Mark felt it best to put Nico back on the roof and not wait until dark.
No problem there. Shortly after I saw Bluey up on the south west corner of the nest building, and being fed by a parent. We think Nico may also have been fed. He didn’t pop up for a long time, but Quest flew up to the roof ledge and sat looking in, we presume at Nico. Then she flew up to inner roof by the satellite dish and watched down from there.
Bluey lost his footing, and flapped down and in to the southwest corner ledge. Then a while later, while trying to ledge hop he had the same issue and down another ledge. Ledge hopped east and was on a south ledge at close.
Nico at some point had hopped up to the north east corner of the roof. Then turtle walked around to the south west corner where bluey had been earlier. He was there at close.
Sydney flapped a bit but overall pretty quiet. Lots of hangry screaming near dark. She got fed at 9pm and some food taken up to Nico at 9:15. Mystery was alarm calling to the south around 9:15-9:30 and it was quite a late close this evening.
Fingers crossed for OK weather tomorrow and that all can be accounted for Tuesday morning.
Posted on June 7, 2021 11:34 pm
June 06, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Day three fledge watch : Welll no fledge but there was a rescue! The day started out just me and a quiet one. Whiny kids, so no food. Very hot, but a nice breeze to start. Dad was MIA til almost noon. Mom sat across in her spot watching the kids. At one point, one chick started alarm calling, then another then all three! A turkey vulture was around! Mom ignored it(that’s DAD’S job lol). But I have never heard the kids do that before… Learned from Dad I suspect lol. And dad was no where to be seen…. And he loves chasing them off! He showed up around noon, fly by. Then again half hour later. Sally joined me after that. Quest had in the meantime joined the kids, afternoon (late morning actually) siesta after all . Lots of complaining about the lack of food. Dad flew in, and right back out at one point. Then after he alarm called and was off. Finally he returned and I guess Quest had had enough and flew off with Dad right after her. They weren’t back when I had to leave. Bob, Mark and Marion joined us. Before I left, our little Bluey decided, despite the awful winds that had come up, to do some wingersizing and ledge walking… And yep, he slipped a bit, and got blown off and down he kinda flapped and floated, to the ground in the garden in front of the nest building, below the nest. I grabbed my trusty towel and Bob grabbed his net and we ran across the street and before Bluey knew what was happening, I scooped him up in my towel. Into the crate he went. I had to leave then but the gang tells me that he was successfully released onto the roof at dark and Mom and Dad knew where he was .. Tomorrow should be interesting… More heat, wind and thunderstorms thrown in for extra fun! ️
Posted on June 6, 2021 11:08 pm
June 05, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
DAY TWO FLEDGE WATCH DON MILLS : No fledge but there were contributing factors . Sally and I drove up to find something going on in the parking lot across the street from the nest… A pop up 2nd dose moderna drive through clinic! Well, all Sally had to say was that she hadn’t had her 2nd dose moderna and we were in line! Kids were fine.. So in no time, she was done! She called her husband… Done! I asked if my son could get it… Done! And then we settled in to watch… But Quest and Mystery were eyeing the goings on, so with that, the very windy, hot conditions, they wisely decided to feed those kids and afternoon siesta started early! It was so hot, not alot going on up there! Mark, Marion and Bob joined us late afternoon. I had to go but Marion reports that kids were fed at 6 and 820…and went to bed happy again tonight! Maybe tomorrow?? We have days of very hot weather ahead…
Posted on June 5, 2021 10:40 pm
June 04, 2021 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
FLEDGE WATCH DAY 1 DON MILLS: No fledge today! Fairly quiet day-lots of wingersizing, preening, whining at Mom for food! Parents are cutting back the portions to help them get ready to go! Big alarm call and parents were diving over the nest building roof–sure quieted the kids down! All was good half an hour later. There was only one small package delivered at noon but nothing else while I was there. I was joined by Sally early in the afternoon and we enjoyed watching the kids. Then we were joined by Mark, Marion & Bob late afternoon. A turkey vulture ventured near and the kids started the alarm calls–cute! Learning from their parents! I had to leave by 530 but Marion reported that Dad brought food at 7:15 and Quest spent the next half hour feeding the hungry kids! And then, not long after, Dad brought another feed! So the kids got stuffed and went to bed happy! A good day.
Posted on June 4, 2021 10:47 pm
