June 09, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Irma reports:
The day began with Achilles, Geddy, and Jet briefly together on the upper roof elevation of the nest building but then one of them (Achilles I suspect) took off east for some more flying fun. The only one who would show his band color was the ever-cooperative Jet no matter how Bob and I tried to get a glimpse. Marta remained on the ledge one level down from the nest box but she had made her way across to the east end to get closer to her brothers. She did lots of flapping and wingercising but her parents still are giving her some food so she is still to take her first flight. She sure has a lot of volume when she gets hungry!! I think Mac fed her once just to get some peace and quiet! Just before noon, Quest arrived on the roof with a large food parcel for the two boys and the third quickly flew in to get his share of lunch. This time, with the scope, I was able to get 2 out of 3 band colors, Jet with white,Geddy with blue and by default, the third had to be Achilles as Marta screamed below. Mac showed up with a morsel for her and Quest was still near her boys so I briefly had all 6 family members in sight! A rare sight I felt privileged to see at this time. Bob just missed it as he had left for a couple of hours, After an early afternoon snooze, the three boys put on a marvelous display of their flight skills, soaring high above obviously enjoying the brisk, cool wind. Jet returned to his favorite corner of the upper roof and the other two flew off to the west in a chase-the-brother game of flying prowess. We were very impressed! Cathy arrived after work and I left her and Bob about 4:30. What a great day!
Thanks Irma! After you left, Bob & I had a quiet couple of hours-a lot of snoozing going on! Mark joined us and he went on a walkabout to see if he could get a eye on the boys while we continued to watch Marta sit on the ledge–whining occasionally if she saw a parent. Then I got a call from Mark-he found all 3 boys, lined up perfectly having some lovely brother time, on the roof on the east side of the nest building!! I hurried over to get a couple of pics before they took off. Which they did, doing some lovely flying. Then Quest came in with food and proceeded to defeather and feed the boys. Mac brought more food in so they were well fed. Quest then teased Marta, who was taking, as Mark said, a peregrine hissy fit! Boy did she scream! Quest finally relented and fed her, I think to keep her quiet for the night! It was now 9pm and things quieted right down so we called it a night. Maybe tomorrow Marta?
Posted on June 9, 2016 11:08 pm
June 08, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
I froze. Irma froze. Bob froze. But the boys loved the wind! Geddy spent the night on the 2nd floor ledge of the Harlequin building and was there for a few hours in the morning. He made a nice flight to the top of the school bldg, then went back to the nest bldg and joined his brothers!! All three are flying well, tho Achilles is by far the best! The wind is serving them well and Quest and Mac have been on hand to help them out. Now Marta on the other hand, got blown down one ledge and has spent the rest of the day there! Around 2pm mom brought food for her but first gave her a lesson in how to prepare it! Lovely e-chup chuping as Quest taught her daughter and the feathers were flying!! Not sure if she got much as mom then took it with her! Now there’s a lesson lol.
The boys then got fed, and all was quiet as they snoozed. Jet and a brother hung out on the nest roof top, flying occasionally. Jet spent most of his day on the nest roof top, always flying home! The other two were off flying about much more-really enjoying their freedom. At night fall, Jet and his brother(we tried hard but he wouldn’t show us his leg for id) were on the home roof, the other brother chose another rooftop nearby and “little” Marta settled in on her ledge! More fun flying to watch tomorrow–let’s just hope for some warmer weather…and a little less wind
Posted on June 8, 2016 10:14 pm
June 07, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
What a day with 3 boys!!! Started off fairly quietly-found Achilles on the roof with Mom, Marta in the nest box, Geddy one ledge down and Jet one ledge down from that! Geddy & Jet had figured out how to pass the pillars, so back and forth they went! Then Achilles took a lovely flight off the roof, over the parking lot to the south west, circled and flew back to the roof!! Way to go Achilles!! Bob & I were joined by Irma. Now, the other boys…both were blown down a ledge lower each! Very windy day! Mom stuffed Marta–she was fed a least 5 times today! The boys…not so lucky. After Achilles flight, Mum rewarded with a bite. Then fed Geddy, then Marta…but not poor Jet. Everyone settled for a wee nap, Achilles on the roof corner for abit, then jumped down on the roof out of sight. Mom came in with MORE food for Marta, causing quite a raucus with Jet & Geddy, causing Jet to fall another floor lower…yes the lowest floor! We had started to wonder about Achilles, so I was off looking for him, everyone else was waiting for Jet to fall when Geddy decided to try his first flight! Unfortunatly, he hit the 5th floor window on the east side of the Harlequin building(yes that favorite spot) and came down! Thanks to the lovely young ladies at HQ for finding him for us! Bob got the net on him and we got him in the crate and he spent the rest of the day in quiet comfort! So, now we have one in the nest box, one in the crate, one on the bottom floor and one MIA. Jet spent the next 4 hours or so on that ledge. Bob did escort some geese and their gosling to the river in the meantime lol. But still no sign of Achilles. Until I watched Quest, circle round and round, going over 240 building and HQ building. Hmmm. Watched her float above 240, so I went over and around(Bob & I swore we heard a faint squeeing) then watched Quest land on the roof. Next thing she is heading over to her corner at HQ….with Achilles in tow!! They landed on her corner, then she took off over to the nest building and Achilles followed-he was home!! Great flying!!! He didn’t stay too long and headed back to 240! Meanwhile, Mark and Marion arrived, and Geddy was checked over and released to the roof! He was up to the corner in no time! By the time Mark & Bob got down from the roof, Jet was down! He was quickly scooped up and up to the roof he went! My cue to go home!! Mark, Marion & Bob stayed behind til dark. But first Geddy had to fly again, of course! He ended up behind HQ! Jet stayed on the roof, Marta in the nest box and Achilles, well, he took a bit of a fit and flew, and flew and flew! Mark swears at least 5 minutes and he went FAR! Across Don Mills!!! Ended up on the Tridel building and there he was at dark. No worries about him-his flying is spectacular and he will be home when he is ready!! So tomorrow, its Geddy and Jet’s turn for some spectacular flying–just stay up boys!
Posted on June 7, 2016 10:38 pm
June 06, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 6th - 2016
A very long day indeed, with the successful banding of the 3 hatchlings from the Canada Square nest site at Yonge & Eglinton this morning, and a successful rescue of “Achilles” (Y over 26 - Yellow Tape) late this afternoon from the ground after he was blown off the nest ledge by the high winds that moved in with the cold front. Shortly there after, “Jet”, (Y over 27 - While tape) the second male took his first flight and ended up on the ledge one level below the nest ledge (5th Floor). Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more chaotic, the third male, “Geddy” (Y over 25 - Blue tape) was also blown of the nest ledge and ended up two floors down on the 4th floor ledge of the south side of the nest building,,,, almost directly below Jet!!
In less than an hour, three of the four young peregrines had become fledglings!! Well, sort of……
When we arrived, all was calm and rather uneventful. Sunny warm bright skies with some humidity. All four hatchlings were lounging in and on top of the nest box with Quest standing guard directly in front them on the nest ledge in front of the nest box. Quite a picturesque warm family moment with all the kids and mom together. Sadly although, Mac, (the new resident adult male) was no where to be found.
Shortly after our arrival, Mac - (the new resident adult male) appeared with food, and flew in to the nest ledge with a small food drop , and that’s when all hell broke lose, with screaming flapping chicks all scrambling and competing for the small morsel of food. With Quest in the middle of it, trying to divvy it up between the four hatchlings, it quickly became every hatchling for themselves and the squabbling started.
Moments later, the bright warm sunny skies quickly disappeared and swallowed up and as a cold front moved in with some very heavy gusty winds and dark over cast skies along with some very dark moisture filled clouds, and that’s when it all happened!!! We were very fortunate that Cathy Kerr was able to respond to Marion’s call and was able to stop by after leaving work, in addition to Bob who also came out to assist,, as admittedly, both Marion and I were a little overwhelmed with three of the young peregrines all on the go at the same time, this along with the heavy winds and rain that was now upon us.
By the end of the day, we were able to release Achilles back to the nest building roof top and settle Quest down, (who had taken flight moments after he had been blown off the nest ledge) flying both around and above the nest building in an obvious effort to locate him.
By dark, all four hatchlings were all safe and sound on the nest building with some altitude. The young female hatchling remained on the nest ledge throughout and eventually retired for the evening back inside the nest box. She also received several more feedings while her two brothers were left running back and forth on the lower ledges screaming and flapping for attention and food!
Quest eventually settled down and retired to her usual roosting spot across the street from the nest building while Mac disappeared once again. We still don’t know where he is hanging out of sight.
I suspect that tomorrow is going to be a very busy day!
Posted on June 7, 2016 1:20 am
June 05, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/Web_Cams/Harlequin_Don_Mills/index.htm
Posted on June 5, 2016 8:10 pm
June 05, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
What to do on a rainy day.
Posted on June 5, 2016 4:44 pm
June 05, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
All 4 still on ledge this morning no fledge yet.
Posted on June 5, 2016 10:18 am
June 04, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
Kathy, Bob and I spent a few hours on watch today just to check in on the chicks to make sure no one left the ledge earlier than expected and though there was lots of wing flapping they are not quite ready to go but very soon perhaps another couple days. All 4 seen at nest when we left and Quest just left to go hunting.
Posted on June 4, 2016 6:48 pm
June 04, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 4th - 2016
A quick look a the Duncan Mill Road nest cam and we found one of the hatchlings again utilizing the roof of the nest box to get out of the hot sun and seek out that little bit of shade in an effort to stay cool!
Its getting close to fledge time, so these last days when we have them all on the web camera are fading fast!
It will be very interesting to see of the new resident adult male Mac as he has been nick-named, will step up to the line to flight train his adopted chicks?
Stay tuned……………
Posted on June 4, 2016 2:11 pm
June 04, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Marion Nash Reports:
Ann stopped by last night and it looks like Geddy is ready to go sooner than the others so Kathy and I are going to head out this afternoon to keep an eye on him. He is jumping and flapping a lot and getting some air guess he in a bit of a Rush 
Posted on June 4, 2016 8:52 am
