June 01, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
DON MILLS FLEDGE WATCH DAY 4:
I arrived to find everyone as I left them. Litterly. Simba and Roshan asleep on nest. Tava still in same spot as last night.
One new addition, a pigeon. Poor guy hiding out under the trees just behind me. Boy did he fly through the wrong neighborhood!!
Simba and Roshan were hanging out… Roshan’s down is really disappearing fast. And Simba did an amazing jump and hover over the length of the nest ledge. He’s so ready, just doesn’t know it yet!
I was joined by Mike and he came at the right time. Tava had been down napping, but then popped up and he was off! With parent by his side, he flew to the 3rd level on the building across from the nest box. Good landing but it’s a tiny ledge. Simba was so excited to see him. Tava was figuring things out when in came a parent with food, calling to him and they took it to the nest ledge where Simba and Roshan quickly grabbed it, think Simba won out.
Well, that was enough for Tava - off he flew across the street, banked(!), flew across and landed perfectly on the nest ledge!!! Way to go Tava! Very impressive. His greetings from his siblings would have to wait, as they were eating lol. Then cutess overload as the siblings beaked and caught up. The boys hung out on the nest box roof. They were adorable.
Rob and Ted joined us.
The rest of the afternoon was pretty quiet. But the parents helped to entertain us by bringing in multiple feedings.
Ted and Mike had to go so Bob, Rob and I settled in for the evening.
And boy, did we have fun!
We watched as both parents took out a turkey vulture and then Mom went after some Canadian geese again lol.
Then, Simba took off! He headed next door, Mom was with him like a shot! He banked and went in between the buildings, and Mom guided him to the top floor of the nest building, northwest corner!! Way to go Simba!! What a fantastic first flight! All that practicing off the nest box paid off big time.
Now as he left, Tava got so worked up… And he took off. Not as good a flight as his brother but landed next door, 3 levels down, again clinging to the window then dropped down. He could see Simba.
In the meantime, Simba finally did the ledge walk! Went right along until he was across from Tava. And then Tava tried to get to him. Twice and missed and went back to the same ledge. Then a third attempt. He was so close, I mean inches from making it, but no. Dropped, recovered and went back across. Now, Mom said enough, and brought him food and beak fed him until he was stuffed.
She then took some more food to Roshan. So Simba ledge walked home! And got a lovely beak feeding from Mom. She stuffed both of them and took the rest off for a well deserved meal for herself.
Tava was down for the count. And so were Simba and Roshan, so we called it a day. A very good day!
Looking forward to seeing the boys do some more good flights. Roshan is no where near ready… Going to be a long watch I think!
Unfortunately lots of rain for tomorrow during the day so might not see much but… They’ve been wrong before
Stay tuned…
Cathy
Lots of pictures!
The first of Tava’s flight home are from Mike. Some from me and some from Rob!
Enjoy
Posted on June 21, 2024 9:29 pm
May 31, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
DON MILLS FLEDGE WATCH DAY 3:
I arrived to find Tava had flown again and was now down on the 2nd level. We watched him ledge hop all morning.
Simba and Roshan hung out together all day. Simba did some very great practice flights from the top of the nest box right across the ledge… Very smart of him.
Bob, Rob and Ted joined me in the morning. Ted had to leave around noon, Bob left to let his dog out and Rob and Ivy went to get us some lunch.
So I was by myself when Bellatrix came into the nest box. Tava was directly below, 3 floors down. He hadn’t been fed, so he got very excited. I watched him with wings out looking up, then he was down, a gust of wind took him! Saw him directly below on the walkway. I headed over, towel in hand. I went straight to him, he saw me and took off… Now the walkway is surrounded by glass. So he turned and flew very low down the walkway. A woman came out of the building and was walking away from us. Tava was headed straight for her. I called out.. Miss! Can you please move over… She turned, screamed. And Tava stopped dead in his tracks lol. Of course I say, great! Can you please just stay there while I grab him? She screams noooo and turns and runs away!! I had to laugh.
Now Tava has a clear path and is off low again to the end and stops at the glass. A lovely woman was coming up the stairs so I asked her if she could please wave at him. She did. And I had him! I thanked her for helping me rescue a peregrine falcon.
I checked him over and he looked good. So he had a time out. Meanwhile Rob and Ivy had returned and saw the tail end of the rescue. Bob returned and we got Tava up to the roof. Mom and Dad immediately alarm called and swooped around but we were quick. And Tava was even quicker… The second we were up the stairs, he was out, called out to his parents and all was good. Dad brought him a pigeon and we didn’t see him again for close to an hour lol.
Shortly after that, Simba and Roshan were delivered a nice package.
So, it’s 830…all good right? No, Tava decided to make another flight, Mom was with him in a flash and steered him onto the building next door where he first clung to the window before dropping down on the ledge. She stopped him from heading off to the ravine. Great job Bellatrix! She then went and checked on the other two before settling down to watch both ledges. And there we left them for the night. All high and safe.
Long day, but a good one.
Hoping for some good flights tomorrow… Maybe one from Simba too???
Posted on June 21, 2024 9:10 pm
May 30, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
DON MILLS FLEDGE WATCH DAY 2:
And we have a fledge!
I arrived to see parent fly off with the remains of breakfast. All 3 were quiet on the ledge.
Ted, Bob and Rob joined me over the morning. We were watching Mom come in on the nest ledge when Tava jumped on Mom and then both slid off the ledge! Off Tava went( he had no choice). We lost him behind the trees for a few minutes but up he popped on the Purolator roof!
We watched him there for abit before he took off across the street and landed behind the building across from the nest, first level. Super low.
Ted and Rob had to go so Bob and I settled in to watch. But one photographer stayed a bit longer and got a bit too close. Bellatrix was over like a shot, checked quickly on the ledge with Tava (!) and then swooped… I ran out(we were under cover of a tree) and got him out of harms way and she left. Don’t mess with her kids! Later a poor gentleman was just taking a picture with his phone but got too close and she was there before I could tell him but I got him out of the way and she left. Way to go Bellatrix!
For the next 3 hours Bob and I watched him test out the windows (over and over), pace back and forth, listen to his family and check it all out.
Finally, he was off! Low, past us, behind the bushes and trees. We lost him but were right behind. Quickly checked the roads… And I saw Bellatrix fly over me then back to the corner of the nest building and there he was, one level down from the nest ledge! Way to go Tava!! Fantastic flight. Gained great height and landed well. His siblings were happy to see him, even if it was a level down.
Those two we were so quiet all afternoon, thank goodness. Not easy watching 2 different spots and they cooperated beautifully.
Ted, Rob, Ivy and Mike joined us for the evening.
At one point, Canuck started alarm calling and then flying back and forth, down and around the nest and Tava… I ran to check what the heck was going on… And saw a nice couple walking their dogs in front of the building! Canuck wasn’t having it. I called them across the road. They said that they walked there every day but I explained that there were now kids in the air so they are now hyper vigilant. Quest was the same way… And she got very close to hitting the dogs. Like mother, like son
Tava rested, then decided to ledge hop back and forth for a while. Unfortunately, at one ledge the occupants noticed him and spooked him. He froze between ledges. And was still there at dark.
At bedtime, the parents brought food to the kids on the nest ledge but Tava got none. He was in an unsafe spot so perhaps that is why he did not get fed. Hopefully he will move in the morning and get a nice big breakfast.
Simba and Roshan were stuffed and went to bed happy.
Simba… You’re up tomorrow!?!
Cathy
I’ve started the pictures with Ted’s sequence of Tava’s accidental fledge and then added a few of my own.
Posted on June 21, 2024 8:54 pm
May 29, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
DON MILLS FLEDGE WATCH DAY ONE:
We have one boy really ready to go, one boy almost and one girl not ready yet lol.
I started out by myself this morning but was joined shortly by Bob, Rob and Ted. Even Carolyn dropped by to say hi.
It was a very windy, cool day. Roshan, the girl, was very shy as we didn’t see too much of her really. The boys took centre stage. Both made it up onto the nest box - spent most of the day there actually. They did lots of wingersizing, beaking(so cute), calling for food. Ted managed to get a couple of great pictures of Tava jumping up the wall lol.
Mom brought in one small package which Tava grabbed and ate himself!
Then finally, at the end of the day, both parents brought in food, mayhem ensued but the kids were stuffed first by Mom and then by Dad.
Even though no fledge, it was a good day.
Posted on June 21, 2024 8:28 pm
May 13, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
And, as Marion wished…
Banding day at Don Mills :
It’s 2 boys and a girl for Canuck and Bellatrix! The day started gloomy and rainy but by the time we got to the roof, the sky brightened and the clouds even parted for a bit. John our wonderful climber got the chicks out quickly and into our banders Mark Heaton and Eva Boback hands. And as also a Marion wish, Ted and Rob were there to name them. Roshan from the building named the 3rd. All went smoothly and we have 3 healthy chicks!
Boy, 660 g, C/48, blue tape named Simba
Boy, 660g, C/49, red tape named Tava
Girl, 810 g, 32/AB, white tape named Roshan.
Thanks to John, Mark Heaton, Eva and Sally for your great help and support.
Posted on June 21, 2024 6:25 pm
May 10, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Hello All
It is with incredible sadness and extreme sorrow that I must report that Marion has lost a 4 month battle with lung cancer and has passed away at the Scarborough General hospital at age 62. Marion passed away and took her last breath while holding her in my arms and I can’t tell you how much I will miss her! I have never in my life felt so much pain and heartache..
Marion made me promise before her passing that there be no fuss or funeral and wished to be cremated. She asked that I spread her ashes in northern Ontario in a special place where we had spent most of our free time together, in a special place surrounded by nature and the animals that we both love so much.
Marion and I have been together for over 42 years, she was my school sweetheart, my girlfriend, my wife, my lover, my hunting partner, my scuba diving buddy, my first mate, the love of my life, my sole and life mate and so much more!
For the first time in my life, I just can’t find the words.
Mark Nash
Posted on June 15, 2024 5:47 pm
April 25, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
And it looks like at least 3 little ones for Canuck and Bellatrix!
Posted on April 27, 2024 4:28 pm
April 21, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Congrats to Canuck and Bellatrix on a hatch(es?)!! I’ve been checking for the past couple of days and knew that it was close, so I headed over today (I have a cold and thought might as well sit in my car watching lol). I arrived and Canuck brought in food, I’m thinking yayyy I’ll see a feeding right away, but nope. Bellatrix said nicely but firmly, no thanks and he left. Three hours later, Canuck came(3rd time), no food but up popped that sweet little head! So one for sure, but as Marion always says, it’s like wack-a-mole lol. Could be seeing 2. Well, time will tell and I’ll be watching!
It was great to see Bob too as he stopped by to check.
Stay tuned
Posted on April 27, 2024 4:17 pm
March 26, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Update on Don Mills : Canuck and Bellatrix are down on eggs! I’ve seen both of them in the box since last week. Unfortunately we cannot see in the nest box so we don’t know how many. Hatch watch starts in a little less than a month!!
Posted on April 27, 2024 3:22 pm
March 14, 2024 - Toronto - Don Mills
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Lucie reports:
I am beyond thrilled to write this post! This fantastic photo was taken by Scott Farquharson in Oshawa. Thank you Scott!!
This is VELCRO, a 2018 hatch from Duncan Mill and son of QUEST and MYSTERY GUY (I love the look on his face as though he lifted his leg for us to see the info LOL) VELCRO had us watchers totally gobsmacked! He is one of four boys and was the first to fledge, very quickly becoming a pro. He even assisted his parents when they were encouraging the others to leave the ledge. When one of his brothers finally took flight and started to veer off course, it was VELCRO, not mom or dad, who flew out to help bring him back! We had never witnessed this before!
We are thrilled that VELCRO has been spotted and identified and hope to see him with a family of his own! For anyone who wants to see the reports from 2018, just type VELCRO in the search bar. Cheers, Lucie
Posted on April 27, 2024 3:08 pm
