June 24, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 24th - 2013
Today was one of the hottest days in the year so far with almost record high temps and debilitating humid-x!
Despite the heat, both fledglings were more active than you might have expected today with Luna really demonstrating her ability to not only hold her altitude, but she is now investigating the world around her.
While Luna is still a typical fledgling, (with some good landings, and some not so good landings), she clearly has mastered sustained flight and no longer of high risk of coming to the ground and needing to be rescued- (provided of course that she stop crashing into windows)!! By the end of the day today, she had flown much farther in sustained flight almost out of sight to the west having landed on the roof top of a large gray rooftop. Quest closely followed her and the two of them they spent more than 30 minutes together perched on the roof top far out to the west. Satisfied that Luna was not in any trouble, Quest later left her on the roof and eventually flew back to the nest building and watched over Carina.
Throughout the day, Luna had half a dozen very good flights to some of the surrounding upper roof top elevations clearly demonstrating that she has gained the confidence and mastering controlled flight. On one occasion, she ending up on one her flights miscalculating her landing, and slipping down into one of the balconies on the copper/pink coloured building next to 225 Duncan Mill road building. After spending 15 minutes out of our view down in the enclosed balcony, she finally re-appeared on the leading edge of the balcony and eventually flew out no worse for ware.
Throughout the day, Kendal brought in several very fresh kills, and for the first time this season, I witnessed his hunting skills and incredibility ability to simply take a pigeon out of the sky with little effort as he simply passed over the pigeon while in flight and snatched it out of the sky.
Carina on the other hand, (while still holding her altitude) has not yet regained her confidence after colliding with the window several days ago, and although has made a half a dozen short flights from building to building (between the 220 and 240 Duncan Mill road buildings), she is still sticking very close to the nest building preferring to favour the 240 Duncan Mill road building ledges. She has yet to gain any real altitude beyond the mid way elevation. Both fledglings have been fed today and Quest and Kendal have been very attentive indeed.
It has been incredibility funny to see the two mindsets of the adults over the past week, as Kendal brings continues to bring in fully feathered - unprepared kills (several have been very much still alive) and deliver them to the fledglings. When Quest has sighted him, she has quickly flown in screaming at the top of her lungs and snatches the unprepared food offerings from both Kendal AND the fledglings and flies off with the food to properly prepare it, then returns to feed the fledglings with the prepared food.
On several occasions, Kendal has slipped in un-noticed by Quest, and simply dropped fresh kills and unprepared food offerings, (some have been retrieved cashes) and simply dropped them off in front of the fledglings and flown off. Luna has now figured out what to do them and is starting to eat on her own, while Carina is still confused as to what to do them. She screams, jumps around on the them until Quest attends and feeds her beak to beak.
By the end of the watch today, both Luna and Carina were perched on the window ledges (one atop of each other (on separate window ledges) on the east side of the 240 Duncan Mill road building. Both Quest and Kendal had flown over to the Thales building to the south east and remained there until dark. Luna had lied down on he ledge was hunkered down for the night while Carina remained standing tucked into the corner of the ledge.
A huge thank you to Donna Hays and all the Harlequin staff for their incredible support, Sally, Karen and others that have have given up their lunch hours and brakes to come out in support, and to Murray and Bob who have also been out covering my back and helping out on the fledge watch,,,, and to Fred from the Redborne Realty management group and their security that has been incredibly supportive and understanding with us invading their facilities and roof tops to do releases. A big thank you to Berkley property management group, their security team, the board of directors and business owners at 220 Duncan Mill road for allowing us accesses to their facilities.
A GREAT TEAM INDEED!!!
Stay tuned……
Posted on June 25, 2013 7:02 am
June 23, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 23rd - 2013
Well, if you were looking for a free sauna bath and/or wanted to loose a little weight through sweating, you needn’t have gone much further than just outside of your front door today! While almost debilitating for most on the fledge watch crews, if you were outside on the fledge watch today, you don’t need me to explain what its like to be 16 hours standing out in the streets today!
While most inexperienced falcon fans would have told you that the young juveniles would not have flown today given the extreme heat and humid-x conditions, nothing could be further from the truth, as several of the young juveniles fledged today for their first flights at two nest sites, while many of the other young juvenile peregrines took to the skies despite the extreme heat and humidity.
I guess that these young peregrines have not reading the same books that some have been reading, or they simply haven’t read the e-mail or memo’s.
Today, the Duncan Mill road fledglings were active, as were both Quest and Kendal. Donna reports that Luna decided to follow in her sisters footsteps, and did her own face plant into one of the office tower windows.
Unlike her sister Carina’s collision with one of the windows this past Friday, Luna didn’t come to the ground and was able to regain her posture and fly off to safely land on a window ledge across the street.
By 9:30pm, both of the fledglings has been fed and tucked down on a window ledge, with Carina on the back side of 220 Duncan Mill Road - (the nest building) and Luna tucked down on a west facing window ledge on the 240 building.
Also, there seemed to be rumour going around that the fledglings has not been few much (or at all yesterday), but that is simply not the case.
Both Bob and I watched three feedings yesterday evening alone, as Quest grabbed both food from poor Kendal and fed both fledglings, and on another occasion, grabbed food away from the hatchlings, - (that Kendal had delivered directly to them), flew over to another ledge, (prepared it) and them flew back over to the fledglings (who were both waiting together on the same ledge, and proceeded to feed them). **See Photos taken by myself that I have attached to this observation report.
Interestingly, history has repeated itself again this year with regards to Kendal’s activities, along with a twist with regards to Quest’s night time roost. By 9:15pm, with both of the fledglings settled in for the evening, both Quest and Kendal had flown over the Thales building to the south east, and had perched on one of the window ledges. They remained there into the darkness as we closed down the fledge watch for the evening.
Also worth noting, that despite Kendal’s best efforts to provide food to his daughters, each and every time he has delivered food directly to them, (when Quest watching), as soon as Quest witnessed the event, (twice this evening, and more than dozen times throughout this past week), she was very quick to fly in and take it from the girls and flew off to ‘prepare it”, and only then would she return with the prepared food and feed it to the fledglings. Both fledglings are still for the most parts being beak fed by Quest. In contrast, Kendal simply drops unprepared food off to the fledglings and flies off, obviously believing that they actually know what to do with it.
Neither of the fledglings have not figured out what to do with the food (let alone unprepared food) that has simply being dropped off and left for them.
It would appear that although Carina is still a little flight shy after her collision with the window this past Friday, she has now taken four short flights back and forth from building to building. I’m sure that she is still bruised and likely experiencing some discomfort as a result of the impact with the window. In addition, this type of thing knocks the confidence out of them, and we are seeing her having to build up her confidence again before she will be flying high again.
The better news, is that she is holding her altitude quite well and back in the saddle again as they say, this time being far more cautious and not so reckless. Her sister Luna has also just learned a valuable lesion and also seems far more cautious inn her flights this evening.
Last but not least, for anyone that has learned to fly an airplane, one of the first lessons I was tough when training for my private pilots licence, was about air density. Hot humid moist air is actually less dense, and lift is far more difficult in these conditions as opposed to colder less humid air.
Most of the birds flights this evening, (including that of the parents) was far more laboured today given the extreme temperatures and the high humid-x.
Let alone, physical difficulty with breathing this ugly hot humid air!
Stay tuned……….
Posted on June 24, 2013 3:01 am
June 23, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Ann Brokelman Reports:
At 5:30 Donna H, my daughter Julie and I observed both juveniles at Don Mills on 240. Carina was in the same spot as yesterday - and Luna was very low on the building. No sign of adults.
Luna took off and flew across garage and into the window on the east side of the nest building, did an about face and flew down the road going east and around the pink building. We found he on top of the south wall of the pink building. She seemed to be fine.
Shortly after Kendal came in circled the building and landed on Harlequin, flew to ledge above Carina, flew to east side of nest building then back to the top of 240.
Immediately Carina started to call, flap her wings and then she took a poop and off she flew - across the garage and around the back of the building landing safely on the north side of nest building. She was sitting there panting. YES we were very very excited.
We had to leave but Murray and Deb arrived for watch.
Murray watched Carina get fed by Kendal (finally)
and Deb watched Luna still on pink building flapping her wing.
Posted on June 23, 2013 8:45 pm
June 22, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 22nd- 2013
Hi Mark just thought I’d give you a run down for today up until I left you guys.
Ann was there when I arrived at 10:30 and found Carina who had made it from the 220 roof to a ledge on west side of 240 (where she remained all day, not being fed at all). She screeched on and off for food/attention, and a few times ran back and forth with wings out.
Luna did some flying back and forth from 225 to 240. Got rewarded with food each time. Favoured the south west corner of 240 building for most of today. At one point when she flew across to the roof of 225 one of the parents brought her a live bird (Ann got a terrific photo clearly indicating flapping wings of the prey after the food transfer).
Before Ann left we saw Kendal take food to the nest box, have a bite, clean his talons before the chattering broke out and he was shooed away by Quest who spent quite a bit of time there during a pretty heavy downpour.
Murray and Debbie had a quite a few people from their Nature group stop by for quite some time. More probably would have joined them if the rain hadn’t come in waves with a couple of thunder claps. Rain quite heavy at times with Luna stretching out her wings “appearing” to enjoy it but maybe just experiencing a new sensation.
I thankfully wasn’t on my own for too long each time and while I was only saw Luna fly once across from 225 to 240 building, and then to the pink glass building on the south side (where she was still when I left). She’d flown over to get food from Quest.
An interesting day where I got to see Kendal bring food but Quest taking over feeding (at one point a lot of beak to beak between her and Luna) and poor little Carina seeming to want to fly but perhaps either a bit bruised or lacking confidence, or both. And definitely a battle of wills with the parents not giving in to her demands.
Sally
Posted on June 23, 2013 12:04 pm
June 20, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Hi there, just thought I’ve give you an account of my observations this evening regarding Carina. After flying back and forth from the building east of 225 Duncan Mill and 240 Duncan Mill, she flew again to the east of 240 Duncan Mill and reached the east side of the roof, did lots of head bobbing and then flew again towards the ravine, circling back and the last we saw she was on the south east corner of 240 Duncan Mill, 2nd ledge from the top at around 9:30-9:40pm.
Earlier, when she’d reached the upper roof of 240 Duncan Mill, it was awesome watching Kendal pick up a prepped bird, and move it from beak to talons mid-flight as he crossed over (enticing Carina?). First time seeing that for me. Quite the acrobat!
Sally
Posted on June 23, 2013 10:41 am
June 21, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 21st - 2013
Hi Mark
Attached are a few pictures from today’s 10:45am rescue on Carina Y/70 that you asked for. She hit the 7th floor window and fell to ground level.
Karen
Posted on June 23, 2013 10:30 am
June 21, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Postmaster Reports:
June 21st- 2013
Hi. Thought you guys might like this pic of Mark checking out Carina after she crashed into one of our 7th floor windows here at Harlequin. We ran down as soon as we heard the loud crash/thud, and found her sitting by a picnic table at the east side of our building. Two of us managed to scoop her up in a towel, and Mark was right around the corner. Phew!
Kathryn Bailey
Posted on June 23, 2013 10:13 am
June 22, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Ann Brokelman Reports:
Started my watch at Don Mills on Saturday at 8am. All peregrines were on 240. Luna at the top dancing by the pole. Kendal in usual spot, Quest just at the front of the building.
Took some time but finally Carina popped her head up. Totally relieved as she had a nasty window strike the other day.
Luna is flying very well from 240 to Harlequin and back. Kendal came in with live food (a starling) and Luna took it from his beak and starting jumping up and down and flapping her wings. The starling was also flapping wings. Luna started to pluck the feathers of bird. The next feeding by Quest to Luna had Quest beak feeding Luna. Amazing.
Carina sat on her ledge but finally by lunch was walking back and forth. Preening, pooping, stretching. No flight, no food. Hopefully later on.
One last note Luna love the rain. She loves to run up and down ledge flapping her wings in the rain. Also love the pole on the SW corner of 240.
Fly safe little ones. No sign of Kimani. Parents were with Luna and Carina the whole time.
Posted on June 23, 2013 9:30 am
June 17, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Ann Brokelman Reports:
A few photos over the past week at Don Mills Sight.
Some great flying by Luna
A few shots of the Missing Kimani
And Carina on the ledge.
I have observed some very interesting sights. Luna love the rain. It starts to rain and Luna starts flapping her wings and dancing up and down the building.
Such a great sight.
Posted on June 23, 2013 9:06 am
June 21, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 21st - 2013
You wouldn’t believe me even if I had the energy and time to get it all written down! I can hardly believe what we have all just been through in the last 96 hours!!
In short, both of the young fledglings at the Duncan Mill road nest site are still both alive, and a little healthier, wealthier, and hopefully wiser! They have survived to live another day, and as the old saying goes, what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,, - (or something like that) - I think?.
Carina successfully rescued after colliding with the window and Luna flying like a pro!!!
Story to follow.
Today started out like most days during the fledge watch, alarm goes off at 4:00am, hit the snooze five or six times, and finally into the shower, shave utilizing the wet razor, while drinking the morning coffee simultaneously. Find some clean cloths in the darkness, grab your stuff and rush out the door.
On the way into the fledge watch, you grab another coffee at Tims, and pray that you can get on site before any real light comes up so that your fledglings are in the same spot that you left them five hours ago.
The mobile phone rings, and the person on the other end of the line explains that there is a injured falcon trapped behind their glass balcony several miles away from you current position (in the opposite direction to which your going). Out of cigarettes, Darn!!!, now your really rushing, but the hope that this report actually pays off and the missing fledgling might be found! A quick U-turn, (hope that there is no cops around) and 20 minutes later having gone in the wrong direction, your at the location where you might just get lucky, find your missing fledgling and save a life to day.
Up to the callers apartment, out on the balcony, you find a young recently fledged American Kestrel half covered with white down that is huddled down in the corner looking pretty terrorized. You quickly realize that its not the bird that that you had hoped to find. Then comes the long explanation to the caring folks that its not the fledgling that your looking for! Scoop it up and get it to the upper roof area so its parents can find it.
Back in saddle again, finally on your way to your original destination. Now the light has come up and your stress level is elevated another few notches. Finally on site, park, get your bins, out the car door and walking around to view the last known location of the fledglings that you left them at them at five hours ago.
Crap!! There both gone!! Your stress level has now climbed another five notches! 40 minutes later and what seems like several miles of searching, you have finally located both of the fledglings. Thank god!
Back to the car, unload the rescue carrier, brake-out the radios, grab the rescue towels, the folding chair. Don’t for get your coffee! More than several trips back and forth from the car to the set up position. Crap, forgot the binoculars, no there’re around your neck!! Back to the set up location. By this time, both fledglings are gone again and the search is on - AGAIN!!!
Stress level, up a few more notches! Crap,, forgot to get cigarettes!! 20 minutes later again, you have finally located the two fledglings again, one high and one low. Everything OK again!
10:30am, fledglings are screaming around all over the place, sustained flight, but really getting fast and really reckless!! Parents are also stressed! Your stress level is elevated yet again!
Moring traffic is heavy, everyone is speeding and in a huge hurry to get to their destination! The fledglings are speeding around, high and low, around the buildings - in and out of sight! Hope that some help arrives soon. Your stress is elevated yet again!
The stage is now set for an accident waiting to happen, and your pray that you can get through another day without any further mortality! Patty arrives, thank goodness there is help. Thanks Patty!!!!
Sun Life centre calls - Bloor & Islington, bird down! Call fledge watch team and give directions as to where the bird was last seen.
10:45am, both fledglings are again out of sight, and your worst fledge watch nightmare becomes a reality, as you are greeted by Sally and Karen carrying a towel, followed by the amazing Harlequin Rescue Squad as I have am now calling them!
Carina, one of the young Duncan Mills fledglings has crashed into the window on the east side of the Harlequin building and dropped like a bag of potatoes several stories to the ground. the collision with her hitting the window is so loud inside the building, alerts workers two floor up and one floor down.
Carina, rescued, (in the bag, safe and sound as we say). Quick examination, (although initially stunned by the collision), no broken bones, no blood and now she’s really got an attitude! Good news!!! Healthy and lots of fight!! A short hold over in a darkened quiet place (with air conditioning I might add), to allow her to calm down and de-stress. One final check and a detailed physical examination to ensure that other delayed signs of trauma has not manifested, and with ground watchers in place, she’s released back on the nest building roof.
Quest and Kendal both on hand to supervise her release. Not exactly happy campers I might add.
Back to the sidewalk, and the phone rings, another fledgling down at another location and bird needs to be rescued. Damn, that’s three birds now down so far today at two other locations.
Rob does rescue of downed fledgling at the Etobicoke Sun Life Centre fledge watch for Bruce, as Bruce has been pulled to go to the MEC fledge watch to closely monitor yet another young fledgling that is not doing so well and looking like it going to need to be rescued a fifth time. Tracy has had to leave the MEC fledge watch and get back to the William Osler fledge watch as the young hatchlings there are ready to go.
Call Tracy at the Osler fledge watch to call the vet to advise him that we are bring in at least one, (maybe two) injured fledglings that are in need of care. He’s now rushing in to accept that emergency.
Phone rings, Kitchener calling, CTV needs to attend their roof top to do emergency repairs to their roof top air conditioner, looking for advice as to how to proceed. Call Rudy at Kitchener fledge watch and advise of some potential challenges. Consult with CTV as to the procedures and protocols so they can get repair people and other tradesman to the roof. Fledge watch team back in place just in case fledglings are spooked and come to the ground.
Luna at Duncan Mill flying well, (all over the place)! Holding her altitude and now gaining altitude without much effort. Landing high on other roof tops and demonstrating some really good landings, (well, in a matter of speaking), she not crashing into things on her landings.
Cathy calls from ICICI nest site, one juvenile,, little Lucky, (now ledged) doing good, while his sister still not fledged but very active on the roof ledges atop of the nest building.
Marion calls from the Canada Square fledge watch at Yonge and Eglinton, first fledged, down low and looks like another rescue in the making.
Carina stays on the roof for the balance of the day and night. Further checks from the Eagles nest (Donna’s office at Harlequin) from elevation to see if we can see Carina is still OK as we have not seen her since her release four hours earlier. On the second check at around 9am, we finally spot her still on the nest building roof struggling to get enough momentum and height to get up to the ledge of the roof top retaining wall. But, still looking really good, lots of energy and very active indeed.
Management group calls from the Yellow pages nest site in Scarborough, young juveniles are ramping up and fears of fledging - (likely falling or getting blown off the ledges as they are now running the ledges). Call David who is expected to be on site soon to organize and coordinate fledge watch team.
Bruce calls and we arrange a meeting place to pick up one of his injured (not so active) rescued fledglings that Rob rescued from Etobicoke earlier. She is unable to stand, blood soaked mouth and very laboured breathing. He’s delayed, as he still another earlier rescued fledgling that he needs to get back to the roof top at the Etobicoke Sun life centre nest site.
Stay tuned, there’s plenty more to come…….
Posted on June 22, 2013 1:29 am
