November 18, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
Frank Butson Reports:
While out doing some birding near Tommy Thompson Park, Cori and I decided to stop and check up on what was happening at Hearn. Upon arrival we immediately spotted the shape of a bird on the roof level. With binoculars at the ready we quickly ID’d the bird as being an adult Peregrine Falcon. It clearly had a full crop, so had eaten very recently and thus didnt do much of anything during our visit, but sit and enjoy the warmth of the sun. There was a good deal of activity in the area, but the bird which I believe was male, after reviewing the photos, was not bothered at all. We left him as we found him. Periodically over the winter, I will check in on this location.
Posted on November 18, 2012 5:21 pm
October 17, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
CPF Volunteer Reports:
Oct. 17th - 2012
A quickly update on the Hearn peregrines today. I was able to spend some time at the Hearn power plant today and was again lucky enough to catch both resident adults very active hunting off the large smoke stack today.
With sad news about the original unbanded female who was injured this past summer just before her young fledged. As you may recall, she was rescued of site and taken into rehab in an effort to treat her injuries. Sadly, she eventually had to be euthanized and put down due to the extent of her injuries.
The resident territorial adult male named “Peter” hung in all summer and was successful in caring for his three offspring and although he worked overtime trying to feed both himself and the three fledglings, (in addition to fending off the many intruders that challenged him for the territory), he was successful in raising all of the fledglings by himself.
Peter, (the same resident adult male of two years) is still very much on territory, and as we have documented, and has attracted a new female mid summer time that has stayed on territory with him to this day.
While it appears that the young fledglings have long since dispersed and can no longer be found, (typical at this time of year), both adults are sticking tight to the plant and it would appear that neither are going to migrate or leave the territory this winter.
Desmond
Posted on October 18, 2012 11:36 am
August 04, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
Bruce Massey Reports:
I stopped by the Hearn site yesterday to see whether the juveniles were around and the status of the new adult female on site. I was unable to see any of the young ones but the area provides lots of opportunity for them to explore and find food so I suspect they were out and about. The adults were both on the north side of the Hearn facility on the hydro towers. I pulled out the scope and watch the female for a while and when she preened, I was able to clearly see that her right leg was unbanded. I will continue my investigations to confirm this observation and hopefully catch the kids when thay are home.
Posted on August 5, 2012 9:52 am
July 29, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
Bruce Massey Reports:
Yesterday, my last and final stop on the tour was at the Hearn Generating Station to check up on Peter and his three strong fliers. When I arrived, there was an adult bird on the plant to the east on one of the towers that I initially thought might be Peter, the resident male. A sweep of the nest area revealed Peter sleeping in the iron gridwork of the structure which meant that the bird to the east was the unidentified adult female that has been seen at the site recently attempting to court Peter and claim the territory that is now void of a female. There was no sign of the youngsters, Dark One, Dolly or Tiny, but in such a prey rich environment down on the lakeshore, I am sure they were off exploring and trying out new skills. Peter has done a fantastic job in caring for and defending his family and for a young male of 2 years of age, he has learned and gained invaluable life skills that will make him very successful in years to come. I will continue to observe the site and try to identify our new female in the territory!
Posted on July 29, 2012 10:27 am
July 22, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
Bruce Massey Reports:
The last stop on my east end sweep of nest site checks on Sunday brought me down to the Hearn Generating Station for a check on Peter and his three young ones. As you may recall, this site is now a single parent family with the loss of the unbanded resident adult female to an injury. We have been watching Peter closely and he has been a super dad. He has kept up with the feeding schedule and has successfully brought all three of his young, Tiny, Dolly and Dark One, to fledge stage. He is an awesome male and no wonder given that he is the son of Surge who was hatched at the Etobicoke Sun Life centre and has been a successful father himself for many years now!!
As I approached the site, I found one peregrine on the plant directly east of Hearn eating and Peter on top of the roof of the nest building. I scanned the gridwork and rooftop for other peregrines and when I panned back to the plant to the east, in the scope with the light just right I was able to positively identify the peregrine on that roof as an adult female. It would seem that with his territory void of a resident female, that Peter has been able to attract a new girl to his site. I was unable to determine if she is banded as she took off fairly quickly and disappeared behind the eastern power plant. Shortly afterwards, a juvenile female came in from the east and flew over towards Hearn but instead landed on the eastern plant as well. As I left the site, I could confirm the presence of two adult peregrines and one juvenile female. I will be back to visit the site again to check on the status of the adults and try to confirm the new female’s identity.
Posted on July 24, 2012 9:24 am
July 10, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
CPF Volunteer Reports:
Hello Mark
Its Bill here. I was at the hearn this evening and spent a few hours watching the young juveniles and all three are doing well. The adult resident male “Peter” brought in food twice in and hour and half. Seems to like the other building just east of the Hearn, at least today anyway. Also one of the oung ymales disappeared and came back with food no calling or adult male around ,from a distance looked like it was dancing on the roof got my bins out and saw it fly around the corner with what appeared to be a small bird in its talons.
Just wondering if it caught that himself and if its posable at this stage??? Anyway just thought I would let you know all seems well so far. So far they look like they are all doing well. Talk to you soon,
Best, Bill
Posted on July 11, 2012 1:26 am
July 06, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
Frank Butson Reports:
We got an update on the resident adult female today from the Toronto Wildlife Centre where she is in rehabilitation. She has a very serious elbow injury and we’re waiting on results from some lab tests. Test results are due back early next week. The prognosis is guarded and the vets are “worried.” We will of course pass on any information as soon as we get it. Thanks to Toronto Wildlife Centre staff and volunteers for all of their efforts.
Posted on July 6, 2012 10:34 pm
June 29, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
CPF Postmaster Reports:
June 29th - 2012
A quickly update on Peter’s progress with his three new family members. Peter as you are aware was produced at the Hamilton nest site is still coping well with three fledglings now out on the loose. His female mate is still in rehab but is doing well and we expect that she will be able to be released back to her family some time in the very near future. She is currently in a large flight aviary still dealing with some minor swelling on her wing wrist and still dealing with discomfort.
The three fledglings are still being observed on a daily basis by Desmond, one of the CPF volunteers who has been doing spot checks on them throughout the week.
Now that things have settled down a little for us, we are going to try and get some of the many photos that have been taken over the past months of the Hearn nest site - (in addition to the back log of updates and photos from many of the other nest sites). There are hundreds of photos that have been submitted for the Hearn nest site alone, (and thousands of other photos that have been submitted from all of the other nest sites over the past months). As such, we will be posting a few at a time as we get them all categorized, resized and finally posted.
As for this back-logged update, we are posting some of the great photos sent into us by Ann Brokelman who has been monitoring the Hearn nest site for the CPF for many months.
These shots clearly demonstrate just how protective of their nest site and territory they are. And in particular, how defensive and protective they are about their secret caches of food. On this day, a Turkey Vulture thought that the resident territorial peregrines were hosting a free buffet at the Hearn nest site given all of the secret food stashed around by Peter. Well, I think that the photos say it all. NO FREE FOOD HERE! Needless to say, Mr/Mrs Turkey Vulture required a change of its “under-down” after this rather hostile encounter with Peter and his mate! The TV and has not been invited back!
Enjoy these great shots!!! Thank you Ann!
Posted on June 29, 2012 3:16 pm
June 27, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
CPF Volunteer Reports:
June 27th - 2012
Good morning CPF
Just to keep you posted. All 4 peregrines at Hearn are doing well so far. First feeding this morning was at 0532hrs. Cheers!
Desmond
Posted on June 29, 2012 10:22 am
June 27, 2012 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Now that I am back at my computer, I have about 8 billion photos to go through and post to the various pages of the 8 sites that I have been at watches for. ( Good gracious!! ) The evening that I spent at Hearn was overcast and rainy but I managed to snap a few pictures of the three juveniles; Tiny, Dark One and Dolly. Enjoy!!
Posted on June 27, 2012 8:54 am
