June 19, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
A hot, humid day greeted all the volunteers at the various nest watches. Today at King St was generally quiet day, as the peregrines camped out in the shade for the most part. Harry and Zoe, wereon site early this morning but by 10:30 the heat was already holding the birds down. I arrived late this afternoon and had no birds in view. I returned 6p.m. and saw Windwhistler and Erin in sight, one was on the spire of St.James Church and the other on Dundee Place. Aphrodite and one of the brothers, were sitting on the roof of the nest building. I did not have three of the juveniles in view at one time. I left around 7:50p.m, when Paul arrived to do some observing. Hope they all show up, just for Paul.
Posted on June 19, 2012 8:45 pm
June 18, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
For the most part this evening has been quiet. No big air shows like last evening. A little frustrating as Paul and I could not get a four head count at once. But those in the air are flying well. This afternoon, I had a juvie on the south east roof area of the Cosmopolitan Hotel on Colborne St. It was there for a long time and then took off north towards the nest building. This hotel is approximately the same height as the Condo south of the nest building.
Juvies continue to perch on the King Edward Hotel chimney scaffolding, The north roof area of the # 7 Condos, and the roof of # 1 Toronto and the roof of the nest building.
Film crew for “Flashpoint” is setting up again south of the King Edward Hotel. I had a chance to speak with staff from the film set. They had a sighting late this afternoon of a juvie on the roof.
With the assistance of building security and Dave, it was confirmed that the juvenile was able to lift off this area, and was not trapped behind a glass barrier or in behind very high retaining wall barriers. Many thanks for your assistance. It is greatly appreciated.
Perhaps tomorrow, all four will be in view.
Posted on June 18, 2012 9:44 pm
June 17, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
After spending the entire day on # 20 Toronto Street, Dundee finally mustered up the courage to take his second flight and headed south over the lower portion of the King Edward Hotel. That was the last confirmed sighting of him. I believe he could be camped out on the roof of the Hotel or the Condo’s next door. A food drop was made to the roof of the King Edward Hotel around 8p.m. and at least two juvies took part in the meal.
Three of the juveniles have taken a liking to the scaffolding around the chimney of the hotel, sitting up there frequently. At night fall, all had settled and out of sight. Adults could be seen in the area, so Dundee can’t be too far.
Posted on June 17, 2012 9:51 pm
June 17, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Harry Crawford Reports:
Morning Shift: When I checked the camera around 5:15am, nothing was
visible. Further checks until 6:30am didn’t show Dundee. I got to
the site just before 8am and was joined shortly after by Zoe. From
Leader Lane Zoe spotted our Dundee in the middle of the south roof
ledge of the penthouse of 20 Toronto St. He stayed there exploring
the ledge and roof area for some time. Dad spent a lot of time on
the CHFI loop antenna watching him. Some food was given to him and
he finally shut up. I left the site in Zoe’s capable hands and
headed back to the Sheraton Centre for another head count.
Posted on June 17, 2012 2:00 pm
June 16, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
Dundee still remains unfledged. At banding his age was estimated to be 18 days old, that would make him 43 days of age on June 18th. Even if the age is off by a few days, he is still is late in taking his first flight. Today lots of vocalizing and flapping, but doesn’t really appear to be interested to lift off as yet.
Lots of wonderful flights by the other three juveniles. They seem to be perfecting their landings as they make short trips to neighbouring buildings.
Watch continues, hopefully tomorrow will be Dundees’ day to fly.
Posted on June 16, 2012 10:05 pm
June 15, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
Aphrodite, Grayor and Tristen continue to do well with nice long flights.
Dundee is still unfledged but is seen doing a lot of flapping today.
Both the adults,( Erin and Windwhistler ) continue with long soaring flights in front of the nest building .
Food was delivered to the building across from the nest ledge, trying to lure Dundee off.
At 3:30 pm, a food drop was made to the nest ledge. Aphrodite, the big girl that she is, joined Dundee to partake in the offerings. Could not have been a big serving, Dundee was quick to return to the edge of the ledge and look out.
Renovations continue on the roof of the King Edward Hotel and hopefully this activity won’t disrupt Dundee’s maiden flight too much. CPF volunteers are keeping an eye on him.
Posted on June 15, 2012 3:56 pm
June 14, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Observations made by Marion yesterday June 13th
Aphrodite made it back to the nest building today and spent the day on the very top while her brother Tristen spent time on Dundee Place and also with her on 18 King. Her other brother, Grayor, was still out exploring and we only saw him once. Little Dundee is still on the nest not quite ready to take off yet but soon. I left about 7:00 pm to head off to the Sheraton to put Journey back on the nest after her rescue.
This morning I was checking all the cams over a morning coffee and found little Dundee had taken up position at the ledge. He’s looking really good for a first flight and the weather is quite fine for such an event. The humidity is not as oppressive as it has been but its coming. Today would be a great day Dundee!! Go for it!!
Posted on June 14, 2012 9:27 am
June 12, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Observations by Marion
Aphrodite left 1 Toronto sometime early this morning and I found her when I arrived on the watch at the north west corner of the Wellington Square at the corner of Colborne and Victoria behind the King Ewdard where she spent most of the day. She made a short jaunt to the South West corner at Wellington and Victoria about 4:00 PM and spent the rest of the afternoon there. About 6:00 shortly after Paul arrived to close off the days watch with me a pair of Kestrels came in to pester her and were dispatched by Mom and Dad. this happened 3 times before she decided to try for the condo tower north on Victoria. She did not quite make the upper roof level and landed on a ledge that is part of a balcony about 5 floors down. Mom did try to get her to take flight again to get to the top but no luck she was staying put and there she laid down to sleep.
The boys were seen flying high earlier in the afternoon landing on the roof of the nest building together so they have been flying high and strong for the last couple of days. Dundee, the youngest of the four, is still on the nest ledge and has yet to take his first flights. He is a bit of a ledge potato these days in the heat and humidity and I can’t say that I blame him. He should take his first flight any day now.
Posted on June 12, 2012 11:46 pm
June 11, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Tracy Simpson Reports:
After finishing a Project School Visit presentation in Toronto, I had some time until my next appointment and so headed down to 18 King St East to help out Marion and Zoe with the watch. When I arrived, I first spotted to juveniles and Zoe so I quickly parked and made my way over for an update. She had three juveniles this morning clearly indicating that Tristen was back!! One young one was on the nest building roof, another on the King Edward Hotel and a third on 1 Toronto St. I set to wandering to try and help with the who, what and where of it all. The chick on the nest building roof that Zoe was watching was Aphrodite, her red tape clearly visible, who was still on the elevation where she was released the night before after her rescue. The second juvenile was on the roof of the King Edward Hotel sitting right next to the chimney. He preened, stretched and flapped but was not willing to give up his identity by showing off his tape colour. So I decided to make my way south for a better view of our 1 Toronto St. bird. Marion and Zoe had eyes on everyone just in case a nect flight was coming and they were joined by the vigilant parents both perched on the condo across from the nest building. When I got into position, I was able to identify the sleeping juvie on 1 Toronto St. as Grayor! His first flight was early this morning and he’s done a great job maintaining his elevation and making it to the rooftop. That meant that the little one on the King Edward was Tristen!! For the past couple of days, the parents have been trying to incite another flight from this little one but he remained hidden from all of us somewhere in the shade as the heat was really too much for man and beastie!! Erin delivered a small food package to him on the hotel which rousted the other two who were looking to join him. It was really cute to watch as the juveniles could all see one another and were flipping their heads at each others antics. I left the watch at around 2pm and Marion continued the vigil with Zoe and later on, Bruce. Tristen took his next flight over to 1 Toronto St to hang out with Grayor and the two boys both took another good flight over to the roof of the nest building. Wanting to join the party, Aphrodite took a really good flight over to 1 Toronto St only to find that the boys had left and gone over to where she just left from!! Let the game of tag begin!! All the while, the little wee one, Dundee, remained on the nest ledge behind the pillar opting to stay in the shade today and rest up seeing as he had the whole place to himself.
Posted on June 12, 2012 9:31 am
June 09, 2012 - Toronto - King Street
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Today I was treated to a shift at the 18 King St. nest site with Erin and Windwhistler and their 4 little monkeys. I first had to drop Frank off at the Etobicoke Sun Life watch where little Euro had just fledged and was around the back of the nest building. As I was getting ready to head downtown, I received a call from Bruce that Aphrodite had taken her first flight and was now scooped up and in a rescue carrier!! She was unamused at this first flight business and took it out on Bruce!! When I arrived, Grayor was on the nest ledge flapping up a storm and little Dundee was staying out of the heat of the day behind the pillar. Bruce and I made our way up to check on Aphrodite and she was doing just fine. To remind me, this newest person in her life, that goddesses are a force to be reckoned with she gave me a little tag on the finger during her exam. I can tell you that she is in grand shape indeed!! We left her to rest and relax in preparation for her rooftop release and headed back down into the street. Bruce then took off over to the Toronto Sheraton site while I remained at King with Zoey and Ann.
Grayor was flapping like mad throughout most of the day. We certainly anticipated a fledge but it would seem that the little burst of energy was spent by about 1pm and a nap was in order. Before settling down in the shade, Grayor spent a few minutes amused at his own reflection in the dome cover of the camera. It was hilarious. Both adults flew in with a tidbit for lunch at around 2pm but nothing really significant.
Now that the two ledge potatoes were all settled, we set out on a search of the area for Tristen. His first flight took him down onto the rooftop of 20 Toronto St. where he remained and we were hoping for a looksee at him today. The heat was sooooo oppressive down in the core of the city that he must of found a cool, shady place to hang out. We walked for several hours with no look whatsoever. Both Erin and Windwhistler seem to know where he is and we believe he is still on a higher elevation in the Toronto St corridor. The parents didn’t help a great deal as they were not readily supplying food on such a hot day. Finally we decided that our perch on Court St was the best option for a view and so there we remained for the rest of the afternoon. At around 3pm, Grayor woke up and began another flap-fest-o-rama that tuckered us out just watching. He certainly will fledge very soon if not tomorrow. Windwhistler at this point made a visit to the highest level of 20 Toronto St and Erin flew over to land on 1 Toronto. Both were giving us indications that they had Tristen in their sights. By 6pm, Bruce had returned after completing his second rescue of the day at Toronto Sheraton and “sent me packing” back to Etobicoke Sun Life. Bruce and Marion stayed on to close the watch and release miss Aphrodite to the roof of the nest building where she gave Marion the goddess glare before taking up position in the southeast corner of the rooftop. Come dawn she will be looking for ( and screaming for ) some attention from mom and dad and feeling rather triumphant with her return. We are all truly grateful we could help.
More pictures to come once I have a chance to go through them all!!!
Posted on June 11, 2012 12:24 am
