July 01, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
I had a good two hours with the peregrines today. I arrived at 5:45 pm and there was no one about! But things began moving a few minutes into my watch.
Firstly, one juvenile popped up on the top ledge 4 south of the big wall on Canada Square. Next up were two flying together and I still had *solo* in view on the ledge, so I had the three juvies again today!
I am assuming that the two together were Equinox and Linden simply because they have been flying together almost since fledging. The little chappie on his own must have been Chinook.
All three juvies gave a wonderful exhibition of their progress in flying and I would say they have mastered flying 101 and 102 and are now working on flying 103. Their flights are all strong! Equinox and Linden are now flying *at speed* and zipping around all the buildings in the area, the two condos, Rio-Can, 2180 Yonge, over 2190 Yonge and of course all over and around the home building Canada Square. They dive on one another, tag each other and practise their talon touching although I had a really scary moment today! The two little daredevils talon GRABBED over Rio-Can and continued flying latched on to one another over the apartment building on Duplex Avenue getting lower and lower until finally letting go. Then they zipped around some more and later on did the same thing over the north end of Canada Square and Y/E intersection although not for as long!
Malik challenged them to some flying competition. In spite of their progress he still outmanoeuvres and out flies them. You can see when he puts on a spurt, they are just left fluttering in the breeze. He did have all three in the air at one time and there is still a difference in skill between Chinook and the other two but Chinook has improved tremendously since last week! He is maintaining altitude and choosing to fly lower then climbing. He circles around for a climb to a higher perch and does well. I think it was a bit breezy higher up today because all seemed to struggle flying due west. When they flew east it looked so easy!
Haven was nowhere to be seen for quite a while but she did eventually come flying in from the east with a food parcel. Hysteria and pandemonium in the air over Canada Square!! One juvie tried twice to take the food from her and missed but Haven hung onto it. Then on the third attempt he took it, flew halfway across the roof of Canada Square and landed somewhere out of view.
One of the two older ones is practising stoops now, not chasing anything but his wings were back and he went into a dive albeit a short one. One of them also amused me by doing a sort of *roll over* defence thing even though there was no-one ton whom he could present talons. It looks really funny, as if he is tumbling.
One was on the very top *spire* of the north west corner of the tall condo when his brother climbed and just bumped him off.
One of the boys popped up on Canada Square and he had a huge crop! I am guessing he was the one who grabbed the food parcel from Haven without so much as a please or thank you. His chest bulged so much he looked like a wannabe starlet.
All three juveniles were in the air again before I left. They flew at different times, over different places and to different spots but all were high. None of them struggled to fly, except when flying west.
Lyn
Posted on July 2, 2014 8:24 am
July 30, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
I believe I saw all three but at different times – you be the judge ?
I arrived at about 5:15 pm and there was not a peregrine to be seen! I am not surprised because right at the corner of Eglinton and Duplex was a huge crane. It was not busy when I arrived but obviously had been through the day and became busy again after I had been there about twenty minutes.
Around 5:30pm Haven flew in from the east over the Bell building, over the Y/E intersection, west of Canada Square and over the bus bays, 2190 Yonge, 2180 Yonge and up to the top level on that building. One of the juvies popped up and grabbed the food parcel which Haven was carrying. For a moment I thought it was Haven snatching the food !! It was so similar to her actions with Malik. No please or thank you, just GRAB! He disappeared from sight.
Seven minutes later there were two juveniles in the air and I assumed they were in addition to the one with the food. They flew west to east around the south condo and back and one landed on the antenna on top of 2180. He teetered there a minute as I think it was a tad breezy. His wings were out for balance but eventually he flew. Two youngsters then alit on the antenna and managed a firm hold. They sat for many minutes before flying off.
The next thing I knew was a peregrine flying at high speed around 2180 and up to the railing around the antenna level. This was one of the JUVIES!!!
Later on I was able to identify Linden from the yellow tape on his band! That really stands out in the sunlight! He must have had something to eat because he wiped his beak on the ledge. One juvie flew from the Rio-Can area to over 2180 and beyond then back to land on the railing around the antenna at 2180. Was a slightly clumsy landing but again I think this was due to a slight breeze. He disappeared off the railing and a little later two juvies popped on the edge.
A few minutes later I was enchanted to see one of them just lift off a bit and practise kiting and the touch and go *landing* where they hover above something, drop down and touch it then kite or move on to the next spot where they can repeat this performance. This little chappie had it down pat! Then he flew. The second one on the ledge just stood where he was and held on whilst the wind whistled past his open wings. I left him entertaining himself thus.
Lyn
Posted on July 1, 2014 8:49 am
June 29, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
I had a very lazy morning and even slept in! Finally roused myself and was outside at 5:09pm!!
I spotted two juveniles on the Rio-can building. One was on the top floor and the other one on the second floor down. I eventually had an identity of the top one – that was Linden, yellow tape. I did not get an ID on the other one but I do have suspicions as to who it was.
I found Haven on the top north side of the tall condo and I saw Malik fly over the bus bays , over Duplex Ave and over the residential area chasing or honing in on something but he missed. He flew back around the south side of Rio-can to the east.
The lower of the two babies made up his mind and flew. It was quite a competent flight over Canada Square and to the short condo. I saw him hesitate once he arrived as he seemed not to know where to land nor what to do about it. However, he flew to the west side and bumped a window resulting in a tumble of a few floors BUT he recovered. Linden flew off his perch and flew to his brother who flew back over Canada Square, quite high, turned and made his way back to the short condo where this time he landed on the top north west corner balcony. He clung there for many minutes, not too sure whether or not to move. Eventually he did and explored the ledge on which he had been clinging.
Linden and a third juvie had a quick came of catch and talon touching and then settled on the antenna on top of Canada Square. I just was unable to get band colour on two of the youngsters but was very pleased to see the three of them at the same time! Because there was a slight aerobatic display from two together I think they were Linden and Equinox. I felt that the juvie who flew from Rio-can to the south (short) condo was Chinook simply because of the fluttery flight and the fact that he did not get to the top on the first go and bonked his nose on a window. No matter, that was a long flight made longer because of circling to get the height the second time to land successfully. His skills are improving and he is maintaining height which is crucial to young peregrines. It enables them to fly and roost out of harm’s way.
Lyn
Posted on June 30, 2014 9:03 am
June 28, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
It was another hot day and I think the heat had got to Haven as much as it was getting to us on the ground. Haven flew from behind one of the condo’s and landed on the south ledge of Canada Square. She had food and was busy eating when one of the babies hopped up from the *porch* below and began sneaking food. Haven was not in a sharing mood and grabbed the food and flew to the *porch* below the nest where she continued eating. The baby, of course, squawked his protest.
Haven was not happy with her brood this morning and managed to get one layabout motivated and flying. The two of them flew around Rio-Can and the baby bumped a window, recovered almost instantly and then flew to the balcony railing of the apartment building, four floors from the top. Haven then rousted a second layabout who flew a short flight. Haven flew onto the ledge three south of the concrete wall and the baby followed! So Haven flew but the baby stayed.
Following this Malik got in on the act and flew a few short sorties with the two youngsters before they flew to the Canada Square roof and sat! One of the juvies flew a long flight along Eglinton east and back over Canada Square and down to 2180 Yonge where he perched on that
antenna.
Haven in the meantime had perched on Rio-Can but not for long. She spotted a pigeon on 2190 Yonge, dropped of her perch and went after it. The pigeon panicked and flew out to Yonge Str. at the same time that Malik launched his attack and chased both Haven and the pigeon around the corner. The pigeon escaped!
Marion did a walkabout in the midday heat, covering everything at Canada Square, the bus bays, the parking lot, the buildings far and wide as seen from the parking lot and came up empty handed. No juvie number three, Chinook!
During this period, two juvies ganged up on Malik and flew around the condos. One juvie tired and landed for a rest. Malik and the other *disappeared*. The youngster on the antenna flew down to Haven who squawked crossly at him and eventually Haven flew off. She was just getting no peace from her juvies today and she was a bit short with them.
Whilst I was in the mall cooling off a bit and fetching something to eat Marion spotted a flock of birds way down south of us. Then she saw something interesting. There was a separate little dot gaining on them! Eventually the *dot* turned around and returned and to Marion’s surprise it was one of the juvies!! He may have been hunting one of the birds or attempting to join them to play. At only 46 days old this was a surprise move. This was probably Linden.
Later on we heard an alarm call and spotted a beautiful turkey vulture flying high above Canada Square, southwards. Malik I think, realised there was no danger from this bird so left it alone but warned a few more times.
Still later one of the juvies flew to the north end of 2180 Yonge and was joined by a brother. One of them was squawking madly. It appeared that there was a *chat* between the two and then the one flew. It was joined by another juvenile, in the air, and they talon touched and flew around the condos, over Canada Square, around Rio-Can and *squawky* was still on the north end of 2180 Yonge. Now wait a minute – two juvies flying and one sitting that makes three!
You should have seen the incredulity on Marion’s face when she said something like *those two are juvies and we have a juvie on 2180, that makes three?????* Marion looked and counted again, yep three! I was not prepared for this and so had a look, asked a question or two, saw the flying juvies and saw the sitting juvie!! We had three juveniles for sure. We had no need to check the tape colour to find out who was there because all three were there.
After several days of searching, on Marion’s part, several nights of concern, wondering where this little chappie might be he just popped up again! My theory about a black hole or devil’s triangle in the city is beginning to look better and better. Marion is more down to earth and has suggested that this was two and a half days of *bait and switch* where we have consistently seen two juveniles but have not been able to identify them because we could not see the colour their bands. So there could easily have been the same two flying but when we saw two babies on the roof it may have been one of the flyers plus the third baby.
We were both so relieved to find all three babies! Now, I have to admit that Chinook is beginning to look like a really lazy little bird!! He has not done much flying that we have seen. He does have a loud and persistent voice, though! We are thankful for small mercies as he is up high and flew from the top of one building to the top of another close by and maintained his height! How he managed to get up so high we don’t know. There is much speculation about it including my black hole theory where little peregrines are *swallowed whole* and kicked out a few days later!
The two older juveniles fly well and are learning the talon touching technique. In spite of their progress they are still no match yet for the adults who simply fly rings around them. When one of the adults wants to get away they simply change into second gear and streak off leaving the juvenile flying *in their dust*. Of the two we think that Linden is the advanced little flyer. He has been from the first time he flew.
I shall be out checking on the juvies but not spending the amount of time we both have spent daily for the last nine days. Three have fledged and three are maintaining their height, albeit two better than the third.
Marion headed off to the Yellow Pages watch to help Mark today after identifying three flyers here and will continue to help there. Thanks Marion for all your help and all your walking, especially in the heat!
Lyn
A note thanks from Marion
A big thank you to the Police at Eglinton and Duplex station for allowing us to come in and use the station as a cooling center and use the rest room and to the officer who always ask about the birds and offer what ever help they can as they come in or at the end of their shift see you nest year 
Also A very big thank you to Lyn for always being there for the birds and for me. Lyn has become as familiar or perhaps more so to the locals as the falcons and she always takes the time to talk to anyone who asks about the birds, hands over her binoculars to them to have a look and fills them in on how the birds are doing. I could not have done this site alone over the years .
Thanks Lyn!
We could use some help next year so if anyone has an interest in helping out and spending some time on the watch with us please fill out a volunteer form on the web site and I will contact you next year before we start the watch.
Marion
Posted on June 29, 2014 8:29 am
June 27, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
By the time I arrived this morning Marion had checked all over for Chinook who was nowhere to be found! About a quarter hour after my arrival Marion and I were planning what to do if/when we found him and we discussed various scenarios requiring action and those not needing action.
I think there is a *devils triangle* equivalent somewhere in our peregrine territory!
A place where he disappears and when he makes a nuisance of himself he is *booted* back to Yonge/Eglinton area again. Whilst we were talking he just mysteriously appeared and the fire escape behind 2190 Yonge! Sitting as still as a church mouse. Apparently an alarm had been set off somewhere and people ended up outside so this may just have disturbed him and flushed him from his hiding spot!
We chose to watch him. Two hours later after some activity from the others, but after they had all settled down again, Chinook flew once more. I think he ought to be renamed *Wrong way*! He flew around the building heading towards the rest of the parking lot and disappeared from sight. Marion was up and running armed with a towel and walkie-talkie. No luck. He was not to be found!
We had plenty of activity from the others in short bursts after long rests. I must say that I agreed with the siesta times. There was a sporadic warm breeze which did nothing to cool us off.
Firstly Haven and a juvie played tag for short time and Haven so outclassed the youngster in skill and manoeuvres that he gave up fairly quickly. Five hours later (!!!) two juvies played tag and were better matched. I don’t know who chased whom but they had fun. They talon touched and turned to do so in the air and then the big moment when there was a talon grab (and let go) and naturally the accompanying squawks ! After some flying all over the home territory they came to roost on the Antenna atop Canada Square. They settled down and apart from a little wing bashing and *kissing* (beak to beak stuff) they rested.
Later on Malik went into a stoop over the bus bays and around the south end of Canada Square but came up empty. This did not deter one of the juveniles from launching into flight from somewhere south, squawking madly and landing on the antenna. Not too sure why he landed there! Malik flew again and there was another squawk and Linden who was stretching his wings on the antenna and *oops* was launched into unexpected flight by a breeze. He was a bit taken aback and almost forgot to flap but recovered his composure and nonchalantly flew around the bus bays, dived on his brother on the antenna and then effortlessly flew to the top of the south Condo and landed! He flew some more after that, around Rio-Can, high over Canada Square and up onto the west side of Rio-Can.
A little later Haven flew in with a food parcel which create a bit of mayhem. Malik flew to the third balcony south of the concrete wall, the juvie on the antenna flew down to the Canada Square roof but no-one flew to Haven on top of the wall above the nest ledge. There was more flying and tag, over the bus bays, by the two juveniles. The Malik joined in the chase and they flew back over the bus bays and past Haven who joined in. All four flew to the east side of the Heart and Stroke building and were gone for just a short period. Haven flew to the very top of the south Condo and one juvenile flew to the antenna on Canada Square. Malik and a second juvenile flew onto Rio-Can.
We are still missing a third juvie and assume that it is Chinook. From the exhibition put on earlier by the two we have assumed they are Equinox and Linden. Those two little birds have really bonded and they play well together.
Tomorrow, yet another search!
Lyn
Posted on June 28, 2014 7:50 am
June 26, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
Where do I begin? Last night when we left Haven had her eye on Chinook but he was hidden from us.
This morning Marion beat me to it and found Chinook sitting as pleased as punch on top of one of the old bus bays. He spent at least five and a half hours there during our watch. He sat up, lay down, ran along the short edge of the bus bay and then walked down the length of it out of our sight. He kept us on our toes, literally, because at times we had to stand on tip toes to see him.
Most of the morning Haven was sitting on Canada Square looking down on him and Malik was sitting at the fourth floor level watching him. Several times both Haven and Malik showed Chinook how easy it was to fly around 2190 Yonge, (black building) or onto the top of the black building. Chinook was having none of that. He stuck to his guns and either lay down or went walkabout on the bus bay roof.
Equinox was having his own problems at the time. He flew round and round the bus bay area and then attempted to land on Canada Square but he was not high enough. He knew what to do, though, and flew back out and circled three or four more times and Malik saw this and went to his aid but by that time Equinox had enough height to land back on the ledge he had left. Bravo Equinox!!
Then Linden tried coaxing Chinook off the bus bay. Linden flew down low over Chinook and up to the top of 2190 Yonge. Then he circled higher and higher over the bus bays and Duplex Ave and on to the top of Canada Square. There was still no reaction from Chinook other than following his brother’s movements with his eyes.
The other fledglings were given food and Malik even had pigeon meal right in front of Chinook but still he would not fly! There was a period when we did not see him on his walkabout or lying down and so Marion went walkabout looking for him.
She went up to the top parking level behind 2180 Yonge and looked out over the bus bays but no Chinook. He was eventually located by Marion near the cooling tower in the lot. So Marion suggested that I join her as there was a shady spot to sit and watch him. I packed all our gear and like a pack horse traipsed to the parking lot and just as I approached the cooling tower Marion told me that he had flown and she was in hot pursuit. Off she went! The little blighter eluded Marion and took off we knew not where. So we returned to our vantage spot to *regroup* as it were and see if we could locate him by either the parents actions or by sound.
There is way too much sound distortion in the area so although we could hear calling it was difficult to pinpoint the direction from which it emanated.
There was also a lot of activity from the four other peregrines.
Marion went to the apartment building to see if Chinook could be spotted on the roof of 2190 Yonge but to no avail. We did wonder, though, whether the feathers floating around behind one of the structures were indicative of his presence even though he was not actually spotted. Marion went for another walk up to the parking lot to do a search but this time there was no luck. He was not to be found. On Marion’s return I asked her to check the peregrine which had been sitting with his back to us for the longest period. We had thought this was Malik. However when he turned around he looked like a juvenile. Marion confirmed this for me. It did not clear up the number of peregrines we had seen in the last few hours but there is the possibility of all five being around and we just not able to identify them. It is relatively easy to identify Haven as she is so richly coloured and she is a larger bird than the others. In flight she has a missing primary feather and a tail feather! Malik is also relatively easy to identify as his chest is so white and he too has a missing tail feather. The problem arises when trying to identify the fledglings. I have had the greatest difficulty seeing the colour of the tape on the bands and only very occasionally have I been able to say with certainty what the colour has been.
Tomorrow we will continue our search for anyone missing.
Lyn
Posted on June 27, 2014 7:19 am
June 27, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Linda Woods Reports:
Sheraton’s last fledgling came to ground level this afternoon. What a surprise that must have been for all the foot traffic in the busiest part of the downtown core. Oliver, who we are thinking is really Olivia was late in fledging which had us thinking that perhaps at banding being youngest was really female. Hard to say at the time of banding as the weight and size did not fully point to either male or female.
There were no injuries and a beautiful bird to say the least. Olivia will be kept overnight and examined on Friday by Ministry of Natural Resources biologist.
The other three were not in view this evening, probably camped out in the shade and exploring areas beyond our view from the nest area. I’m sure they’ll come closer to home for the night as they always do.
Many Thanks to Marcy and Security Staff of the Financial Building on University Ave for alerting us to the grounded peregrine.
Toronto Sheraton Guest Services and Toronto Sheraton Hotel Security for once again assisting our volunteers.
Posted on June 27, 2014 12:14 am
June 25, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
A rather mixed day today, with some long periods of just sitting and watching the peregrines sitting on Canada Square. Some other periods of sitting with nothing to watch.
Then there were a couple of confused moments when there was action galore. One such was when Haven dived on a number of pigeons all in and around the old bus bays. I thought one of the fledglings was also in the mix and had come to ground. Haven was sitting on 2190 staring into the old bus bays. No such luck though. I was mistaken. Malik also gave a good show chasing more pigeons up and around the corner from Canada Square but missing.
Later on Haven went into a stoop of Rio-Can, across the north end of Canada Square to Yonge Street where she caught a pigeon. She flew up to the south west corner of Rio-Can followed by Malik and fledgling. Haven dropped the pigeon and the fledgling stayed and ate. During any activity little Chinook remained on his perch or on the floor of the north-west corner of Canada Square. Sometimes he squawked and sometimes not.
Another bit of showing off when one of the older two fledglings flew up and behind Canada Square then over the top to the antenna where Haven was sitting. He sort of bumped her and then the shenanigans began. Haven chased him over the bus bays and over Canada Square a couple of times until he sat on a cross piece of the antenna. Malik joined in and he and Haven flew circles around the youngster whilst he teetered precariously on the antenna. Earlier one of the fledglings had perched on one of the guy wires supporting the single antenna. Now THAT was precarious perching. He kept his wings open, flapped a bit and gripped tight but he gave up after a few minutes and flew off.
A lesson was introduced when all the babies had settled, two on the roof and Chinook in the same spot. Haven put on a real show for the youngsters. She flew circles around Canada Square and on top, gaining height with each circuit. She made it look so easy !!!
After this there was a short rest period until Malik went into a stoop low over the bus bays and close to the wall of the new bus bays he caught a little bird. I think it may have been a European Starling. He flew around the north end of Canada Square to gain height and then back around to the west side and down to the south west corner where he deposited the bird. There was a flurry of wings and squawks and someone got the spoils. Marion noticed that there was no squawking coming from Chinook on the north-west corner and suggested that one of the peregrines on the south end might be Chinook. He fledged properly and I missed it! What I did not miss was his second flight which was not too impressive. He flew from the east side to the west and tried his best to go up to at least the nest level but he missed his goal by two floors. He bumped a window and fluttered down and continued fluttering in a downward spiral until he disappeared from view onto a low
balcony. We waited and waited and finally he jumped up on the wall.
He was quite confused as this was all different in appearance from what he was used to. He looked around and up and down. After a while he walked along the wall a bit and then stopped, had a think, and lay down! When he was back up he walked a little more, first one way then the other and back. Then he worked up his *brave* and walked all the way along the wall to the end over the bank building. He parked himself on the light over a sign and sat and waited out the storm which hit us at about 6:05 pm. It just teemed down and he sat right out in it. Haven was on Rio-can and one of the other fledglings was sitting on the very south-west tip of the level above the balcony on Canada Square, also out in the wet. That is where they stayed and Marion and I settled for a nearby doorway which gave us great shelter and the ability to keep an eye on the birds. I think we finally packed up just before 8:00 pm. By that time Haven had moved and Chinook was out of our
sight but not out of Haven’s. We will do a search tomorrow for the little bird.
Posted on June 26, 2014 7:41 am
June 24, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
June 24th - 2014
Marion Nash Reports:
Today was a relatively slow day. It was muggy out but every now and then we benefitted from a cool breeze. Because we did not have to search for the young peregrines it was quite a restful day at Canada Square. When I arrived at 10:30am I saw young Chinook on the very corner where we had left him last night. He was squawking. One of the other two was visible on the level below the *larder* one over from the large concrete wall. Malik was on the fourth ledge over from the concrete wall and Haven was on Rio-Can.
We were in the shade of a tree on Duplex Av and then migrated to the shade in front of the police station.
Eventually the third *child* showed himself and we had all three babies in plain view. When it became too hot for any one of them they simply lay down in a spot of shade, sometimes disappearing from view.
I think Haven thought everyone had rested enough and it was time to get going so she flew onto the *larder* level just above the Equinox and Linden. There was much squawking and wing stretching and even a bit of wing flapping. However, neither of the two babies chose to hop up to Haven’s level. When she realised the activity was only *show* she flew off that ledge and went two further along. This got one of the youngsters active and he flew onto the ledge and then up to the top of the wall above her. Haven flew and the youngster remained behind.
Before this activity, though, Equinox and Linden were bonding. They were beak to beak and rubbing beaks; it looked as if they were kissing one another. So gentle with each other using those lethal weapons!!
Everyone settled down again and for another hour it was quiet. Only one of the youngsters flew around after that and I think because of the flights and the ability to fly it must have been Linden. He flew off the wall on which he was perched, around the north end of Canada Square, gained height and then flew back to Canada Square, hesitated just a tad before fly to the antennae on top of the building and did a great landing on one of the speaker/microwave/thingies.
At some point a storm blew in and the birds all hunkered down out of the wet if possible. During a bit of a lull we went into the Y/E centre and had a bite to eat. When we came out the rain had stopped but by the time we got to our vantage point it was raining gain and so we popped into the nearby doorway and waited it out there. At this point there was still only one youngster flying. The other two popped up periodically and then ducked out of sight again. Chinook was vocal especially if he saw one of the adults doing a fly-by to check on them.
It continued to drizzle and we called it a night early. The two older fledglings had demonstrated they could fly well even if Equinox appeared a little lazy to do so. So we were not worried about them. We thought that Chinook was still a bit young and would not fly today. So we left them. Linden was on top of the south west corner of Rio-can and Equinox and Chinook were in the same place they had been all day on Canada Square.
Lyn
Posted on June 24, 2014 6:01 am
June 23, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
June 23rd - 2014
Marion and I worked hard this morning trying to figure out where our missing bird might be. We racked our brains and pounded pavements and came up wanting ! Now this is where 17 years of Marion`s experience comes into play!
We had noted that both Haven and Malik were in the area and never flying far from Canada Square unless on a hunt. Marion said that Haven was not too far away and that meant she knew where the *missing* peregrine was and she was not concerned OR she did not know and was just waiting for him to show up after his adventure! So we decided to cool our jets a while and wait.
Haven and Malik had done a number of *fly-overs and fly-bys*`and we had two youngsters in view; one fledgling and Chinook still on the ledge. The fledgling on the southwest corner of Canada Square was either tucking into what was left of his last meal or he had been fed .
At 2:22pm we had a fledgling fly from the roof of Canada Square to the north west corner of Rio-Can and then back across the top of Canada Square and way up to the top of the short condo across Yonge street. An epic flight! We had the thought that this youngster was Linden because he maintained his height and climbed and made such a long flight!! We had three young peregrines again!
Marion noticed a window washer preparing to wash the windows on that southern condo. Haven also noticed the activity and went and sat on the railing on the second condo down extreme right. When the window washers launched himself over the edge in a bosun`s chair Haven flew to the railing around the antenna on 2180 Yonge. She watched the progress of the window washer as he made his way DOWN.
Late in the afternoon Linden flew to the roof of Canada Square and a while later he appeared on the same corner as his brother and Marion also managed to get colour from the band on the one who had stayed on that ledge – red for Equinox. This confirmed that our little flyer was indeed Linden.
One of the youngsters on the south west corner disappeared and we found a youngster down on the balcony wall! We were not able to see Chinook on the *porch* but could not at that point work out who it was on the balcony. Pieces fell into place when we saw TWO youngsters on the south west corner *porch* level AND one youngster at the north west balcony corner. Once again Marion`s experience and knowledge came to the for and it was explained to me that Chinook must have made a *mini* fledge by flying of his *porch* and immediately hooking back whence he had come but a floor lower and ended up on the balcony wall. He afforded us much entertainment with his running along the wall and jumping to the floor and then appearing back on the wall elsewhere. He appeared to be having such fun. Out of the *playpen* into the big wide world of a huge balcony and obstacle course.
Equinox flew over to the top of 2180, north west corner, making a perfect *J-up* landing. *J-up* is how an adult lands on a ledge. They dip down below the ledge and then fly up and land and the action looks just like the letter *J*. Haven flew over and sat on the railing below him. Then we noticed two heads over there. Haven took food in to one of them. Then the rain came and Haven tried to get those two to fly back to Canada Square but they had other ideas and sat it out. When the rain stopped they flew back to Canada Square at different times. Chinook continued to entertain himself, and us, throughout all the rain. Just before we left there was one more epic flight and again we assume it was Linden. He came off the roof of Canada Square, flew to Rio-Can, bumped a window and fluttered a floor or two before recovering and flying around the corner to the top of the apartment building. We left him there.
Lyn
Posted on June 23, 2014 8:18 am
