Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

2 fledged today

June 22, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

I was late getting out this morning and when I looked over at the *porch level* on Canada Square I saw two little peregrines and believed all was well. So I settled down for a short watch as I had another appointment for a few hours. Mark was here to help Marion whilst I was gone. We found Haven on one of the walls south of the nest. Mark threw a spanner in the works by saying something like this * there is a peregrine on the balcony at the corner and I can’t tell if it is a young one or adult, no it is a baby. You have your first fledge*. I thought we had the same two on the *porch* as we had yesterday. Not so! Anyway, he woke up and flew again before I left and Marion saw his flight over 2190, (black building), and saw him come down on it. Until this point we had no idea who had fledged. I left and Marion will fill in the second fledging and the identity of the two peregrines.

On my return Marion and Mark had worked out who was who and where. I spotted one of the young peregrines on the roof believing it to be the first fledgling! Little did I know we had two fledglings. I saw Haven fly low over the bus bays, around the CIBC building and back around the south side of Canada Square by which time she was high enough to land on the roof with the pigeon she had. The fledgling was on top of the concrete wall and Haven landed away from him on the |north west corner of Canada Square. Linden, who was on the roof did not take long to run around to Haven and take the food from her. Later on we saw Haven back on the roof attempting to take the food from him but he prevailed. He was NOT giving up the remains!

Equinox, the first to fledge, was still on 2190 and exploring the edge of that roof. There was a point when it looked as if we had two birds on the short edge facing Duplex Ave. It was a sort of optical illusion because of the way that edge and the 90 degree angle wall to it reflect in one another. We could clearly see Equinox and the reflection was just as clear and looked like a second bird. Haven and Malik took to the air and flew over Canada Square and 2190 then over Duplex, all the while Haven was haranguing Malik. She told him off in no uncertain terms and then she flew west. Malik landed on the south west corner of Rio-Can.

Eventually Malik flew in and landed on the nest level and finally dropped down to the *porch* and gave a food parcel to Chinook, left there on his own. I must say it was an effective move because it put an end to his endless squawking. After leaving the food parcel Malik flew to the last wall south of the nest and landed there but it was short-lived! Linden, a little miffed at not getting any more food, flew across the roof top and onto the same ledge and knocked Malik off! Linden seems to be the *flyer*. He has maintained his height.

Finally, late in the day, Equinox took flight from 2190. He flew on the Yonge street side of Canada Square. Marion went in search and found him perched on the south side of the CIBC building. So we packed up all the gear and moved to Yonge Street. We felt that Linden was doing well and did not need us there.
Equinox kept popping out over the edge of CIBC and then would disappear for a few minutes. This went on for ages until we no longer saw him. So we went looking for him. Still no sign of him in spite of the elevated view Marion had. He may have flown off when a number of pigeons flew and we did not notice him go. Haven had circled over him earlier and had flown off in the direction of 2190 so it is possible that is where he is. Marion noted that Haven was not in this vicinity and it is quite possible she has eyes on him. We will do a search for him in the morning as it was dark when we called off the search.

Lyn

!!!

June 20, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

A little surprise greeted us this morning. After the *no-show and no-go* days we have had it was good to see the first youngster had left the ledge and was on the *porch level* just below, on Canada Square. Eventually I was able to identify the colour of the tape on the band and match it to a name from banding day. Red tape and that meant Equinox had made the first move.

A half hour after my arrival Malik brought in a food parcel to the top two and they promptly disappeared to the back of their ledge. Equinox flapped madly at the time and a few minutes later he did the same thing only this time he had lift-off for a few feet. He also ran up and down the *porch level* a couple of times before resting.

There was slight activity from one of the youngsters on the main level but that soon petered out. Haven flew along the west side of Canada Square and then over the Yonge/Eglinton intersection and this motivated Linden into action on the main level. Then he and Equinox were both exercising their wings at the same time.

Haven and Malik made a few fly-bys and Haven popped onto the main ledge a number of times throughout the afternoon.

Around 5:30 pm Marion spotted Haven on 2190 Yonge (black building) and there were feathers flying everywhere! Malik, too, was on 2190 and only a couple of metres away from her. Judging by the size of some of the feathers I believe she had caught a pigeon. Once the pigeon was cleaned, Haven ate before flying to the main ledge with the rest of it. There she fed Chinook, the baby. He had a good feeding, thirteen minutes of it!! That done she dropped down to the *porch level* and gave the remains to Equinox. He disappeared from sight for a few minutes. Malik in the meantime had found scraps on top of 2190 and he was eating those.

Haven and Malik made a few flights and then another surprise! Marion noted that there were TWO youngsters on the *porch level*. This was much later in the day. We finally had a tape colour and discovered that Linden had joined his brother. The lonely little guy left at the top is Chinook.

It was becoming late and the babies SHOULD have been dozing off for the night. Haven was in place on top of the wall north of the ledge but Linden was just beginning to rev up. He ran up and down the ledge, flapped a bit, lifted off a couple of times and tried to get his sibling join him. Equinox was not co-operating and was down for the night. Chinook, too, was down. Linden eventually settled and we left.

Lyn

!!! Canada Square update for 20140618

June 19, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

I was out at 10:35 this morning and at 10:40 I was treated to a spectacle I shan’t soon forget!

When I arrived there was no sign of anyone. No-one visible on the ledge and Haven and Malik were nowhere to be seen. I set up my perch and was settling in for the duration when a pigeon flew across the west side of Canada Square with Haven in hot pursuit.

What a huntress she is! She nabbed the pigeon just south of the concrete wall and flew to the top of 2190 Yonge(black building) where she promptly began pulling off feathers. It rained feathers. HOWEVER, Malik was directly behind Haven and her prey and he bagged a pigeon just north of 2190 at about roof level. The pigeon dropped and Malik did some fancy diving and flying and he, TOO, grabbed a pigeon. He was not able to gain height and so he flew across the old bus bays and disappeared. I admit I was watching Haven more than Malik.

Haven cleaned the pigeon and had a meal off it then she took it onto the ledge where she fed one of the chicks. Once that was done she left and I guess the others may have had scraps or something to eat.

Whilst Haven was feeding the chick Malik flew over the bus bays, southwards and I lost him. He had his prey in his talons. So I decided to try and find him but I was too late. I walked down to Berwick and then went onto the top floor of the parking lot but found nothing. He must have circled back over trees and things west of Duplex and gained height because when I looked up from the parking lot I saw a tiny speck on the southwest corner of the Rio-Can building. Binoculars confirmed it was Malik. Haven was on the wall north of the scrape on Canada Square.

I went inside for a bit after that. I attempted several times to come out again but it began spitting each time, so I waited. The third time, it began spitting but I went out anyway and sat it out. There was a little more activity from the youngsters but not too much! The oldest one is thirty-six days old today and the next in line is thirty-five days old. The baby is between is either thirty or thirty-one days old. They should be flapping madly by now and running up and down the ledge. I saw some wing action, maybe a minute, and then it fizzled out and the youngster sat and pondered his next move. However, I did see Linden wind himself up a number of times, wings flapping madly, one dash along the edge and then that was it. The only later action from him was when Haven dropped off a food parcel just before five this afternoon. She flew across the road and then back to the wall north of the scrape where I left her at 5:30. The sky was very dark and I wonder if she fed them to encourage them to stay in case it rained.

Lyn

June 6th 2014, banding day at Canada Square a great success.

June 06, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

Many thanks to Neil Armstrong of Northam Realty Advisors Limited for hosting the banding again this year. Thanks also go to Andrea and Ellie of Northam for their assistance as well.

Thanks once more to Solar Window Cleaning and in particular Steve who has *been out on the ledge* for the fourth year running to assist in extracting the young for banding. This year Steve and Mahesh from Solar did a great job collecting the chicks Steve has done this many times for us but this was a first for Mahesh and he did a great job ! He did take a nice shots of Haven to share with you.

Thanks, too, to Paragon Security for their help through the season so far.

As always our appreciation and thanks to the Ministry of Natural Resources and in particular Mark Heaton for banding the peregrines. Mark was ably assisted by Catherine, Aidan and Taylor.

Thanks Marion and Mark Nash for the innumerable hours you put into the protection of this species. Not just the banding but organising the fledge watches, all the liaising you do on behalf of peregrines, the education process and school visits and spreading the word about these amazing birds.

It is always interesting to note how creatures of the wild present themselves to *intruders* and what measures they take to discourage the intrusion. The African Elephant, large as it is, opens its ears wide and stands really tall to intimidate, other animals and birds have similar methods. Today we saw how a Peregrine Falcon deals with intrusion. It was wonderful to see Haven facing off with the *intruders*, at first just ruffling her feathers a bit so that they stood out. But she soon had feathers fluffed up to make her look twice her size. She also had her tail feathers spread out, fanlike. Normally she is a neat and sculpted bird. and reasonably slim, but not whilst her babies were being temporarily extracted for the banding.
Canada Square has produced three male peregrines this year.

Chinook weighed 530gms, black band W/85 and we gave him a blue *ID*
Linden weighed 570gms, Black band W/87 and he dons a yellow *ID*
Equinox weighed 620 gms, Black band Y/00 and he sports a red *ID*

The blue, yellow and red *IDs* are simply coloured tape put on the second band so that from the ground they are more easily identified. It is just impossible to see a number on a band when the peregrine is running around on the ledge or has fledged and landed somewhere and we’re trying to figure out who it is. The colours stand out and help in quick identification.

We look forward to successful fledges in a week or two.
Lyn

!!! Banding Day at the Canada Square nest site!

June 06, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Mark Nash Reports:

Banding Day.
A huge success today as al three hatchlings were successfully weighed, banded, had their health checked and named,, then returned to their parents without incident. A huge thank you to Northam Realty and Neil Armstrong for hosting the banding today, the management team, security and Solar staff members Steve and Mahesh for all of their support today.. And to Mark Heaton from the Aurora district Ministry of Natural Resources for banding the three young hatchlings.

With the resident adults - Malik and Haven, his unbanded female mate on hand to supervise the event, (at least form the outside), everything went as planned. We were lucky enough to get a close up view of Haven and her hatchlings from behind the glass before the hatchlings were extracted. What a treat, as the window has a darkened film that allows us to see out, but prevents the peregrines from seeing in, thus allowing us an un-disturbed view of the peregrines with causing them any stress as a result of our presence.

At one point, Haven walked over to the hatchlings, and stopped shot of reaching them while on the nest ledge to lay down and continue to incubate the last unhatched egg. While this last egg has long since failed, it was fascinating to see her so close-up and calm she gently settled down onto the egg and close her eyes as she basked in the morning sun. Her three hatchlings only inches in front of her, she seemed so content and at piece.

The three hatchlings particulars are:

Todays update

May 29, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

I arrived at 11:42 today to find no-one easily visible! Haven was not on the scrape and the three youngsters were in a tight ball right in the corner. I think it may have been a bit chilly out there but not cold enough for Haven to be brooding them.

It was difficult but I could see tiny little tail and wing feathers beginning to show on the two older eyases.

One of the youngsters took a short walk and then hightailed it back to the corner. Haven was on the wall north of the nest before she landed on the ledge. Then the little ones were vocal.
Ten minutes after I arrived, Malik arrived with a food parcel and Haven snatched it from him and waddled into the corner to feed the young.

I noticed this time that Haven did not *talk* to the young as she fed them. She did not need to call them, they were right there and reaching for the food. Haven is feeding them more than just the soft stuff now. The older ones got feathers and a few were given small bones. One of the older ones also received a foot. It REALLY struggled to get it down but after a full minute of gulping the foot finally disappeared. Then lunch time was over.

I must say the youngest does hold its own at these feeding sessions. Considerably *shorter* than the other two, the youngest stretched up and occasionally *jumped* to grab food from Haven’s beak. Haven is a great mom. She feeds all three chicks quite methodically. Those babies were fed almost everything from that food parcel. The spine and a few long bones and big feathers were
ingested by Haven.

The young ones then settled down for a bit, flat out! Haven had flown away after the feeding but was back on the ledge in a couple of minutes. She spent time on the edge where she preened. She eventually came further onto the ledge and sat watching her brood. The two older ones walked over to her; one was up on its legs and walking. After that it shook its wings and exercised them well! Then, of course, the young ones began calling again. At that point Haven flew away. One of the babies has a really loud voice!

Malik flew in. He is too funny. There was real puzzlement on his face. He looked at the youngsters, then the egg. Had another long look at the chicks and then the egg again and by this time they were calling him. He was quite close and one of the babies touched his beak several times, looking for food. Malik then walked to the edge and stood there, sort of looking over his shoulder at the brood.

Haven in the meantime had been walking around on the top ledge of the building across the street. She was looking for a stash and she found it. Once she had found it she flew in with the food parcel and Malik flew off the ledge.

Haven fed all three and I could see the crop growing exponentially on the little guy. He looked as if he had small ping pong ball there. He was stuffed. Haven gave him one last bit of food, which was a bit of bone and he could not get it down so she took it and ate it.One of the older babies was given a foot. This time the foot disappeared without any problem. Haven stood around and the little one pushed its way underneath her into her leg feathers. Malik was still across the street.

Lyn

!!! A NEW resident male named “Malik”- Black 12 over Y has replaced Stormin!

May 16, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

It was very windy in the corner where Haven was covering her babies and eggs. Still two babies and two eggs. She had difficulty keeping the babies underneath her. They kept *tumbling out* and Haven would wriggle and tuck them under again.

Eventually dad appeared on the ledge, no food, but he literally begged her to let him sit on the eggs. First he made his usual chupping and when Haven did not respond to that his call, it changed to something softer and finally he whined!! A tiny little *weeeeeet* sound !

Haven finally left, and I could clearly see the two eggs and the babies. I know why Haven was reluctant to let him sit. Not only because there were still 2 eggs but because after all he is a new mate!!!! Yes a new mate with the band number 12 over Y and that is not Stormin. After checking the banding data base, it turns out to be Malik , a peregrine hatched in 2010 at the 18 King St. nest,,, a son of Windwistler and Erin.

We’re not sure when Stormin was displaced and though we will miss him, Malik comes from strong stock from one of Canada’s most prolific male peregrines, Windwhistler, who has over 100 offspring (that we know about) to his credit and is now a great, great grandfather.

Malik looked at the little white fluff balls with wide open mouths, thought about them and decided that he KNEW he had to sit on the eggs. I don’t think he was too sure of what to do with the babies and he didn’t actually cover them. They were pressed right against his chest. He is just a little too small to cover both the eggs and babies. About seven minutes later Haven returned, rolled the eggs into place, got comfortable on them and then proceeded to nudge the babies under her.

Lyn

!!! Still 2 babies 2 eggs and a special treat for you. :)

May 15, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

After yesterday’s activities and the weather this morning Haven stuck to the scrape and protected the eggs and the two hatchlings. She was restless and kept on changing position, ensuring everything was kept warm and covered. Stormin appeared on the ledge and I think he was asked to fetch food. He reappeared much later and Haven grabbed the food parcel from him. She had a nibble herself and then began to feed the babies. Just amazing to watch. She turns her head to present the food to the little ones so that they can just close their mouths and swallow!
Once they were fed Haven ate the rest and settled back on the two eggs and two babies.

Here is a special treat from Lyn for our falcon friends -links to the feeding of the Canada Square babies on video

feeding time

!!! Congratulations Canada Square – TWO hatchlings

May 14, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

Thanks to Northam Realty Advisors and Neil Armstrong for the care they show in hosting this nest.

I arrived just before noon and the first thing I saw were eggshells! I knew we had a hatchling. Haven was very restless on the scrape but I finally did see a beautiful white fluffy hatchling. Haven had spread herself over three eggs and the hatchling.

Every few minutes Haven checked underneath her and also shuffled feathers and position and thirty five minutes after I arrived she pulled a half eggshell out from under her body. Three *halves* now on view???? Possibly a second hatchling. Twenty minutes after that the fourth *half * eggshell appeared and then I knew we had two little ones.

I saw a tiny little rear end appear from under Haven’s chin and the baby proved its little system was working just fine! A short while later the new hatchling tumbled out from under Haven and landed in front of her. This baby was still damp and the down was all stuck to its body so I could see the pink skin. Haven eyed it and then ever so gently used her beak to nudge it back underneath her. It is amazing to see that huge, lethal, tearing weapon used in such an incredibly delicate way!

Later on Stormin flew in with a food parcel. There was much chupping and chatter with his arrival and Haven wasted no time in diving at him and grabbing the food! She flew off with it and Stormin was left standing there empty-beaked. I could clearly see the two little ones. The older one, which as Marion suggested, must have hatched yesterday after I left, was all fluffy and white and managing to stand just a tad better than the sibling. The new one, just an hour or so old, was struggling to keep its balance using its tiny little wings to help. Stormin approached the hatchlings and I am sure he had no idea what to make of them especially the new one. He came really close and peered at them. Haven then flew in again with the same food parcel. Stormin moved away and then eventually flew as Haven prepared to feed the one. She chupped and talked all the time and BOTH babies opened their mouths wide!! Remember the second one was just over an hour old but that instinct or response to the calls was there, hardwired.

Haven fed only the first one hatched and, at that, not a whole lot. Again that *lethal* beak was put into action in a most delicate way. Tearing a piece of food off the parcel and then ever so gently giving it to the baby. She did that a number of times. Tiny scraps of food were ingested by the youngster. Then Haven decided that was enough and she moved to the far end of the ledge where Stormin had stashed a starling before my arrival. Haven flew off with the remains of Stormin’s food parcel. Stormin returned, briefly, before Haven reappeared. It was whilst he was there that I heard the first hatchling *peeping*. I could also see the beak open and the body moving. Amazing at just one day old and all those actions have already kicked in! Haven placed herself over the two hatchlings and the two eggs and settled down over them. That is another thing: those large feet with huge grasping pointy talons moved over and around babies and eggs alike without doing any harm whatsoever!

Lyn

!!! Almost Here

May 13, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Marion Nash Reports:

Lyn was out today and got these shots while the adults were off the eggs. Looks like one of the chicks is piping and should hatch soon later today of tomorrow.