June 19, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Canada Square Peregrine report 20120619
From a very hot and muggy mid city!!
When I arrived Haven was on the balcony below the nest and Solar was on the nest ledge. This little peregrine has NOT yet jumped to the level below the nest like the other two did. Simcoe was on the top south west corner of the Heart and Stroke building. A half an hour later Simcoe flew and Stormin was in the air above him. They landed one after the other on H & S. All the while Haven was very aware of them and she was watching. We did not see Brisk but thought that he was still on the balcony below the nest.
I went to get cool and when I came back Marion reported that Simcoe had left the H & S and was perched on the antenna on the Canada Square roof. That is a tricky landing but he made it!! Whilst Marion was taking a turn to get cool Simcoe practised his *landing on antenna* trick. He had his wings out and let go to the perch very briefly and grabbed it again before he floated away. Brave boy!!!
Eventually he flew south over 2180 Yonge Street, turned west a bit and flew straight over the black building and onto the H & S again. He made a rather ungainly landing, teetering back and forth before disappearing face first onto the roof. His flight was quite impressive because he used his wings well, flapping nicely and then GLIDING a short distance without any loss of altitude!! The he flapped again almost as if he had thought *oooh better do some work to keep aloft*! However, he tried the gliding again, for much longer, before finally flapping to his funny landing.
Twenty minutes later a squawking gull got my attention. It flew west of Canada Square and was escorted out of the territory by Haven. She did not alarm call but she definitely chased it! Once it was far enough away she broke off the pursuit. Haven fed Solar. I saw her land on the nest ledge where she was rushed by Solar who then disappeared and kept quiet. Haven flew then. I needed another *cool break* and when I returned I found that I had left my notebook behind. So events are sketchy. Marion also took a *cool break* and there was not a lot of action whilst she was away. Every time Simcoe saw one of the adults in the air he squawked. This caused Solar to stir and squawk. When the adults took a break there was quiet. I did not see Brisk at all during the day when I was present. I voiced ummmm, concern about this and asked if I could go and look for him. Marion agreed.
So I trotted off to security and with the great help of Reynaldo from Paragon Security I went to the balcony level where we had left him last night. He was not there! Then the search began and Reynaldo went to each office on the west side of the building. Not a thing. We did, however, see Haven on the ledge looking right at us!!! She had not been there when I left to go in search!!!! We managed to go right around, to all the balcony space and examine it. Still nothing.
Reynaldo asked if I wanted to go to the nest level and after conferring with Marion we went up. We started at the nest and worked our way around. Again, there was no peregrine, except Solar, on the nest. We did see an upside down dead gull which explains a lot of Haven and Stormin’s constant visits to that spot!! When we were in the centre office on the north side – this is far from the nest; past the whole concrete wall, a single balcony and a wrap around balcony – who should find us but Haven. The window had blinds which were down but open and Haven stood outside staring in. She had her head slightly lowered and wings slightly out. I took one look at her and said to Reynaldo *let’s go!* So we did. He then wondered if Brisk had possibly gone to the fourth floor. Again I conferred with Marion and along we went. Haven was back on Rio-Can so I told Reynaldo that if she came flying down he was to get inside. I looked around the southern end of that level and saw nothing. Haven could clearly see it from where she was and she stayed put on RC. So it was over and out and no peregrine. I walked back very disheartened. Checked all the nooks and crannies I could find around the construction area and next to the TTC Garage and came up empty handed.
On my return Marion informed me that Haven had caught a gull!! She had really struggled to get any height with it and kept going down, before, with tremendous effort, she landed it on the CIBC building – red brick – at the corner of Yonge and Eglinton. Apparently Stormin had been willing to help but Haven chose to carry it herself. I have no adequate words to describe this valiant little hunter and provider. She just amazes me.
I think Maggie spotted *a bird* at the corner of the building where Haven had landed the gull. It was a peregrine, BUT, which one ? I tried taking a picture of his band but the distance was just too great so I decided to get closer. The blighter flew before I was close enough for a snap. Failure again! By the time I was back at *our perch* the little bird was on the black roof. Third strike for me when I said to Marion *mom is on the building*. Marion said that is Brisk!! She saw red; red tape on the band!! He was home. I left early tonight so am not sure where the birds were by the time Marion, Tracy and Maggie left.
Lyn
Posted on June 21, 2012 9:17 am
June 18, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Marion told this story of the rescue and release.
In order to find our little missing peregrine falcon, Marion went to Neil Armstrong of Northam Realty Advisors Limited for assistance. Marion searched the roof with no success. Neil Armstrong then took her to a floor overlooking the balconies to see if the fledgling was trapped on one. Success. Neil identified the suite immediately and took Marion there.
Neil and Marion held out towels and corralled him in a corner then Marion dropped a towel over him but he scooted out of a corner and behind a planter and then dropped down about a twenty feet deep shaft. Marion asked if there was a ladder and rope available and Neil immediately called the Maintenance Department to bring the equipment. No sooner said than done. The ladder was put down the shaft and tied off for stability and Marion went down to effect the rescue. She caught him and carried him up the ladder in her arms. Once he was inside Marion gave him a thorough examination and pronounced him fit and healthy and identified him as Brisk, who fledged yesterday!
So with a clean bill of health he was placed in the carrier and left. Neil went above and beyond the call and had the air conditioning switched on so that the office was cool for him.
This evening, thanks go to Neil of Paragon Security for facilitating the release. Marion had to take Brisk out in a towel, carry him to the balcony and unwrap him. He stayed where he was released.
Canadian Peregrine Foundation is very grateful to Neil Armstrong and his wonderful maintenance staff.
It is this sort of action from Building Managers which is helping tremendously in assuring the rebuilding of a species once extirpated in Ontario.
Lyn
Posted on June 19, 2012 9:04 am
June 18, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Marion was *champing at the bit* to go on a search and rescue mission by the time I arrived.
We had a baby on the Rio-Can roof and Haven on the wall above the nest. Haven has a new hunting tactic. She flies to ledge between the black part of the black building and the concrete and chases them. When she did that today she did not pursue them.
Young Solar was up and down on his ledge today, flapping, calling and getting very excited whenever he saw one of the adults flying. Haven was her usual busy self flying here and there and checking on her youngsters. Stormin was also more in attendance today than previous days. The fledgling was doing exceptionally well.
Haven had caught a bird, not sure where but she was perched on the strip between concrete and black on the black building and feathers flying as she prepared it. I saw a Stormin head for this spot and thought hmmm their hunting techniques are similar. I went to investigate and found Stormin mere inches away from \haven as she plucked feathers then looked over her shoulder at him. Next thing I knew she had flown with the food package to the top of the black building to continue preparing it. Stormin remained where he was for the time being but the fledgling *swooped down* from RC, missed his footing whilst trying to land near Haven fluttered, recovered and flew over the top of the black building! Haven continued her job and the fledgling then flew back to Rio-Can.
It was at this point that Marion returned, with thumbs up and beaming. She had found the missing peregrine and he had a red strip on his band so he was Brisk and the fledgling flying so well was in fact Simcoe!
Haven finally finished preparing the food parcel and flew up to the Heart and Stroke building and Simcoe flew to her. Stormin landed on the north-west corner of Canada Square while Simcoe was eating. I think this was more of a morsel than a feed. Later on Haven took another food parcel to Simcoe
Both parents were very attentive to Simcoe in the afternoon with one or the other sitting in his general area.
Later on in the afternoon Solar’s entreaties were answered when Haven dropped off a large food parcel. He disappeared and indulged. Forty seven minutes later Haven fed him again!
There was another calm period of two hours and even after that there was not a lot happening. We had Simcoe wedged into a corner on the Heart and Stroke building, his back to the world. Stormin was on the top floor and Haven was watching over Solar on the nest ledge. Stormin flew away at some point and Haven flew to the Rio-Can building for the night.
It was at this point that we left and Marion released young Brisk. That rescue and release is a story in itself so please look for a separate report posted by Marion. This was a quietly exciting day!
Lyn
Posted on June 19, 2012 8:48 am
June 17, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Canada Square Peregrine report 20120617
I arrived at 8:54 am and of course the first thing I did was search for Simcoe. He was not to be found. Haven was on the Rio-Can building lp0oolking south and Stormin was on the antennal above 2180 Yonge, looking south. I thought possibly Simcoe might be on the part of that building south of the *bump in the middle*. So I decided to go walkabout and went around that block. That meant all the way south past the construction on Duplex Ave, along the street south of 2180 Yonge, past the parking entrance, up Yonge to Eglinton. Because I had to fetch the ID I had left behind I decided to look out over the Black building and that parking lot as well as the front half of 2180 Yonge. Not a bird to be seen.
So I returned to the outdoors and Marion was in place. I gave her my report. We sat for a bit and watched Haven flying, perching and flying again. When I met Marion Stormin had flown from the antenna and Haven was on her way to replace him. About twenty minutes later she flew north on the west side of Canada Square and upset the youngsters still on the ledges.
Simcoe was in this area and also flying about a bit before going south, followed by Haven.
Marion wanted to look for Simcoe and chose to take the opposite route from mine by going along Eglinton to Yonge, down Yonge, along the street with the parking entrance which she went into. Marion went up to the roof and along it to the outside fire stairs and climbed them for a better vantage point. There was no little bird to be seen or heard!
At 10:59 am whilst Marion was away I saw a peregrine flutter into a window and drop several floors. Haven immediately flew in to offer guidance and assistance to gain the height to reach the top of the *black* building. He made it onto the roof but was not on the edge so I could not see him. I believed this to be Simcoe and when Marion arrived I relayed the activity. There was only one eyas visible at this point! I thought I had checked the ledges after the peregrine had flown and had seen two eyases. Not so !! We waited and watched for ages and there was no movement on the lower level. Haven was doing a lot flying around but not to the nest or level below. Finally, an hour after I had seen *Simcoe*, Marion saw him on the edge of the black building. By this time we had established that it was Brisk who had flown!!!
Brisk flew from the edge out of sight and a few minutes later he flew back. Then he moved along the edge all the way around the roof to the second corner.
12:19pm we had him in the air again. This time he was on a long flight from the black building over the residential area. While Marion moved south to an opening I tried north over the 53 Division parking lot because Haven had flown in at speed and low over this spot. I did not see anything. A few minutes later we heard a call and Marion charged up to Eglinton to look for him but to avail. We saw Haven fly to the apartment building and then to the balcony railing on Canada Square. Shortly thereafter Haven flew to RC.
Marion kept scanning the area and at 1:50 found Brisk, pleased as punch sitting on the railing on the balcony on the nineteenth floor! He was not comfortable on the metal and moved off on the concrete wall.
Three minutes later, at 1:53, he flew off the balcony, around the corner of Rio-Can over Eglinton to the roof of Canada Square where he attempted a landing but missed his footing and fluttered down the concrete wall, recovered beautifully and flew out over the old bus bays, around and back onto the roof – perfect landing! All of his flights thus far were strong steady wing flaps and for the most part he either gained height helped by Haven or maintained his height himself. Very impressive. His recovery from encounters with walls is very good too.
Haven flew high and low, back and forth and each time Brisk saw her he squawked. He definitely wanted FOOD NOW! At 4:12 she flew in with a food package for Solar. She continued her flaying and Brisk maintained his squawks! He stayed in the same spot for all these hours. Finally he walked north along the edge of the roof and did make it to the north west corner of Canada Square.
Haven chased a pigeon over Eglinton, must have hit it because it fluttered a bit. Stormin came to assist and someone got the pigeon. It must have been Haven because she flew to the top of the black building and began preparing the bird for one of her offspring. Feathers were flying everywhere and at one point it looked like a snowstorm. Stormin joined Haven and gradually made his way closer and eventually was simply a couple of feet from her.
It was at this point that I lost the thread as I was talking to some people who had stopped and asked what we were looking at. When told peregrines they said thanks and moved off from the traffic light only to stop a bit down the road. It was here I spoke to them.
There were exclamations from the watchers up the road and then again and it from here that I hope Tracy will pick up the story as I did not see much of the activity nor retain what I saw with any clarity.
At the end of the day the rain came down in big drops at first and then the heavens opened and it poured. A very stuffed and wet little peregrine named Brisk did not like being on top of Rio-Can and FLEW to Canada Square where he made a not so graceful landing away from the edge and then popped up on the ledge afterwards. We were being soaked and fled the scene for shelter. I just hope that Brisk stayed put after that.
Lyn
Posted on June 18, 2012 12:04 am
June 16, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I was late arriving this morning, at 9:35. Marion came in five minutes later so we do not know whether the eyases were fed before that or not. Apart from the odd bit of flapping and running along edges there was not much happening. There were still two peregrines on the level one down from the nest and one on the nest level. Haven was sitting with her back to the world on the balcony railing below them. The youngster left on the nest ledge was winding up his wings and then, exhausted he would rest for hours! We did not see Stormin until after 1:00pm. His visit was short-lived! Haven flew in and out but did not make any real effort to coax a youngster off the ledge. Haven visited her larder on the balcony floor below the level where the babies were and hopping back to the top of that balcony wall and ate. A bit of the activity in the afternoon was created by Haven flying from here to there and also checking on the youngsters. Lance and Charmane had visited and Caroline joined us for the watch. There still was not much activity. The heat of the day had affected us all I think. Marion had picked up a coffee and I had taken a break, still nothing. When Caroline said she was going to pick up something cool I thought nothing of it.
At precisely 5:12 pm we had lift-off!! What an epic first flight this was! The fledgling flew from his level towards the black building but changed his mind and direction and flew up Duplex Avenue, across Eglinton Avenue and towards the Rio-Can building where he had seen his mom and dad perch and the window uprights all these weeks and though he would do the same! He did not quite make it and touched a window, fluttered a bit and then Haven steered him away from Rio-Can towards the Canada Square building! He had maintained altitude all the way until he brushed the window! So whilst directing his flight Haven also nudged him upwards to the height of Canada Square’s roof!! He MADE it!!!! Haven is a wonderful mother!! She flew the whole circuit at his side, in front or below him the whole way. She was just amazing. He had good strong flight and did very well. He had left Canada Square half a level below the nest level, flown a complete and very wide circle and ended up HIGHER by two floors and a bit than when he had lift-off!!! No mean feat for a first flight. The very sad part about this was that Caroline Lance and Maggie missed this first voyage. However, we did not know it but there was much more to come! I sort of thought that he had made such a long trip that he would stay put for the rest of the afternoon and sleep up there. Hmmmmm!!
Stormin put in another appearance, lengthier than before. He ate his food parcel. Haven flew in with a food parcel, onto the north edge of Canada Square, right under the fledgling’s nose! He protested she ignored him, had something to eat and then flew onto the nest ledge and dropped of the remains for Solar! Brisk protested and was ignored! Maggie arrived and then Lance and Charmane. Then Tracy arrived and we repeated the story of this epic flight to everyone who would listen. I managed to get a picture of the band tape on this valiant little bird’s leg and also of the one left on the ledge. Simcoe, the eldest, was first to fly at, I believe, forty days old!!! I took a picture of the band tape on the bird left on the ledge – it was red indicating that Brisk was still in place.
At 7:27pm Simcoe took flight again and Haven was with him. He did a semi-circle from the roof of Canada Square, over the old TTC bus bays and he and Haven turned but Haven turned more than he did and was headed back towards Canada Square whereas Simcoe was headed across Eglinton again. He maintained altitude all the way to the 22nd floor balcony wall of the apartment building behind the *gold* building. He brushed the wall, tumbled one, two, three floors down, RECOVERED and flew over the gold building and back over Eglinton where Haven met him. He flew towards Canada Square west wall and lost a bit of height but Haven was right there and coaxed him into landing on the *black building*. He appeared at the very northwest corner and had a think! Then he moved from there along the zig-zag roof top to the third *zig* in from the corner. He disappeared and re-appeared and sat again.
It was 7:46 pm and time to fly again and he did!! He flew from the black building roof towards Canada Square north end of the building. He had lost some altitude after contact with the *glass* wall but Haven launched off the RC and helped him regain enough height to the black building again where he had a bit of a clumsy and hard landing! He was fine though!
7:55 pm Simcoe flew again, right across the old TTC bus bays across Eglinton (again) and onto the north west corner of the gold building at the corner of Duplex and Eglinton. There he looked around and began walking south along the edge of the roof on Eglinton, paused long enough for me to MISS a photo-op, disappeared from the edge and next thing I knew he was airborne again and flew towards the black building via the concrete wall on Canada Square. There he hung onto a grid, briefly,
With Haven’s wonderful guidance and assistance he flew to a black structure on top of the black building where he caught his breath and we caught ours.
I have no idea what time he next flew as I was barely keeping up now with camera, binoculars, notebook, pen (which I temporarily lost) and traffic lights but he flew again from the top of the structure on the black building to Canada Square and managed to get as far as the venting on the concrete wall, low down where he hung on for a few minutes.
Again with Haven’s help he flew once more and she guided him to the black building and attempted to help him with altitude but he was a tired little falcon but this time and settled on a narrow ledge where the black building meets bare concrete! Haven joined him and sat with him for a while before flying off. I think he really wanted to get back to the nest ledge but just did not make it today!
After all that excitement Haven finally *chuk-chuked* and had a serious talk to her first hatched and told him to stay put!! This he finally did.
There was a bit more flying – all Stormin and Havens! Haven flew onto the nest ledge, Stormin flew onto the nest ledge. When Stormin flew off he flew between the two condos and landed on some tiny ledge-cum-decoration on a building beyond them. He stayed put.
Haven finally put in a last appearance on the nest ledge and perched as I had seen her do so many times; back to the world and eye on her young. It was 9:36 and pitch dark when we left. At last look Simcoe was still on his last perch and the two eyases were on their levels on Canada Square.
What an exhausting day for the fledge watchers and of course Simcoe and Haven. Thanks to everyone who pitched in and kept an eye on where Simcoe flew to and from; Marion, Caroline, Maggie, Lance and Tracy. Thanks too, to the many who took the time to stop and find out what we were doing. It is *open house* every day at the corner until the eyases have all fledged and have become strong flyers so do drop in!
I have a strong feeling I missed reporting on one of Simcoe’s flights – I have no note of it but I feel something is missing.
I have no doubt Tracy will add her impressions of the evening so watch for her report and photo’s
Posted on June 17, 2012 9:25 am
June 15, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
When I arrived this morning all three eyases were visible on the two levels at the nest area at Canada Square! Haven was flying around. All of this was a very positive start to the morning. As I was settling in for a long watch I spotted Haven on the old nest ledge with a food parcel. The eyas on the lower level made two attempts to get to the higher level before Haven landed there with the food parcel. Haven fed some of the food to the youngster but then left him to get on with it. I heard calls and Stormin appeared on the Rio-Can building. Haven flew off but reappeared on the top of the wall at the nest.
The eyas on the lower level he was being very carefully watched by his two brothers. They peered over the side of the nest ledge, watching his every move. After half an hour the one little guy could stand the strain no longer and just plopped down onto the lower ledge. He wanted food!! He had some too! Whilst he was so engrossed his brother was attempting again to get back to the ledge above and made another eleven attempts to do so!
There was a lot of flying back and forth by Haven. When Stormin flew to the lower level he was mobbed by the two youngsters now on that ledge. He made a quick retreat and flew to the end wall and perched.
During the day Both Haven and Stormin made use of the old nest ledge. Haven flew back onto the lower level and began cleaning up the leftovers. One of the eyases begged for food and was given a morsel or two before Haven continued eating.
There was not much activity from the peregrine family in the heat of the day and it is just as well because there was not much activity from me either. Marion joined me at 10:00 Haven resumed her activities of the day before by doing fly-bys and short landing and take-offs. Around 1:30 pm there was a great deal of calling and we found Stormin warning the world about a turkey vulture in the area. Stormin managed to frighten it off. At 4:45 pm Marion and I had long since migrated to another bit of shade and we spotted a bird on the ledge next door to the two peregrines level. I said *it has flown, it is next door* or words close to that. Sighhhh! Marion dashed my hopes and said *nope it is a pigeon*. I guess I was a bit carried away.
Activity died down on the ledge again once it was in full sun!
Another turkey vulture went through the area but was nowhere near the nest so no action was needed.
Marion and I were again joined by Lance and Maggie from late afternoon on and Tracy came in the evening.
We saw both Haven and Stormin circling above Canada Square together and we watched Haven chase a pigeon, unsuccessfully. Although Haven was trying to get the eyases to fledge she was not as active as yesterday.
Stormin made a drop on the higher level because that eyas had not received any food today! This naturally stirred interest in the other two even though they had eaten today! One of them began attempts to reach the top level but he was unsuccessful. We signed off at 9:20 and at that point the eyases were tucked away, all activities halted and Haven had flown from the nest wall to the RC building. Stormin was not seen.
During the late afternoon Marion said that one of the babies on the lower level had a yellow band. Sure enough, I took a couple of photos and in one the yellow is quite evident. When looking back through my pictures for the day I found that the eyas which had ended up on the lower level last night was the one with yellow tape! Later on when Tracy arrived she identified the tape on the second peregrine on the lower level as red.
It was Simcoe who was first on the level, yellow tape, followed by Brisk this morning, red tape. Solar was left on the top ledge.
Lyn
Posted on June 16, 2012 2:15 am
June 14, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I was out earlier than usual today as Marion was joining me for the start of the fledge watch.
Haven was doing her darnedest to have one of the eyases fledge but they were not complying. She would fly onto the ledge, pause, be mobbed by the young and would fly off. No food!!! After about the third try they became aware of her intent and just stayed put. There was no rush to mom. As Marion said, *no lunch, no love!*
Stormin was around for the first half hour or so then he disappeared.
Haven was persistent and constantly tried to get one of her babies airborne. She would do fly-bys, *up and overs* of Canada Square and more fly-bys but to no avail. At one point she landed on the ledge and the eyases stayed where they were whilst she lectured them!! She gave them a lengthy talk and must have *chuk-chuked* about fifteen times. Then she flew off and was back a minute later and gave them another lecture. At another point she flew onto the ledge, moved out of sight to the back for minutes before flying off again. When she was between Canada Square and the *black building* she dropped something which fluttered to the ground. Leftovers, perhaps, from earlier feedings?
In between all Haven’s trips to and from the ledge at least one youngster was either sitting, exercising or watching the one who was exercising. When I first arrived I saw all three young but after that it was usually one or two and sometimes the head of the third one.
All of the activity was Haven’s. Stormin flew in at about 3:30, stayed for five minutes then left.
There were window washers busy on the CIBC building across from Canada Square but Haven seemed unperturbed by them until 6:13 when Haven let loose a volley of bad language. We all thought she was yelling at the window washers but then Marion saw Stormin land on the roof of the black building over the TTC garage and deduced Haven was either asking Stormin to account for his time away or she was scolding him for not bringing in food! He did not hang around long. Haven just missed catching a bird almost over our heads and then gave us a private exhibition on *how a peregrine flies*. Airborne poetry in motion!!!
At a later stage we had both adults in the air over Canada Square and near the condos just proving to the eyases how easy flight really is. I must say they do make it look effortless! Stormin naturally disappeared.
He was back an hour later, flew onto the ledge, upset all three eyases and flew off once more. He circled Canada Square and then flew to the north west corner of Rio-Can where he remained hidden from Haven for about forty minutes before flying off.
Haven made several more attempts to coax flight from her young but in vain, until the second to last attempt. She made her usual fly-in-wait-for an-eyas-to-approach-and-then-off-again flight and after blinking my eyes there was one baby on the level immediately below the nest!!!! He looked as surprised as I felt. He looked around, craning his neck, checked over the side and saw what a long way down it was, looked at his brothers looking at him from above and, I am sure, wondered how the dickens he landed where he was!!
Anyway he was resourceful. He flapped the length of his level, ran the length of his level and found he was still where he was. So that did not work. Then he had my heart pounding in my throat as he backed up towards the edge – yes he walked backwards!! I thought he was going to go over but he turned in time and walked another step or two, looked down then back at the ledge and made up his mind. He was going to fly UP to the ledge where his brothers were. He was right on the edge at this point, had his wings slightly opened for flight, walked a step or two forward, *shivered* his wings in anticipation of flight and flew. Unfortunately he did not gain much height and did not make it UP to the ledge. (Sorry, *shivered* is the only word to describe his wing action).
He was a game little chap. After nine attempts Haven flew onto the level but distant from him and he ran to her only to have his mom fly off just as soon as he reached her. He stopped!!! He knew what happened the last time she did that and was darned sure it was not going to happen again.
By this time dusk had turned to dark and the other two brothers had bedded themselves down. Haven was in her nightly position above the nest and I thought it would be safe to leave. So at 9:30 I left. By this time the youngster had made twenty two attempts to get back to his brothers.
I knew at 8:30 when I was cold and hungry that it was a mistake to *wait five more minutes to see if Haven feeds them*. Big mistake! Oh yes, and Lance I hold you personally responsible for the activities which occurred AFTER you left!!! You said something like *I am probably going to miss the big moment or all the fun* or words similar!!! Well, you were correct! Something happened!!!! Good to see you again Lance, I think.
Good to see Maggie and Herb, as well. The members of 53 Division also continue to show their interest when leaving the station. Over the last few days it has been good to see that the interest continues from the people in the neighbourhood. There are still new people asking what we are watching. It is very gratifying to see their amazement when they are told *peregrine falcons*. So keep on coming folks.
Lyn
Posted on June 16, 2012 2:13 am
June 13, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
My four hour watch, today, was not nearly as exciting as yesterday’s watch!
Two youngsters were sitting up on the ledge when I arrived and there were no adults in view. The babies were up and down but mostly up. Half an hour later Haven flew in and sat 8 floors from the top on the Rio-Can building. The two youngsters must have seen her because they squawked. Ten minutes later Haven flew off. As always the youngsters entertained me when no adults were about. Today it seemed to be an issue about who was going to lie in the decreasing patch of shade on the balcony. One little chap was lying down, snug against the wall near the edge. His little brother was standing over him and bobbing up and down. I am sure he was talking about *sharing* but the one in possession was not sharing.
Twenty five minutes after she left Haven flew to the north west corner of the Canada Square nest ledge from last year. She had a large bird which I think may have been a pigeon as I eventually saw some large feathers tugged loose. She began plucking and the feathers went every which way. I also saw feathers come of the roof of 53 Division at the same time and I am wondering whether she initially plucked feathers there. Twenty minutes later Haven flew to RC wi9th the food parcel and perched in the same spot as before her hunt.
Precisely one minute later I heard *chuk-chuk* and Stormin flew in and perched on the corner where Haven had been plucking the bird. He called many times whilst searching the spot for a morsel to eat.
About ten minutes later Haven flew to the nest ledge with the food parcel and was immediately mobbed by her youngsters, almost to the point of being knocked over. She dropped the food and flew to RC. When she had recovered her composure she took a leisurely flight to the north west corner of Canada Square, found nothing and so she circled the building before landing on the wall above the nest. A couple of the youngsters’ heads appeared briefly, checked out their mother and disappeared again. Off and on I heard a youngster calling but Haven was not concerned. Half an hour after dropping off the food Haven landed on the nest ledge and disappeared to the back, I could still hear a youngster calling. A few minutes later Haven appeared on tyhe edge finishing off the remains of the food. A youngster joined her and the two of them appeared to be eating together. Then Haven left the youngster, still eating, and flew to the RC again.
There was more squawking and then calling and I saw Stormin leave the nest ledge and fly to RC. Haven sits upright but Stormin can be a real *slouch-potato* when he feels lazy!
At 7:09 pm Stormin flew off and five minutes later Haven also flew off. She was not gone long and flew from the east with a black coloured bird clenched in her talons. It looked large-ish. She circled over the intersection and disappeared on the east side of the building. Quarter of an hour later she appeared on the fifth wall from the nest and appeared to have a large crop. I assume she ate the whole bird! A few minutes after that she flew to RC again. One of the youngsters on the ledge did a real wind-up routine and had his wings going non-stop and even his little legs were moving! This went on for a few minutes. Finally, he lay exhausted on the edge, looking up and with one wing over the side. Then, oops, he slipped off the edge onto the nest area – fortunately!
I left at 8:00 pm and Haven was perched on RC and the three eyases put in a last quick appearance and that was it. Only Stormin was missing.
Lyn
Posted on June 16, 2012 2:10 am
June 12, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I arrived at 5:27under a clear blue sky and sunshine. There were 2 eyases visible on the Canada Square nest ledge one of whom was sitting on the edge! Stormin was sitting on top of Rio-Can near the south west corner. About ten minutes later he flew to the top floor of RC and perched.
Twenty minutes after that Haven flew in with a large food parcel and circled the Canada Square roof, circled and then flew onto the ledge where, naturally, she was mobbed by her brood! However, a minute later she flew off with the food parcel!! She made a fly-by and then disappeared around the east side of the building.
Stormin then flew to the old nest ledge, landed and called *chuk-chuk * twice. He then flew to the south face of RC and called *chuk-chuk* three or four times before flying back to the old nest ledge and repeating the calling. He flew from the old nest ledge around the side of RC and reappeared a minute or two later and flew from Canada Square to RC and called again. Haven then flew from the east side of Canada Square to the east side of RC. I could not tell if there was food in her talons or not.
When the adults were not entertaining me the eyases were with their *pigeon toed run* along the ledge, or their wing flapping exercises. Haven reappeared on the top floor of Rio-Can and chilled for twenty minutes. Then we had action!
I caught sight of a pigeon with lots of white on it flying up and up along Eglinton towards Duplex. It seemed to be climbing and was totally unaware of Haven perched high up. It knew its mistake when Haven launched and flew directly at it. In its panic it dropped a few feathers, executed a masterful about turn, for a pigeon, at the same time jinking and diving on the west side of Canada Square where Haven hit it a second time and grabbed it and flew onto the black building over the TTC garage. As the pigeon had taken evasive action so Haven followed it, she was quite impressive doing very tight turns up and/or down following the pigeon. I took no pictures and did not even pick up the binoculars so enthralled was I. Haven finally caught the pigeon at about the twelfth floor height on the Canada Square building. All I said was *ohhhhhhhhhhhh*! It took a few minutes before I could see some feathers flying, as Haven and her prey were out of my sight. I also watched with interest as a gull zoomed in on the feathers, flew towards them and then changed its mind. Ten minutes after catching the pigeon Haven was at the edge of the black building preparing to fly. This bird was heavy! Haven took off and dropped in height and was unable to regain it. She flew at about the sixth floor height over the old bus bays, over Eglinton and Yonge and north a bit on Yonge. She circled three times in that general area, large circles gaining height with each circuit and then she disappeared behind the RC. Two minutes later she was back and high enough to fly over Canada Square, towards the condo building, still gaining height and finally she turned back and flew to the RC roof top where she landed with the pigeon still in her talons. What an epic flight that was and I am sure the breeze in this case hindered rather than helped.
The eyases were up and exercising on the ledge and a couple of minutes later I heard a gull squawking in panic. I found the gull with Stormin on its tail. I have no idea why he decided to pick on this gull. Those silly birds have been flying high and low through the area since I have been watching and the peregrines have not bothered them. Anyway, Stormin was intent on chasing the gull away. I actually think he hit it once as the gull seemed to lose height but did continue to fly. Stormin was under, over and at the side of the gull it took evasive action, squawked and climbed. Finally when the bird was higher than Canada Square Stormin took one last charge at it and then he flew to the top floor of RC. The gull, realising it had escaped, this time, made a bee-line for the east side of the tall condo hurling maledictions and epithets as it went. Haven had just sat at the top of RC holding onto the pigeon during this altercation. Five minutes after he had seen the gull out of the area Stormin flew to the old nest ledge again and called. He flew out to RC and then once more back to that old nest ledge, called again and disappeared along the east side of RC.
A few minutes later Haven flew from her perch, pigeon in talons, around the east side of RC and was gone. A couple of minutes after her departure Stormin flew in again and settled on the top south west corner of RC where he stayed for quite some time in spite of the wind!
Forty five minutes after leaving the roof top with the pigeon Haven did a fly-by of the nest and around the south end, circled the building and was gone. Three minutes later she was back with more circling and fly-bys; three times in all. Two of the youngsters were up on the ledge at this point. Four minutes later Haven flew in with a food parcel. She sat of the edge for a few minutes before disappearing. I thought she dropped it off and flew. Not so. She must have been feeding the eyases out of sight. Stormin in the meantime was back on his windy perch on the south west corner of RC. Haven popped into sight from the back of the ledge and sat on the edge. One of the youngsters came right up to her and she moved from him. Not sure if he was expecting more food or not.
Stormin flew off but returned yet again to his perch and that is where I left them at 8:30. Stormin was on RC and Haven on the ledge on Canada Square. A very exciting and eventful few hours for me. I spoke to a number of passersby during this time. Their timing was all wrong as they missed the activity. Some did get to see the youngsters on the ledge.
Personal opinion: I think one of the youngsters is being encouraged to fledge. The fly-bys with and without food, and Stormin’s mission to the old ledge and calling I believe are indicative of something soon to happen!
Lyn
Posted on June 16, 2012 2:08 am
June 11, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
It was a slow day today. I arrived at 5:17 to find Stormin on the mast on 2180 Yonge, Haven on the wall above the nest on Canada Square and two eyases sitting up but away from the edge.
Twenty five minutes after my arrival there was one eyas still sitting up whilst the other napped. An hour after that Haven flew off her perch and over the black building over the TTC garage where she chased a pigeon. The pigeon had terrible fright and dived down to the roof at which point Haven broke of the chase and flew south on Yonge street. Stormin had also disappeared from his perch at about this time.
Four minutes later Haven flew from the Rio-Can building. She must have flown in whilst I watched the eyases going through their exercise routine. Well one was exercising whilst his brother watched and the third one was simply sitting in the shade far from the edge. I could just see the top of his fuzzy little head.
Haven *kited* over RC, gained some height and was over the tall condo, still kiting, she went southwards and then west out of sight.
It was beginning to spit at this point but Haven returned to sit on the antenna atop Canada Square, going from left to right and testing all three before flying behind RC. I think it was a bit breezy on the antenna. A couple of minutes later both the adults were flying over RC but by this time the rain was setting in and I packed up and left. Haven flew to the south face of RC and one of the eyases was sitting with his back to the world on the edge.
Lyn
Posted on June 16, 2012 2:07 am
