At 6:30 A.M. quite a bit of activity going on the nest ledge. Lots of vocalizaion.
6:40 A.M. Freddie flew upon to the Church Steeple and Voltaire flew onto the pipe.
It’s always a pleasure to see the both of them. Easy to see and easy to hear the both of them.
Once again after wintering over on-site for the third consecutive year our dynamic duo are becoming very chummy. Ken Ducharme reports more activity around the nest ledge by Voltaire doing some Spring set up on the nest materials.
Get yourselves a really good big sky view of the Ambassador Bridge sign on the Canadian side and keep your eyes peeled for some fantastic aerial courtship displays. Stooping, close quarter high speed chasing playing and flying past each other at such incredible speeds so close it will put a lump in your throat.
Don’t miss out we’re counting down to egg time!!!
All last years trained volunteers are requested if interested to contact us.
Dennis and the Falcon Crazy team>
After many e-mail over the past few months, and with a huge thank you to Robert for his determination and persistence, it would appear that there could be another pair of territorial peregrines in Windsor Ontario. He has been watching a water tower at Benjamin and Hanna where there has been allot of raptor activity since October of last year. He recently sent us some video that he shot of one of the peregrines at the at the water tower, along with a couple of observation reports.
While we don’t suspect that any offspring has been as yet, if there is a territorial pair holding firm at this site, (and a suitable nesting ledge that the pair find interesting), we may just see a new family in the works.
Robert writes: February 2nd / 2011
Hello again! I captured a little bit of video this morning… put on your headphones because the sound of this particular bird will probably better help you identify it if this is a peregrine.
Follow link to video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJIXsUpcUFY (click the HD 720P link at the bottom right for higher quality video/audio)
Robert.
October 2010 observation:
I don’t know if you’re aware of this but there is a peregrine living underneath the water tower on Benjamin & Hanna.
And if I’m right there might baby falcons up there as well?? I say that because this morning the firefighters were rappel training from the top and the peregrine was getting very very agitated by their presence. It appeared very defensive about its territory.
I know the one has been living there for at least 18 months but it could be longer. I’ll try to capture them on video sometime but they are elusive.
Robert.
Happy New Year Everyone from Dennis and Gwen in Windsor, ON. Saturday, Jan 8th we got to the Bridge site about 10:30 A.M., Voltaire was sitting on the ledge below the nest site. At 11 A.M. Freddie flew in on the nest site a few moments later he flew down on the same ledge as Voltaire. Freddie looks like he is in Courting mode already. While watching them we noticed a Black Squirrel on the bottom ledge nawing on the bloody end of a Pigeon wing. Thought that was a bit strange. We left at 11.25 A.M. Freddie and Voltaire were sitting in the same places. All appears to be in place. We have had no confirmed sightings of last years young.
Keep looking up!
Dennis & Gwen
An Ont Birds report on October 3rd mentioned quickly that both adults were on the bridge and looking well. Its always great to hear.
That is the only way I can describe our family of 5 Peregrine Falcons, Freddie & Voltaire, the Dad and Mom and then the three chicks Bridgette, Windsor and Lancer. Sunday around 6 P.M. we saw Freddie sitting on the pipe resting and then Bridgette came screaming in and basically booted him off as if saying “I’m hungry so go and get me something to eat”. It was funny to see that action! Then she sat on the pipe just screaming to her hearts content. A few minutes later we saw Voltaire fly in with a food package along with Windsor and Lancer. She dropped it on the side of the abutment and then flew of to sit on the Church Steeple. Windsor and Lancer flew off but then came back with Freddie and a smaller bird. Everything was happening so fast it’s hard to say who got the bird. All I know it was so great to see the whole family together. Pigeons seem to be few and far between all the 5 Pegrine Falcons. As you can tell we are both lovers of those amazing creatures. It’s a dream come true for us to see 5 Peregrines flying around here in Windsor. One of our Members emailed us to say that she was driving over the bridge and she saw one of the chicks sitting on the railing. Thanks Vivi. Keep looking up because you never know what you’re going to see.
Gwen
Locked talon flying is when the juvenile birds grab on to each others talons and spin each other around and around. Like a high speed marry go round in the sky. I’m dizzy just thinking about it. This is important for the males because they will need to claim a territory and defend it and attract a mate. This exercise is good for strength and stamina. This also determines who the dominant bird is .
Jerry captured this shot. Sibling interactions are a big facter in the chicks success down the road.
stayed tuned the action just gets better and better.
Everyday that these little creatures survive increases their odds of making it on their own.
Dennis Patrick.
Jerry Peltier, reports.
Hello, this set I just finished. Got these shots Friday during the lunch hour with in a few minutes. Windsor starting off and joining his siblings for some play, and some really cool maneuvers. Sending in the sequence as the show starts and finishing with Windsor. The time I put in at the bridge is well worth it when we’re rewarded with photos like this, frozen in time forever to enjoy.
Also got some cool shots today.
From the beginning , with Windsor taking off, to the end with him coming in & landing, perfect ending for the show. Couldn’t have wrote that script any better. LOL!! Hope you enjoy the shots, more coming later.
THE HIGH LIGHT!!!!
The 3 youngsters join together and fill the frame while I’m snapping shots , unbelievable to have this happen right in front of me, and capturing the moment, priceless.
Thank You Jerry and all the Windsor Team!!!!!!
I am honoured to work with such a kind, giving, supportive group of volunteers. Without their sacrifice none of this would be possible.
Dennis Patrick.
I hope all the pictures come through>
While the “kids” maybe away from the house (or should I say the nest ledge) throughout the day, it may only for a short time depending on the nest site. Now that the juveniles are flighted, they are investigating their new world and they will be honing their new flight skills. While they will be difficult to see them for the most parts throughout the day, they are still very dependant on their parents for food and protection for many weeks to follow.
Remember that the resident adults still have the hardest part of their job still to come. Protection, feeding and training the “teenagers” to hunt and fend for themselves.
For the next 30 to 90 days - (depending on the advancement of each individual fledgling), the juveniles may still be utilizing the nest ledge and still sleeping there at nights, as this is still the only home that they have ever known. Also, remember that this still remains the occupied territory of the resident adults, and these territories (and the nest ledge itself) are still very much under the resident adults control. It is their territory and it will still be protected from all intruders!
Unlike the “non-urban” nesting falcons, most of the urban nesting adult pairs remain on territory all year long and continue to defend the nest ledge and territory throughout the entire year, even during non nesting times.
A far as the juveniles are concerned, their adult parents still have to teach them all of the life skills that the they will have to learn to survive to adulthood, (or should I say, just to survive another day)!!
By mid September, thousands of years of hard wired instincts will have the young juveniles head south on a migration and with upwards of an 80% mortality and many perils and risks ahead of them, the youngsters will need all of the help that they can just to survive their first year. The adult parents have their job cut out for them trying to teach the juveniles how, what and where to hunt food, and how to recognize and escape from all of the “bad guys” out there.
Stay tuned, and keep your eyes to the skies over the next few weeks in and around the nest sites as the best viewing is yet to come!