September 05, 2018 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marion Nash Reports:
I know you have all missed keeping track of your local peregrine families but there is good news.
We now have someone to help with the web site and can post all the latest news.
Here is a quick summery of the 2018 nesting season, banding events and fledge watch. If you notice that I have not posted any information about the Bloor and Islington nest site it is because the nest failed this year. O’Connor the adult female has been replaced by a new female who although did lay eggs they did failed to hatch. We are not sure if O’Connor was killed by the new female in a territorial battle or if she has moved to an as of yet unknown location, hopefully the later is true.
Fledge Watch
although the fledge watchers were kept very busy by the fledglings and preformed many rescues we are happy to say that of the 41 chicks banded this season there were only 4 lost and 1 injured.
1 of the chicks lost produced at the Burlington Bridge nest was very sick with Trichominiasis a protozoan infection too advanced to save and who passed during extraction from nest.
The Second loss was Gigi from the Mississauga MEC nest site who unfortunately hit a window and died on impact.
The 3rd was Sun from the Toronto Downtown Sheraton Hotel nest who had gone missing for over a week and although our watchers made a tremendous effort to find him they began to expect by the end of the week that he passed. Unfortunately he was later found dehydrated and starving he was taken into rehab but passed same day.
I also got a report yesterday that one of the fledglings from 220 Duncan Mill Rd. Was found over the September long weekend in Hamilton with an injured wing. It turns out it is Loki identified by his band number X over 85. x-rays have been taken and shows a broken wrist so we are waiting on a report from the vet to see if this break is operable.
One other injury happened this year to the Adult male Lucifer in Kitchener at the CTV nest site and has been in rehab. Lucifer had a broken with that was operated on and he is now in flight pen to work the wing, His mate Mystery managed to keep her 4 chicks fed and protected but this is where the 4th loss comes in one of the chicks hopped off the nest box onto the tower where he spent a day or 2 and disappeared he was never found on the ground so we assume he was grabbed by and owl during the night. Hopefully all goes well for Lucifer and he will be released back to his mate soon.
Banding Events 2018
We are looking for funding to buy bands for next year as the Federal government is not longer supplying them to the Provinces and the Province of Ontario did not budget for them. If you are interested in supporting the banding program and help protect our Ontario produced falcon chicks please kindy make a donation to The Canadian Peregrine Foundation. You can send a cheque to the foundation at 25 Crouse Rd. Suite 20 Toronto, Ontario M1R 5P8 or go on line and click our donation button on the front page of the web site at www.peregrine-foundation.ca and click on Donate Canada Helps.
This year there were several unhatched eggs and most of the chicks hatched were male. The weights at banding age for most of the chicks was also low compared to pervious years.
May 22nd 2018
Mississauga MEC
Female-GIGI
band Z21
William Osler Hospital
Male-Indy
band X14
May 23rd 2018
Windsor Ambassador Bridge
Male-Hermes
band Y59
May 24th 2018
Hamilton Sheraton Hotel
Male-Lawrence
band
Y50
Male-Ainslie
band Y51
Male-Gage
band Y52
Male-Lisgar
band Y60
May 25th 2018
Oshawa Lakeridge Hospital
Female-Ripley
band Z22
Burlington Lift Bridge
Male-Cooper
band Y61
Male-Jackson
band X13
May 29th 2018
220 Duncan Mill Rd.
Male- Thor
band X83
Male-TT
band X84
Male- Loki
band X85
Male- Velcro
band X87
June 5th 2018
Canada Square
Male-Petrus
band X95
Male-Bart
band X97
Male-Ricklin
band R14
June 5th 2018
Rogers Centre
Female-Diamond
band Z23
Male-Grand Slam
Band Z24
Male-Homer
Band X94
June 5th 2018
Toronto Downtown Sheraton Hotel
Male- Geoff
Band X15
Male-Sheraton
Band X92
Male-Sun
Band X93
June 6th
OPG Pickering
Female- Millidarry
Band Z25
Female-Candu
Band Z26
Male- Chadwick
Band R15
Male-Cobalt
Band Z27
June 6th 2018
Scarborough Yellow Pages
Male-Alfa
Band R16
Female-Sierra
Band Z67
June 8th 2018
ADM Mills Port Colborne
Female- Mongolia
Band Z59
Male-Brandon
Band X03
Male- Macaroon
Band X07
female-Red Velvet
Band Z63
June 20th
Mount Sinai Hospital
Male-Chase ( banded when rescued during fledge)
Band X05
2 other chicks not banded ( believed to be male)
June 27th 2018
Don Mills Amazon
Male-Professor X
Band X04
Female- Chalaza
Band- Z38
June 28th 2018
Kitchener CATV Tower
Female-Eos
Band Z39
Female- Sadie
Band Z40
Male-Monarch
Band X12
Male-Mercury
Band W92
There were also 2 Quarry sites that produced chicks as did the Mississauga CRH Cement plant but due to bad logistics this year we were unable to get the age of the chicks in time to band. Hopefully we will get the information a bit quicker next year and if we are able to raise the funds needed to continue to band your chicks.
I will post some pictures soon.
Posted on September 5, 2018 4:40 pm
May 16, 2017 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
Team Leader Paul Gosselin has confirmed sighting 4 chicks in the nest at the Ambassador Bridge. Voltaire and Victor have been busy feeding and caring for the young. Should be another busy watch year!
Posted on May 16, 2017 7:47 pm
March 28, 2017 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
Paul reports that Voltaire has been sitting in the nest box this evening and received a delivery of food from Victor. She left the nest for a few minutes but returned and settled in again quickly. Looks like we may have eggs in the nest.
Posted on March 28, 2017 7:31 pm
July 15, 2016 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
One of our volunteers, Denis Dupuis, sent this link to a video clip of Voltaire, feeding Westview. In the perimeter, watching dinner time, is another of the young, Ariel.
https://youtu.be/fZ3EqjN2qvw
Thank you, Denis, for this great clip!
Posted on July 15, 2016 11:07 pm
June 23, 2016 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
The Windsor Peregrine Falcon Watch team will be gathering for a wrap-up celebration at 6pm on Friday, July 15th at the Dominion House on Sandwich Street, just a few blocks west of the bridge. Whether you joined in to officially “watch”, came by to learn about the Peregrines, brought a camera down to get some photos, or just generally enjoy seeing these magnificent birds in our city, you are welcome to come and join for story-telling together and enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded people. The Dominion is close to the bridge so that folks can pop over for some time watching before or after the gathering.
We had lots of great people watching and protecting the fledglings again this year. Thank you to all who gave of their time, their energy, and their passion again this year.
We are so fortunate to have the support of our friends at the Ambassador Bridge Corporation, Erie Wildlife, Brack Animal Hospital, and of course, the Canadian Peregrine Foundation! Thank you all!
Hope to see you at the DH soon! We will lift a toast in memory of Viper.
Posted on June 23, 2016 10:02 pm
June 23, 2016 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
We have just learned that one of the Windsor nest Peregrines from the 2012 hatch, a female named Viper, has died from injuries apparently sustained in a fight for her nest. Viper was a very large female and those of us who watched the young in 2012 were so impressed by her flight skills and her beauty. Viper had nested in Lansing, Michigan with her mate, Eckert, at the Board of Water and Light for the past few years. She had a successful hatch of 4 young this year.
I am including the link to the Lansing Facebook site where there is more information and photos available.
Soar high and free, Viper.
https://www.facebook.com/LBWLPeregrineFalcons/posts/995591163881761:0
Posted on June 23, 2016 8:19 pm
June 18, 2016 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
All the young are flying and getting to ledges and girders quite well. Paul, Denis, Steve and I believe that Pulse spent much of the day on a ledge near the nest. Maybe tomorrow he’ll be ready for more flights. All of the others are getting good practice with chases and even a bit of “tag” with Voltaire.
It is looking like the need for vigilant watching is coming to an end. Of course, it is still possible that a fledgling will need assistance…we really can never predict. But at least now, they are staying off the ground and building skills and confidence with each day.
Thank you to the team for great watching and some very long days and nights! Your dedication and commitment to our Peregrines is amazing and a wonderful gift.
It is always nice to have new folks join in and personally, I have really enjoyed getting know Steve and Denis this year. Also, chatting with some of our photographer friends (thinking of Mel and Tim) has been great, and having them be willing to share some of their beautiful photos has been very generous of them.
They say that it takes a village to raise a child. Clearly from our history, it takes a community of caring, dedicated people to protect these young Peregrines so that they have a chance to go out and make it on their own.
Great work, everyone! The real fun begins now with “flight school.” I’m sure I’ll see you around the bridge.
We will plan a volunteer gathering soon to celebrate another successful year…Maybe pizza at the bridge.
Special thanks to Mel Diotte, Tim Jarrold, Steve Atkins, and Larry Ludwicki for sharing their great photos!
Posted on June 18, 2016 9:46 pm
June 17, 2016 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
Earlier this evening, Pulse was released on the rooftop where he paced and flapped a lot. He seemed very anxious to return to the bridge and his familiar surroundings.
Pulse lost his footing on the roof, slid to the brickwork of the building wall, tried a short, low flight across University Avenue, and gradually made his way to a fence rail on the bridge side of the street. He then took another short, low flight and came to the faculty lot next to the bridge, and took a walk along the base of the bridge.
Our faithful volunteer, Paul Gosselin,slowly and respectfully walked along beside Pulse until Pulse got onto the curbing near the fencing behind the bridge. As I watched from a distance, Paul squatted down beside Pulse, staying very still and quiet. Suddenly Pulse hopped onto Paul’s arm. He then climbed up to Paul’s shoulder and then decided to hop onto Paul’s head. Fortunately Paul was wearing a hat! Pulse perched on Paul’s head and Paul very slowly raised up, giving Pulse the opportunity to then hop over onto the fence rail.
From the rail, he made his way to the equipment shed and then the trailer rooftop in the construction area under the bridge. He then made his way to the roof of a construction van where he sat for a while. We were concerned that the workers arriving in the early morning would startle him and he could be in trouble again.
Paul again worked his magic and was able to coax Pulse to get back on his arm again. From there, Kim (from the Bridge Company) helped to get him into the cage. She brought the lift back again and put him on the second cement ledge of the bridge,up above the faculty lot where we hope he will find good footing and a safe resting place for the night.
These birds never cease to amaze me!
Great job, Paul! I never would have believed this if I hadn’t seen it myself! It was very evident that Pulse knew he was safe with Paul and that Paul was there to assist. Paul is now, officially, the Windsor Peregrine Whisperer!
Hoping for a good rest for all tonight and maybe a better flight tomorrow.
Posted on June 17, 2016 1:06 am
June 15, 2016 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
The first off the nest this year is a male and volunteers have named him, Westview, for a new school in the west end of Windsor, whose mascot is the falcon. Next off the nest was a male who was named, Gordie (for Windsor’s own, Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe). Next to fly was a female, and the group chose, “Ariel” for her. The other female fledged next and the group decided to honour our local nature area and our Aboriginal neighbours with the name, “Ojibway.” Finally today, our last fledling, a male, has emerged from the nest, and the name chosen by our team, was “Pulse” in order to honour the lives of our brothers and sisters in Orlando.
The team came up with some great names again this year, and we have some ideas still on the table for future use.
Thanks to everyone for helping us name our brood. We have some amazing and very dedicated folks helping to keep our fledglings safe.
Posted on June 15, 2016 10:51 pm
June 15, 2016 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
Fledgling number 5 (still unnamed) apparently spent last night in the nest box, well out of sight as our team spent many hours searching after we thought this one had launched. This morning, she finally tried her wings but was not very successful yet. She basically made her way to the ground but without injury. After getting her onto a fence, she tried again with the same result so volunteers got her safely into a cage and she was taken to Erie Wildlife Rescue for banding and some additional rest. Hoping to be able to release her on the rooftop tonight.
Thanks to Mel Diotte and Denis Dupuis for some more great photos. Several show the reunion of 2 fledglings with Voltaire on the rooftop, getting a nice meal with mom. Beautiful photos!
Posted on June 15, 2016 6:20 pm
