May 15, 2014 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
Thursday May 15th - 2014 AM fledge watch report.
Thick fog was an understatement early this morning, as most of the greater Toronto and surrounding area was completely fogged in with a thick soupy fog that offered less than 30 feet of horizontal visibility and less than that in vertical visibility!! My drive from Scarborough to the Mississauga this morning took forever despite the lack of any real traffic. What traffic that was on the road this morning at 5am was going very slow because of the lack of visibility due to the heavy dense fog.
Upon my arrival at the MEC, you couldn’t see a even a quarter of the way up any of the office towers, let alone see their tops, including that of the condo’s to the south where Mason was roosting at my departure at 10pm last night.
For nearly the first three hours this morning, all I could do is wait for the fog to lift. As the hours rolled by, the darkened shadows of the buildings slowly started to materialize from within the fog. Finally by 8:00am, with help of my binoculars and with allot of squinting I could see one of adult peregrines in the nest box through the fog.
By 8:45am, I could hear Mason vocalizing somewhere to my south on the upper fogged out level of the condo but still couldn’t see the upper portion of the condos. Moments later, the adult female (mom) appeared out of the fog an landed on the upper back corner of MEC #4, fixated into the fog in the direction of the condos where Mason was vocalizing.
By 9am the fog finally thinned to the point where I could see the ledge on the condo where Mason was last seen at darkness the night earlier, but despite all my efforts to locate him, (and his vocalizing), he was no where to be found on the upper ledge. With mom clearly in view now, starring at the condo, I started to scan the upper balcony’s with my binoculars. After several minutes of searching, I was finally to locate him on a balcony trapped behind the darkish blue glass. Almost at the same time, mom located him and immediately flew over to him landing on the roof elevation just above him.
We all watched him as he thrashed and banged himself up against the blue glass balcony for more than 30 minutes trying to get through the balcony glass without success. Throughout this timeframe, I was able to contact the security, then speak with the condo property manager to arrange a face to face meeting to organize access to the condo suite to attempt a rescue should Mason be detained for a prolonged period of time, (in addition to alert the property manager and any occupants of the condo suite).
While Grace and Marg keep a close eye on him, now visible from their ground location, I attended the condos and met with the property manager to arrange access to the suite to do a rescue. During my conversations with the condo property managers and the unit owner, Grace radioed to me that mom had flown off and minutes later returned with food for Mason trying in an effort try and coax him up and out of the glass enclosed balcony and up to her overhead position. Sadly, there was no way Mason (or any peregrine for all that matter) would have ever been able to fly vertical up to her elevation, especially given the confined space and his very limited flight skills.
Almost as if she was giving him instructions, (and telling him that I was coming), he finally jumped up onto a patio chair, then jumped a little higher onto a patio table, and finally to the top of the balcony rail, (using them as stepping stones to get to the top of the balcony rail, and above his glass confinement).
Just as I was getting into the elevator to go up to the suite with the property manager, and with the fog having finally lifted above the roof top, and with mom in tow, Mason finally took flight north-ward and eventually ended up landing on the top of the upper roof retaining wall on MEC #1, the nest building!!! He’s finally returned back home, - (well almost home)!! We say that, (almost home), as he has yet to be able to return to the nest ledge itself,, which takes much more skill.
This time, Mason actually gained a little altitude, and although Marg said his landing was allot to be desired, he did manage to land (and stay) on the top of the retaining wall ledge without slipping off. Dad immediately flew in with food and fed him, almost as a reward for his efforts. Unlike when the his mom feeds him, Mason mantled aggressively and ran dragging the food some distance away from the dad to protect his prize. This single action and observation sheds yet a little more evidence that this adult male may not be his father. Throughout the entire week, we have all observed the resident male at this site digging his new nest scrape in the nest box, and he is continually trying to coax the adult female into the nest box. In addition, both adults are still copulating more than a dozen times a day, every day since we started the watch five days ago!
By my departure at around 11:30am had Mason still roosting on the upper retaining wall ledge and settled. The past 18 hours was quite an ordeal and obviously quite a stressful event for little Mason. All part of the leaning experience.
After speaking getting an update from Grace and later speaking to Tracy later this evening, Mason spent the balance of the day on the nest building roof and retaining wall ledge. Sometime between 8:30pm and 9pm, Tracy texted me to report that Mason has just taken another flight over to MEC #3 and landed successfully again on the upper elevations.
Posted on May 15, 2014 10:47 pm
May 15, 2014 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
Paul and I stopped by the bridge this evening and Paul had the scope to assist in viewing the nest. Voltaire was moving around more and facing west instead of east tonight. Paul thinks he saw her bobbing her head in a way that looked like she might be feeding a chick. No baby heads spotted but she isn’t lying down facing east as she has been for the last few weeks. I think we may have at least one chick now.
I would think with the rapid growth of chicks, if there is one hatched now (or more), we should be seeing heads and hearing cries very soon.
Will keep you posted as more news develops.
Cheers,
Marilyn
Posted on May 15, 2014 6:49 pm
May 15, 2014 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
On May 9, Wendy observed activity around the nest box at 8:30 and 10:30. At 10:45 she observed 3 grines flying down from the building and all flew south together. At 1:00 p.m., one grine swooped around the building. On May 10, Tony also saw 3 grines flying together at about 1:00 p.m. On the watch for about 1 ½ hours, he didn’t seen anyone return to the nest box.
On May 12, Wendy reported a lot of activity in the morning. Between 9:45 and 10:45 a single grine was observed flying and leaving the nest area 6 times. She did see one arrive with food on one occasion. Later on, Tony observed “Caster came to the nest box at 12:30 p.m. He was squawking as he was getting there. I couldn’t see if he was carrying anything but as he got close, I heard some sounds that I haven’t heard before and it sounded to me like multiple voices chirping (not the usual squawking). He stayed in there for 2 minutes before leaving. I could see him rustling around a bit while he was in there and then left.“
In the evening, Rudy was on the watch at 7:15 and observed: “… a grine flew in and landed on one of the concrete parapets. No food was brought in. It appeared to be the female. After 10 or 15 minutes Caster came out of the box and they did a few acrobatics but I did not see any food traded. The female then went into the box and Caster sat for about 20 minutes before flying off towards downtown Waterloo. He was gone for about a 1/2 hour and returned with a package that was probably a dove. He sat the parapet on the King St. side and proceeded to clean the quarry. It rained feathers for almost 20 minutes. Once cleaned, Caster flew to the parapet on the right side of the box. The female came out and they vocalized a bit before he flew off to the Park St. side. She sat inspecting the package before flying into the box with it. Caster flew back to the King St. side a few minutes later and was still there when I left at 8:45 as it was getting dark and the rain was starting. It looks as though we probably have a hatch!”
On May 14 at 7:45 p.m., Tony and Rudy confirmed that all 4 eggs have hatched!!!! Tony was able to take a few pictures to reveal the little pile of falcons in amongst many flicker feathers and others in the nest box. Mark reviewed the pictures and commented, “One has just opened its eyes (barely) and is the youngest. The oldest looks approximately 4 to 5 days old max. That being said, the opportune banding date based on the oldest age is Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 6.“
Congratulations Falcons! Let the games begin!!! If anyone is interested in joining the fledge watch, please contact Tony at: tonybergauer@gmail.com. The fledge watch will start on about Friday, June 13. A lucky day for our little falcons!!!!
Photos courtesy of Tony Bergauer.
Posted on May 15, 2014 2:57 pm
May 15, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Our poor tiercel Jack just loves to feed his kids however O’Connor rarely will allow him to. This morning she had left for a few minutes and I guess he saw his chance to get in there with a little something. She must have been watching because as he came back, she zipped right in for the block.
He tried bribing her by beak feeding her but she wasn’t budging. I managed to capture 2 photos of that tender moment.
Posted on May 15, 2014 12:29 pm
May 15, 2014 - Toronto - King Street
Kathy Reports:
Mom is feeding the little one and I was able to get a clear screen capture of him or her :)
Posted on May 15, 2014 6:17 am
May 14, 2014 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
May 14th - 2014 - PM fledge watch report:
In short, (gatta be back on site tomorrow a 5am),
Mason was released back to his parents this evening after spending some quiet time recharging after his window washing bump, bash, smash then crash to the ground flight at 6:15 am this morning. Successfully rescued by Tracy, - no serious injuries, just allot of bruised pride and discouraged and out of steam!
Before I had even left the roof top, Bruce was calling me on the 2-way radio to announce - “HE’S OFF AGAIN”, this just as it started to pour rain! Very heavy rain flooded the streets and rooftop as I hurried to get down through the roof hatch to stay dry.
Mason bolted from the roof top around the north side of the MEC #1 Roof top than hooked around south for a direct flight to the one of the upper elevations of the odd shaped condos the next street south of Robert Spec Parkway, and landed rather well despite a gusty tail wind pushing him along and pelting large rain drops hitting him from above and sideways from the winds.
While it took close to a half and hour both parents finally spotted him and attended to watch over him. Mom actually flew in and visited him with some food, (perhaps for another reward for taking another flight).
Over the next couple of hours, both parents went on several hunts with the adult male scoring a great kill after an intense chase and a fantastic stoop, resulting in one less pigeon. Bruce announced over the radio, “he’s coming your way” and sure enough, seconds later, the adult male flew in from the west with a large pigeon held tight in his clutches being pulled down to the ground were they both crashed onto the concrete ground in the rear parking lot of MEC # 4 where I was positioned.
At that very moment seconds after crashing to the ground, one of MEC security guards drove into the parking lot after seeing the birds fall to the ground believing that one of the peregrines was in danger. Sadly, the adult male peregrine
abandoned his fresh kill and flew off.
By darkness, Mason was still on the same elevation of the condo where he had earlier landed, very wet and roosting quietly, and Dad was roosting above him on a higher elevation keeping a very close eye on him. With the rain continuing, and almost total darkness, we closed the fledge watch for the evening and departed for home.
See you all tomorrow………
Posted on May 15, 2014 12:44 am
May 15, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Mark Nash Reports:
May 15th - 2014
I was finally able to get back to the Amexon nest site at Don Mills and Eglinton this afternoon to do a quick check. While we aware that their had been a hatch, we needed to know just how many (and in particular, how old are the hatchlings) to see if we can coordinate and arrange a banding time with MNR?
With a lucky few minutes as the rain stopped, I was able to snap a few photos of mom along with her three newest family members. Three new bright white hatchlings were observed all huddled together after just being fed.
The three young hatchlings appear to be between 10 and 13 days old and they all look very healthy indeed. Obviously the forth egg didn’t hatch and has long since been eaten by one of the resident adults.
Congratulations to the Amexon management group!! Your foster parents again this season, this time with three hatchlings!!
Stay tuned with more news as it becomes available……
Posted on May 15, 2014 12:37 am
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
Posted on May 14, 2014 10:58 pm
May 14, 2014 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
Believe it or not, Trillium has laid another egg (Her 6th one of the year). This comes 2 weeks after the 5th egg was laid and for some reason destroyed. Our hopes are not high for this egg to hatch after what has happened so far but we have our fingers crossed & are still hoping the birds will have some success this year.
Posted on May 14, 2014 10:25 pm
May 14, 2014 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Marilyn Weller Reports:
I’m writing from the bridge where I’ve been watching for the past hour. It looks like Freddie was in the nest when I arrived but Voltaire flew in and took over so he left. He sat on the girders under the bridge and ate a bit and has been gone now for about 30 minutes.
I haven’t seen any evidence yet of any chicks and am still hoping to see Freddie return with a fresh kill. It might be evidence of chicks if he takes food to Voltaire and she begins feeding. There could be chicks that aren’t visible above the nest tray but it sure looks like she is lying on eggs.
Will keep you posted of any news. Should be any time now!
Cheers,
Marilyn
Posted on May 14, 2014 7:59 pm
