checking on Yellow Pages site and found the male incubating and Lyn on the top peak of the building. They have 3 eggs. We were able to get a shot of the males band and can confirm it is George from North Grand Isle bridge New York who first showed up here in 2015.
Well, 2023 has been an interesting as well as emotional time at our local peregrine falcon nest site down at Islington and Bloor.
First was the death of the resident female D’arcy. It wasn’t long after her demise that another female showed up. The new female is not banded.
More recently a new male has come in and taken over. Our long time male, Lucky, has unfortunately been pushed out. Lucky was a Toronto born bird and one helluva dad. We have no idea where he’s gone off to since this younger male moved in on his turf. We just hope he is well and will find a new territory, and mate.
Now for the new male. My Rexdale friends should take note of this. Meet Romeo. He was born at Etobicoke General Hospital up at Hwy 27 and Humber College Blvd in 2017. I probably had my bins on him that spring during fledge watch. Who knows where he’s been the last 5 years but peregrine does mean “having a tendency to wander”. This photo of him bringing in food to the female was taken by my friend and fellow watcher Roger. Thanks to Roger for being able to get photos of the bird and confirming his ID through pictures of his leg band numbers. Roger has named the unbanded female Anne after his wife.
I don’t like these changes but I know this is how nature works. Survival of the fittest, only the strongest survive, blah blah blah. As a watcher, one cannot help but get attached to the birds year after year. I saw some amazing parenting from Lucky and D’Arcy during past fledge watches. Shit that makes your heart jump into your throat as you gasp at what you are seeing, Seeing an adult fly under a struggling juvenile bird, giving it bumps to help keep it from coming down to the busy street below. WOW! Or intervening as a juvenile gets too close to the reflective glass of the office towers, trying to keep its offspring from making a potentially deadly collision with the windows. WOW WOW WOW! As someone who has seen young birds hit these windows. The sight and sound of the strike is unforgettable. It’s heart breaking when you have to recover a dead young falcon. So when you see a parent bird step in and prevent a strike, it is a real whirlwind of emotions.
I hope the two new adult birds are up for the challenge of raising young falcons at this somewhat dangerous nest site. As you can see in the bottom photo, their first egg came sometime this morning. I wonder how many eggs there will be? Fledge watch will be later in the season, if all goes well.
ADM Mills reports 5 eggs in the nest box.
there are now 4 eggs. I am so happy to see the egg production up from last year at most of the nests.
4th egg laid April 8th.
So, I’ve been watching this site very closely… And Quest and Canuck, well, they are a couple. I observed mating today, so I expect to see her down on eggs sometime next week. This is a first for CPF… Mother and son. I’m sure it’s not a first elsewhere but it is here. So, something different. But it is what it is. From now on, I will be referring to him as her mate. And watching with great interest. She’s our girl and we hope for the best for her and Canuck.
April 6th William Osler Hospital another egg this morning.
Just got feedback from the hospital. Yes, the female is incubating but she is right under the camera so it’s a bad angle to see there are eggs just not sure how many.
Bruce and Canada Square security did a check on Haven’s nest today and can confirm 3 eggs for sure. Security got a photo of 3 eggs on March 29th and Today she was staying very tight to the eggs so there is a possibility of 4.
Hi Marion - Just to advise number two was laid this morning - fingers crossed for three and four? Marlene
1st - April 2 2nd - April 4