Quest popped in at the nest site today and was doing some work on the nest bowl. She was scraping, pebble picking and being quite animated.
This morning on the nest ledge Rhea Mae and Tiago were both at the nest tray having a wonderful moment together. It won’t be long now before the first eggs are on the way!
9:30 am – 11.00 am
-2C / 28F
-7C / 10F with wind chill
Sunny and clear
When we arrived at the Lift Bridge this morning, we found Cirrus in the nest box and Mackenzie was standing guard from the Hamilton Hydro Tower. In a flash, Mackenzie took over nest box duties but never actually entered the box. Cirrus went to the Hamilton Hydro Tower. We thought for sure that incubation might have started, but I guess not. A short time later, Mackenzie returned to the Hamilton Hydro Tower and began hunting from the very top. After a couple of dives, he managed to grab himself a Starling. He circled and circled screaming trying to gain altitude. He eventually made it to the roof of the Hamilton Lift Bridge Tower. He began showing off to Cirrus as he was flying between the Towers showing her how successful he had been. I guess he wasn’t very hungry because he eventually stored the catch on the cat walk of the Hamilton Hydro Tower. They were both back and forth and in and out of the nest box. While Cirrus sat on the edge of the box, Mackenzie took off alarm calling. We followed and found that he was after a Juvenile Peregrine, who appeared to be passing through. Mackenzie made it very clear that it was not welcome in the area. Cirrus watched from the nest box. We wonder if it was one of the kids from last year. Sure would be nice to know if any survived the winter.
Spring is definitely in the air. While we were at the Lift Bridge today, all the guys were hard at work to make sure that everything is running smoothly. The horns were blowing, the bells were ringing and the wigwams were being tested. The Lift Bridge made it first lift of the season. Looks like all is ready to go. BRING ON SPRING.
This is an email we received from Paul last night, Sunday, March 16, 2014
Went to check the birds after supper. Freddie and Voltaire were on the same ledge on West Side of Bridge. Saw Voltaire go into new nest location. Stayed 15 minutes in there, then circled above me 3-4 times then went back to see Freddie.
That’s it for tonight,
Paul
This morning I managed to catch both Jack and O’Connor in the nest box together and this evening O’Connor is spending the night at the nest box. It’s 8:25 pm and she’s still perched on the nest box.
Bill arrived at the Lift Bridge to find Cirrus on the edge of the nest box and Mackenzie on the vent, lake side, at the top of the Hamilton Bridge Tower. Cirrus is not straying very far from the nest box these days. In fact, she is spending quite a bit of time inside the box. During the time Bill was there, they mated twice.
Mackenzie started to alarm call and Bill thought he was going to go back over to Cirrus. However, it turned out that he was REALLY upset because of a juvenile Bald Eagle that was getting too close. The chase was on and the last Bill saw of Mackenzie was him chasing the Eagle out of the territory.
Chad and Chris assist the Ohio DNR in monitoring the nest sites in and around the area and are fabulous photographers to boot!! This past weekend they visited the Cleveland Clinic to check in on Ely and Dipper, the adult resident pair, and took some incredible photos of our dear Ely.
Ely was hatched in 2008 at the 18 King Street East nest site to Erin and Windwhistler and has been doing great down in Ohio for several years now. It is always great to know where our juveniles end up as adults and it is thanks to the banding efforts that we make. Please enjoy these exquisite photos of Ely taken by Chad and Chris in Ohio!!
Yesterday our site watcher Cathy Kerr was out at the Duncan Mill Road nest site and managed to capture a quick photo of Quest and Skye atop the neighboring 220 Duncan Mill Road office building. Both adults have been seen off and on the camera lately and it would appear that spring eggs may be in the making. Thanks to Cathy for checking in and sharing her update.
For the past month both Jack and O’Connor have been seen every day at the nest tray and they have been regularly excavating the nest scrape. This morning O’Connor was really feeling it and was in the scrape working away. She dug deeper, tested it out and then sat on the ledge watching Jack in flight around the ledge. It won’t be long now before the first egg arrives despite the weather that is on the way for Wednesday. Cold temperatures and another 20cm of snow will be coming but I don’t think it will deter these two. They’ve been ready for a while now!!
I have been seeing both Erin and Windwhistler on camera regularly attending the nest ledge and working on the scrape behind the pillar. Yesterday, Erin worked on the nest bowl for a good 10 minutes before deciding to take a break. She is already practicing her position over the eggs and chicks as seen when posing for the camera on her tarsus. We are looking forward to the first egg for our oldest pair in Ontario in the coming weeks!! I have added photos of Erin from yesterday’s nest bowl excavation.
