March 11, 2014 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
For the past several days we have been enjoying a much celebrated warm spell and we aren’t the only ones in the mood for spring. The adult peregrines at nest sites around Ontario are all getting into the groove and are now making regular visits to their nest bowls and ledges. At the Toronto Sheraton Hotel, Rhea Mae and Tiago have been active on the ledge off and on throughout the day and the nest bowl is getting deeper! It is nice to see them on the nest ledge every day now and it won’t be long before the first eggs of the season are laid. I have added some web cam photos from the past few days including one from this morning.
Posted on March 11, 2014 9:39 am
March 07, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Today started off at -12c and as the sun came out warmed up to plus 3 celcius! It’s a glorious day for humans and falcons alike!
Jack and O’Connor spent much time basking in the sun and flying around today. As I was leaving the office at 3:30 I couldn’t find them anywhere so I headed for the subway and as I hit the corner of Bloor and Islington I could hear them. I looked up and there they were on the corner of the Moneris building - where I observed the first mating I’ve seen of this season.
Much later than previous years but not unexpected due to the frigid temperatures. We’re not out of the woods yet but the week looks to be milder than it’s been in a long while!
Posted on March 7, 2014 4:54 pm
March 07, 2014 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
March - 2014
Sorry for the late postings, but we’ve been out in the field over the past four weeks installing all of the new nest boxes and nest trays. We’re finally back in the office and only now just trying to catch-up on all of the great news. Lots of new photos to come!
Well, it appears that we really got lucky this morning! An unusually mild day with no wind and even some warming sun!!! We’re very pleased to report that we were successful in replacing the old MEC nest box and replacing it with a new and improved version.
And the best news is that it appears that the resident adult peregrines, (Sante and Rouge) both approve!
It was an early day, (and a long cool one indeed). Despite the minor challenges, and working straight through the lunch hour, we were successful in the replacement of the old MEC nest box with a brand new and improved nest box made from the new marine poly-composite material!
Most of the exterior components of the old nest box that we installed back in 2000-2001 literally fell apart in our hands during its replacement and it appears that we got there just in time to replace it! A big thank you to Skyreach Window cleaning for their assistance with this process, especially from that of the operators and the extra strong arms needed to get the job done.
Another big thank you to Tracy Simpson, the CPF raptor centre manager for all of her assistance in not only helping me in the making the new nest box, but for her assistance in helping throughout the day, in addition to her efforts working on the camera and internet connection.
A huge thank you to Colliers for providing the funding support for the nest box and to both the MEC management team, the MEC security and engineering staff that worked with us to be able to complete the de-install and re-install of the nest box! There was allot of snow clearing and snow shovelling going on the roof area to be able to get the swing stage in position long before we got there!!! What a great team!!!!
Moments after the install of the new nest box, (and even before we were able to clear the swing stage away), both resident adult peregrines were in the new nest box checking out the new digs!
While the camera’s internet connections are still being worked on behind the scenes, the colour camera is still producing a great real-time live stream to the monitor inside and we can tell you from what we viewed at the end of the day that both the peregrines seemed pretty happy with the new nest box!
Stay tuned, as we are working on the internet connections and replacement of a part needed to connect the camera back to the internet. We should have live colour images very soon!
Spring is finally in the air and egg production is just around the corner!!
Posted on March 7, 2014 11:31 am
March 06, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Tracy Simpson Reports:
A belated post but a great one to start out March!
Quest and Skye have been camera shy lately but now that we are coming close to nesting season the pair have become more active around the nest box. Nice to see that the pair are more active around home!
Posted on March 7, 2014 12:29 am
March 06, 2014 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I am the worst when it comes to reporting sad news and I can never find the right words yet this is an important update so here goes.
On Friday of last week, February 28th, I received a call from Ross with Environmental Services at the William Osler Hospital. He informed me that he had located a deceased bird on the medical centre rooftop and that the bird was banded with a solid black recovery band marked R over 55. I knew right away but confirmed it nonetheless that this was Maverick hatched last year at the William Osler nest site. I drove down and met Ross and the two of us went up to the rooftop for a look. When we exited the door I saw the bird down in the middle of the east side of the rooftop and it was without a doubt little boy blue Maverick.
After removing him from the rooftop I took a good look at him and it was evident that he’d been there for some time. How long I can’t say but certainly his passing was not recent. I was incredibly shocked by this as he was the star flyer of the family this past season being the first to fledge and returning to the nest ledge within hours of his first flight. He never once came to the ground or required a rescue and he was witnessed hunting like a pro with his father Hurricane around the hospital grounds. The last time I can confirm his presence was on July 23rd when I was able to get a photograph of Maverick and his two sisters as they sat on the western ledge. I believe that I also have pictures from later in August so what happened to him and when it occurred is truly unknown. Thank you very much to the folks at William Osler for keeping an eye on the family and supporting them so well. While this is a sad loss to report at this time, we look forward to the coming season with great anticipation.
Posted on March 7, 2014 12:21 am
February 28, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Photos copyright of Public Works and Government Services Canada
Over the past few days there have not been too many good photo shooting days. Bill has been out almost every day but only to find Cirrus and Mackenzie hunkered down trying to stay out the wind and the cold.
However, I have some amazing photos of Mackenzie to share that were taken at the Lift Bridge. I would like to thank Public Works and Government Services Canada for allowing me to use them.
Have a look, they are beautiful photos of a beautiful Peregrine Falcon, Mackenzie.
Posted on March 2, 2014 11:08 am
December 31, 1969 - International, National and Local News
Mark Nash Reports:
January & February - 2014
Despite the bitter cold temperatures and what seemed to be never-ending snow events these past two months, both Tracy and I continued to brave the freezing cold temps and carried on with the manufacturing processes of the new nest boxes and nest trays needed this year to replace some of the old nest boxes and nest trays that are in much need of replacement. In addition to having to replace some of the old vintage nest boxes and nest tray that we built and installed back in the mid 1990’s, we have also built a brand new nest tray and new nest box to accommodate two new peregrine pairs nesting here in both Toronto and southern Ontario.
Unlike the older nest boxes and nest trays that we manufactured back in 1995, 1997 and 2000 at the various nest sites which were made out of only pressure treated wood and stained, newer materials are now available that are very exciting indeed!
Now, the new poly-composite marine decking material that we are using is already coloured and no longer needs to be stained. In addition, the new premium marine decking material is water-proof, UV resistant and incredibly durable that comes with a 25 plus year guarantee!
On the down side, this new premium marine decking material is very costly, very heavy, and requires special screws in addition to everything has to be pre-drilled. It is quite a challenge to work with given the detailed cuts and connections that we have to do in the manufacturing of the nest boxes and nest trays. The up-side and good news is that once constructed, this new material is incredibly strong and durable, and completely UV and water resistant. No fading or rotting!!
While the structural interior frame of all of the new nest boxes we are manufacturing are still made of 2″ and 4″ inch pre-stained pressure treated lumber, all of the outer shell of the new nest boxes are covered with this new marine poly-composite material providing a permanent colour fast UV and water resistant exterior covering.
The new nest trays are for the most parts now completely made from the new poly-composite material and once again, colour fast, completely UV and water resistant!
Stay tuned for the install updates soon to come!
Posted on March 1, 2014 10:41 am
February 21, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
A huge thank you to Murray Shields for sharing this fabulous photo taken when he was at Canada Square. Murray had a visitor outside the 16th floor window and was able to take a photo of Stormin roosting on the ledge. Thanks so much to Murray for the photo and update!
Posted on February 21, 2014 1:14 pm
February 19, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
February 19th - 2014
A huge thank you to Christiane from Rochester New York who was watching the Etobicoke web camera at just the right time today when she snapped a shot of the resident adult female peregrine, (O’Connor) as she took flight from the nest tray. What a fantastic shot indeed, especially from a web camera!!
Thank you MUCH Christiane!! We are all a little peregrine starved these days with the bitter cold temps and all of the snow that we have had, so this shot was very well received!!!
Christiane writes:
Hi!
I luckily captured the attached picture from the Etobicoke webcam yesterday around noon time. I believe it is O’Connor. Please forward this onto the volunteers who report on activity at this nest.
What a beauty she is!
Thanks and Regards!
Christiane Moughan
Rochester, NY
Posted on February 20, 2014 3:18 pm
February 07, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
10:00 am to 11:00 am
-16 C / +3 F
-22 C / -7 F with Wind-chill
Sun and Cloud Mix
Cirrus and Mackenzie
This morning when Bill arrived at the Lift Bridge, there was no sign of Cirrus or Mackenzie until he walked under the bridge and rounded the bushes to the pier. There he found Cirrus having a meal and a perfect photo opportunity.
Mackenzie was around, because he could be heard whining, but could not be spotted. After Cirrus finished her meal and had cleaned herself up she took off and as Bill was following her with the camera, Mackenzie must have stooped in and grabbed the meal because when Bill turned around, the carcass was gone. That was it, everyone had disappeared.
Posted on February 7, 2014 8:13 pm
