July 04, 2013 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
Early this morning I saw both Cosmina and Anastasia on the south side of a building south of the King Edward Hotel. The one lying down while the other appeared to be poking at it. “Get up, let’s fly” but no, it would stand up appearing darker the it’s sibling, and then lie down again. I guess it was a little water logged from the recent rain fall we had here in the city.
Posted on July 4, 2013 7:05 pm
July 04, 2013 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
On July 4th,
Debbie observed: “One adult bird was guarding the nest box. Another bird (juvenile) was on the antenna of the hospital. The juvenile then flew down where it was invisible. Then I heard a falcon behind the CTV tower.”
Posted on July 4, 2013 1:43 pm
September 09, 2013 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
On July 4th,
Debbie observed: “One adult bird was guarding the nest box. Another bird (juvenile) was on the antenna of the hospital. The juvenile then flew down where it was invisible. Then I heard a falcon behind the CTV tower.”
Posted on July 4, 2013 1:42 pm
July 04, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 4th - 2013
Hi everyone, after seeing a couple of speedy flights (with screeching) around the buildings I haven’t seen much of our falcons until today. Only Kendall on his favourite corner ledges.
Right now Carina and Luna are on the south west corner of the 220 roof. One of them was resting when the other arrived, who then tried to get her sister up on her feet (almost preening her as well) with some affection beak kisses between them. Cute. Now they’re hanging out together. My binocs aren’t good enough to get the tags. Earlier one flew vertically down from the roof of 240 in an almost dive, to Quest who was on a lower ledge, and they continued to spiral/fly down and then off chasing.
Sally
Posted on July 4, 2013 12:03 pm
June 27, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
There comes a point during fledge watch where the juveniles are doing so well there is very little risk of them coming to the ground and needing assistance. We call this Fun Day. These are the days where we watch the juveniles in their training with the parents as they roll and turn, lock talons and make incredible food transfers in midair. This would describe today’s observations very well. Red and White, who have now caught up in their skills to their little brother blue, were exacting their revenge on little brother, chasing him around the hospital and trying to grab him by the tail as he flew. He screamed and howled that this, not liking it one bit and the parents just sat in the tower watching as their four children trained and played around the territory. The adults ignored little Blue’s woeful cries of unfairness as they knew quite well that he had it coming. Yellow seem to be doing quite well catching up and keeping up to his older siblings. He made several flights in and around the territory and at one point flew with his brother Blue north to the next Hydro tower across Humber College Boulevard. Hurricane wasn’t too pleased with this but he let it pass for now. His kids were growing up and he had to let them explore the extent of their world. He flew over to the nest ledge and entered the nest tray behind the H sign. Chessie flew over and joined him, addressing his empty nest syndrome with a loud and boisterous chup fest. The two enjoyed a moment alone to rebond and share a quiet moment in their nest tray. Even though today was just a quick check-in, I can say from what I’ve observed that this family is well on their way to another successful year.
Posted on July 4, 2013 10:50 am
June 26, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
With all four kids accounted for and doing well last night, I decided to attend the watch at the hospital a little later in the morning. I received a phone call from Ross Bartlett, who works at Environmental Services for the hospital, that last late last night little yellow had come down once again. He fluttered down into the fenced off area of construction materials and became trapped behind the fence. He was found by security who then called our head office to inform us that the bird was down. Unfortunately we are not in the office during fledge season as we are all out at various watches in the field did not receive the call immediately. Security called Toronto animal services for assistance who attended the site and released the bird from behind the fencing. After receiving this report from Ross I immediately attended the site and went looking for all four juveniles. I photographed each bird in turn confirming their tape colors and all four juveniles were on-site, up high and looking well. Both adults were also in attendance sitting in the Hydro tower watching me as I followed their kids around the hospital. All looked well and I settled in to my watch station to complete observations until dusk. Blue, red and white are all flying incredibly well. Blue, being the more experienced of the juveniles, spent the evening harassing his sisters relentlessly. Once these girls get caught up in their flight skills, little blue is going to have two big sisters that are going to want a little bit of payback. Little yellow spent much of his time around the perimeter of the hospital staying high and landing fairly well. Just like all juveniles as they begin to learn, there’s a lot of skewed landings, near misses and fumbles as they experience flights for the first time. It takes practice to gain control like the parents have, but these kids are learning very quickly. I left all four of them this evening sleeping off an enormous pigeon dinner courtesy of mom.
Posted on July 4, 2013 10:20 am
July 01, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 1st - 2013
Hi All,
I stopped by the Duncan Mills nest site late this morning for an hour. I met to send this earlier.
Kendal & Quest were both hanging out on the Thales Building. I only saw them at first. Then a juvenile flew on to the very top of 240 and moved back out of sight.
A few minutes later I observed one juvenile on the Thales building.
I may have missed it on the first scope.
I do not believe this is the same bird that was on 240.
But I never did see all four at once.
It was very quiet while I was there. Neither parents flew. The only bird I saw fly was the juvenile fly onto 240.
Happy Canada Day!
Murray
Sent from my iPhone
Posted on July 4, 2013 9:54 am
July 05, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
After the long weekend the Greenwood Park Animal Hospital was booked solid for appointments and so with Apollo 3 safe and stable, we set up the earliest appointment that we could. When we arrived, Dr. Markus Luckwaldt. avian specialist and experienced raptor expert, was preparing for the exam for our little Apollo 3. The first step was the physical examination to determine the condition of his left wing. After the physical exam it was clear that the wing bones were not broken but that the left elbow was not responding to movement as it should. It was very loose, almost uncontrolled. When the x-rays were ready we went through them checking all of the bones for signs of a fracture. His keel, tripods and long bones were all intact. When we compared the joints of both wings, it was clear that the left elbow was damaged. In the x-ray you could see that the joint had dislocated and was overlapping. Dr. Luckwaldt sent the x-rays off to a collegue at OVC, another raptor specialist, for confirmation of his diagnosis of a dislocated elbow and to discuss the injury. Both vets concurred that Apollo 3 had dislocated the elbow of his left wing, torn all of the connecting ligaments that could not be surgically reconnected ( too small to hold a stitch ) and that he would never regain full control of his wing below the elbow. He would never be able to fly properly. The recommendation was made that Apollo 3 be euthanized as he could never be released as a fully functioning peregrine falcon meant to fly with control and precision at high speeds. We contacted Mark Heaton of the OMNR with the diagnosis and recommendation and on July 5th, the CPF stood by Apollo 3 as he was given a painless and dignified end to his life. I am saddened to have to report this to you as this is an unfortunate loss for the William Osler nest site. Both Bruce and I agreed that his flights with the wing in that condition were uncontrolled and he was bound for an accident much more serious than we cared to imagine. He was unable to gain altitude, control his landings and he was clearly in pain. Decisions such as these are very difficult and never made lightly but are so important. I am grateful that we were able to be there for him, recognize the injury and rescue him. I am also incredibly grateful for the support and care of the Greenwood Park Animal Hospital and the expertise of Dr. Markus Luckwaldt in determining his injury and recommending a course of action based on the best interest of Apollo 3 both now and in the future. With the sad loss of this little man we now turn our attention to the remaining members of the family; Blizzard, Aura and Maverick. These three juveniles are doing very well and continue to have our support as they learn the fine art of peregrine flight. Thank you to Winston, William Osler staff and security, Greenwood Park Animal Hospital and all of you for your support of this family.
Posted on July 4, 2013 9:51 am
July 01, 2013 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 1st - 2013
Happy Canada Day!
I only had a chance to drop in on our family this evening but I got to see a show–and I am not talking about the fireworks (although I did see them as well). I immediately spied our juvies on the ICICI building and Mom on the DeBeers. Within minutes, Lucky was off and after Mom–poor Mom, she had both babies after her tonight! Fun to watch tho!! I managed to catch a picture of both juvies–Lucky is taking off! I had the security approach me–there was a half eaten, bloody pigeon right outside the front door! I supplied him with a bag lol. I have a feeling someone dropped it and didn’t get a proper meal!! I got to see all 4 flying at once–awesome! I stayed and watched AM-E–once the fireworks started she dropped down to the roof. Once it was good and dark, I left–fireworks everywhere!
Cathy
Posted on July 4, 2013 9:45 am
July 03, 2013 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Marion Nash Reports:
Definitely only two peregrine youngsters seen first check on them this morning. One is Ramjet, positive ID by that white tape but I could not get colour of the other tape. At one point I thought red witch is Imagine but not sure at all. I saw quite a bit if activity all centred around food and that should have brought out the third youngster although they are flying farther apart now. Saw both Haven and Stormin.
The second time I went out Ramjet was eating a big bird and the adults and his sister were watching. Ramjet picked up the food parcel, crossed Yonge and went down the west side of 2180 Yonge with his sister in full chase.
The next I saw of them was about two minutes later when they were both back on the CIBC building without the food parcel. It looked heavy for Ramjet and he must have dropped it somewhere south of 2180.
Later Haven flew in with a pigeon and landed on the north west corner of CIBC where she began plucking it. Ramjet by this time was on the railing of the balcony on Canada Square north east corner. He was watching Haven very carefully and eventually flew directly at her and shouldered his way onto the pigeon. Haven was upset, moved away from him then flew off and came back and buzzed him on her way to the western side of Canada Square. She eventually took his position on the railing and watched him.
He picked up the pigeon flew around the CIBC building, avoided Stormin who flew over the CIBC. The next thing I saw was Ramjet and food parcel over the black building, 2190 Yonge, where he was being *forced down* by his sister. He made a *crash landing* on the roof but managed to hang onto his food. He plucked furiously and then ate, in spite of his sister sitting right next to him. He was a really well fed little peregrine by the time he finished.
Lyn
Posted on July 4, 2013 9:43 am
