April 16, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Bruce and I were out last weekend to check in on Hurricane and Chessie after the juvenile female made its appearance last week. We wanted to make sure that all was on track and had stabilized and we found the pair doing just fine. As I arrived, Chessie was on the northeast corner of the nest ledge taking a break and Hurricane could not be seen but rather heard. He also was watching Chessie as he was lying in the tray incubating. Hurricane truly prefers the role of “sky defender” and “food master” to babysitter but will do whatever he is required of him by his lady to hatch those eggs. Chessie flew off of the corner and around the eastern “H” which Hurricane could not resist. Out he came to see her and the two sat on the sign for a few minutes together. Chessie wasn’t long in heading back into the nest tray to resume incubating. Hurricane remained on the “H” looking for scraps for a few minutes and then was off to the southeast corner of the nest ledge. He sat there for quite some time and then was off to the west on a hunt. Rob and Angie, two of our awesome west end volunteers, also popped by on the weekend and found the pair in fine form. We look forward to seeing Hurricane and Chessie raising these youngsters this summer.
Posted on April 17, 2013 7:45 am
April 16, 2013 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Tracy Simpson Reports:
With this year’s egg production underway, I promised pictures of the dynamic duo. Here are just a few to get you started!! Soggy Rueben Sandwich and Big Linn Extreme Yoga!
Posted on April 17, 2013 7:31 am
April 14, 2013 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Jan Chudy Reports:
Posted on April 14, 2013 10:42 am
April 13, 2013 - International, National and Local News
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I wanted to share this picture that was posted a few days ago of a female incubating eggs in Minneapolis / St. Paul as the image is quite unbelievable. We have all been watchful of our southern Ontario peregrine pairs throughout this ( hopefully ) last blast of winter like weather. In Ontario, it brought us wet slush, lots of rain, ice pellets and 1 cm thick freezing rain. We weren’t the only ones to be saturated by this storm front and there are some awesome and committed adults out there doing their best. Myself, Mark, Kathy, Bruce, Marion and many other CPF site monitors have been out checking up on our pairs and all is progessing very well. This shot was taken through an office window in the midwest. Check out this female!!
Posted on April 13, 2013 12:17 pm
April 13, 2013 - Niagara Falls
CPF Volunteer Reports:
First we must say a huge thank you to Roger and Vicki for their efforts to update us all on the progress of the Niagara Gorge pair. It would seem that Diamond and Onyx are still very much a presence in the gorge and when we looked at the shots that Vicki was able to get through the mist and fog, it would appear that there is an adult peregrine lying down in the nest cavity. While this can’t be 100% confirmed as of yet, Vicki and Roger have plans to return to Terrapin point for another recon session soon. We have posted the picture with the potential image of an adult incubating and we look forward to hearing more about the progress in Niagara!!
Posted on April 13, 2013 12:04 pm
April 13, 2013 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station
Bruce Massey Reports:
I stopped in this morning at the Hearn Generating Station for a site check on Peter and his female after a week of very wet, cold weather. Last week, the female was lying down on the roof of the main building and was definately incubating one or more eggs. It would seem that this week she has abandoned that spot and has taken Peter’s suggestion. Today she was lying down inside the old nest cavity and looking much happier and drier. While we can’t confirm how many eggs were left on the rooftop, we can say that she is on track with more and in a much better spot.
Posted on April 13, 2013 11:54 am
April 12, 2013 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Marion Nash Reports:
I stopped in at Yellow Pages earlier this week and tried to find Linn and Rueben’s nest location this year. Kathy and I checked all of the ledges and although we found scrapes everywhere, there was no sign of the elusive incubating adult. Yesterday, we stopped by again for a check and found Rueben on duty definately incubating an undisclosed number of eggs. He was one wet little male but never gave up his post. Great job Rueben. I have posted an image of where the pair are incubating this year rather than try and describe the location as the building has a different configuration that is hard to describe. If I were to try and describe it, it is on the north side of the building, facing Milner Ave., on the northeast corner on the west “shoulder”. See what I mean!! Hopefully the map will help to clarify things.
Check back very soon as pictures are to follow!!
Posted on April 13, 2013 11:51 am
April 13, 2013 - Mississauga - Holcim
Marion Nash Reports:
A huge thank you to Barb and Armando at Holcim Cement for sending us an update on their peregrines. Armando was able to get a look at the nest site the other day and confirm incubation by the pair. This is exciting news and we look forward to another great year at the Holcim site. The CPF will be celebrating Earth Day with Holcim at their plant event and we will have further updates and news on Caspian and Storm’s progress!! Thanks again to Barb and Armando!
Posted on April 13, 2013 10:40 am
April 13, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
With the unexpected return of Hurricane to the William Osler site and the disappearance of Casper, I made it a point to get out to check on things at William Osler as often as I was able to this week. The week began with better weather and Hurricane was busy re-establishing his territory. If there is such a thing as a “happy” falcon, he was it. He visited all of his old perches and made a point of landing and giving a few chup-chups on each one. He was all over the place! ”The “H”, that’s mine. The tower, mine too. Tree by the entrance… …well Mr. Crow, that would be mine.” This went on for a good 20 minutes as he went from perch to perch and claimed them all. Chessie napped in the tray through this whole routine and didn’t really care so long as he brought home dinner by 4. Sure enough, by 4:03pm, he was home with prey for her and he exchanged this gift with her on the eastern “H”. Hurricane returned to the nest tray and sat on the edge staring at the eggs while Chessie ate. No more than 10 minutes later, he was up on the sign with her checking to see if she ate it all. Chessie flew one quick circuit around the building before returning to the tray and Hurricane ran down the length of the sign to look for leftovers.
On Tuesday, Hurricane was on the north “H” sign and preening the day away. I didn’t remain long as the rain was now moving in and Hurricane was quite happy to fall asleep in the light showers that were falling. As the rain became more intense, Hurricane, with eyes fully closed, began to whine about the weather and eventually he woke up and moved to cover. The entire time Chessie remained in the tray and did not get off the eggs.
By Thursday the cold, wet weather had moved in and most pairs were now staying pretty close to cover. I decided on a quick check and could not see a single bird on site when I arrived. I wasn’t there for more than a few minutes when Chessie began to call. Just then, a falcon came racing up the south side of the building and another up the north side. This brought Chessie out of the nest tray alarm calling. Yes indeed, I now have three falcons above my head and its pandemonium! Chessie flew to the tower and landed. Hurricane was immediately at her side and the two were vocalizing. The third bird was definately a female and she was circling low above the parking lot but what was missing here was the ferocious defense of the nest site. Chessie left the tower and met the female in the air and there were two rather sedate attempts at contact and then Hurricane entered the mix. Chessie flew back to the tower while Hurricane chased the female along the north side of the building and escorted her off of the property. Chessie immediately flew back into the tray and was down on the eggs right away. Hurricane returned and remained on edge but calm as he took up position on the west ledge of the building. All the while I was taking pictures and the shot I was able to get of the two females about to make contact… …it looked as if Chessie didn’t have any bands!! The other female was definately in juvenile plumage and I could not see any bands on her either. While I was sure that it was just the angle of the shot and feeathers in the way I needed to confirm this for my own peace of mind.
Yesterday I was back out to visit the pair and I found the female on the west ledge of the building. A few photographs later and it was definately without a doubt Chessie. She took a run at a few crows and then disappeared around to the east side and out of my view. I went back around and could not see her or Hurricane and I may have missed an exchange in the tray of incubation duties.
You need not doubt that I will be back as often as I can to watch the progress of the pair. I want make sure that all is on track and we are up to date on who is “on the dance card” as this territory has yet to settle down.
Posted on April 13, 2013 10:34 am
April 13, 2013 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
At the time of my last report, our resident female was on 2 eggs. With the cold snap, she was on them as if in full incubation mode. Last week within the period of 3 days, she was observed eating the shells of both eggs. She has not been back in the box since then (at least not for any length of time). The male is the same one we have had for the last few years, Buffalo Bill. We think the female is also the resident as she is unbanded. It’s not too early for a 2nd clutch as she produced one last year. We’ll hope for the best.
Posted on April 13, 2013 10:23 am
