Canadian Peregrine Foundation

Peter Back at Hearn

March 19, 2013 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Bruce and I decided that on a nice sunny day it would be a great opportunity to head down to the Hearn Generating Station for a site check on Peter and his unbanded lady.  When we arrived, there were no peregrines to be seen and all was quiet.  We waited for a while and still nothing was happening.  Just as we were about to head further down the road to investigate, in bombs Peter from the south and he whipped through the nest area  before landing on one of the south ledges in the sun.  He sat there for some time vocalizing here and there before taking off around the east end of the plant and disappearing from our view.  We then decided to drive around to the Commissioners side and although we couldn’t see Peter or his mate, the male could clearly be heard as his eechupping echoed throughout the back of the plant.  We headed back around to the south side of the plant for one last check but Peter was nowhere to be seen.  It was great to see that he is still on site and we look forward to watching him and his new mate this nesting season.

Canada Square Getting Serious About the Season

March 19, 2013 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Bruce Massey Reports:

I stopped in at the Canada Square nest site on Saturday for a site check on Stormin and Haven as we are getting closer to the nesting season.  At first I was able to locate Stormin on the south upper ledge of the Rio Can building but Haven was not to be seen.  I did a walk about and found Haven on the south side of the TVO building and she was very active, flying off and then returning to the same corner.  I repositioned myself back over at Duplex and Eglinton and sat down waiting for some action.  I was not disappointed.  Haven came flying in and landed on the south face of the Rio Can a few floors directly below Stormin.  The male kept looking down at her and watching her body language as she sat roosting.  Believing her to be receptive, Stormin took off of the roof ledge and flew down to mate with Haven.  Success!!  He then returned to the Rio Can roof and they both preened for a while.  Haven then took off like a bullet to the south with Stormin hot on her tail and the pair of them were chasing something quite vigorously.  All I can say is that there is a Kestrel out there that won’t be hanging around THEIR nest anymore!!  Haven returned to the Rio Can to roost and Stormin positioned himself on the upright above the old nest ledge.  It was great to see the pair in action and that spring is most definately on track here.

Brampton… …oh Brampton!

March 19, 2013 - Brampton - Courthouse

CPF Postmaster Reports:

The CPF volunteer nest site monitor team was out on Saturday doing nest site checks and decided to cruise the Brampton corridor and look in on the happenings.  Excellent reports and photos have been coming in from Toivo and Winston, our local watch team members, and it looks like things are as confusing as ever!!  Both Winston and Toivo have been seeing peregrines at both the Brampton Courthouse and the George St. condo!  During March break at the courthouse, there appeared an unbanded male and an unbanded sub adult female that investigated the area.  Milton and Midnight were both focussed on the downtown core at this time.  Then the unbanded adult male took off and was replaced by Milton who was vocalizing with the sub adult female.  By Friday, Tracy found and positively identified both Milton and Midnight in downtown and there were no peregrines present at the time at the courthouse.  On Saturday, Bruce Massey was out in Brampton for the day and positively IDed Milton at the courthouse alone without a female and Bruce later watched him take off north.  He drove to the downtown core of Brampton and found him at first on John St., then on George St and later flying over to the BDC building and the Rose Theatre.  During this entire watch period that Bruce spent there was no sign of Midnight but he believes that Milton could see her wherever she was roosting. 

Theories…  …there are many.  It would appear that migrant peregrines are making their way through and checking out potential nest sites.  The Hwy.10 corridor has always been just that, a peregrine highway that they jet through on their way to nesting.  We are unsure who will stay and maintain a territory but it would seem that Milton and Midnight prefer the downtown area and yet Milton is still trying to hold onto the courthouse territory as well.  Will he succeed?  Will Milton run two nests at the same time?  We will continue to watch and update you with the latest news from Brampton as everyone begins to settle in for the nesting season.  A big thank you to CPF volunteers Toivo and Winston for your observations and photos!!  Pictures to come!

Incubation???

March 17, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Twice today we were at the Lift Bridge and it would appear that Mom is in incubation mode.  She was laying down in the back corner she uses when incubating.  Dad was sitting beneath her on the old nest ledge.   This is the first time we have witnessed this, this year.

Both at the Ledge

- Toronto - King Street

Linda Woods Reports:

Both King St peregrines are seen on the ledge. Erin is lying down behind the pillar at 2:50 p.m. This is the second time I have seen her do this. We are getting close.

Mackenzie Enjoys His Pigeon

March 10, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

On March 8 and March 10, we spent a few hours at the Lift Bridge.  Yesterday, Dad plucked a pigeon out of the air and as we watched he flew by Mom showing off screaming the whole time.  He circled the Hamilton Tower and finally managed to gain enough altitude to land on the roof of the tower where he prepared his meal.  Pretty amazing to watch for such a little guy.  Mom was sitting in the Hamilton Hydro Tower, paying very little attention to him.  After having his fill, he took to the air once again, circling and screaming and then finally deposited the remains under the Skyway Bridge for a snack later.  We have been able to confirm both band numbers.  Mom is still Cirrus, Black K/Green 83 and Dad is Mackenzie Black 29/Y.

Linn at Home at Yellow Pages

March 10, 2013 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages

CPF Postmaster Reports:

Yesterdays warm weather had all of the peregrine pairs very active at their respective nest sites and Yellow Pages was no exception.  At first there wasn’t a bird to be seen and at te end of the observation period just as the spot check was winding down, in flies Linn to the Wynn Fitness building rooftop.  She scoured the sign on the south side looking for a snack but came up empty.  She then flew over to the Investors Group building and found a pigeon stash on the south sign.  Back over to the Wynn Fitness building for a snack she went.  After completing her meal, she flew up to the centre of the roof insisting on taking her prey remains with her.  It was there that she decided to roost in the late day sun.  Rueben was absent from the site today but it was clear that Linn could see him from her current location as she kept looking west and flipping her head in invitation.  We look forward to more from this pair as spring takes over.  Photos courtesy of Tracy Simpson.

HUGE NEWS!! NEW MALE TAKES OVER ICICI NEST SITE!!

March 10, 2013 - International, National and Local News

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Bruce Massey and I were out this weekend checking out a few nest sites and decided to stop by on Saturday at ICICI at Don Mills and Eglinton.  Both male and female were on site and were quite active.  I managed to get several pictures of both adults and when I got home and looked at them, I was able to confirm that the female was unbanded which is consistent with last year but the male appeared to be banded.  Upon closer inspection of the photos, I could see that this male had a solid black Ontario recovery band and a silver USFW band.  Unfortunately I could not clearly read the alpha numeric reference on his band that would identify him.

Today Bruce and I returned with one mission in mind; identify the male that had taken over this site.  Bruce was quick with the scope and confirmed that the new resident male was wearing a solid black band bearing the identification 95 over Y.  We both knew this band…  …IT’S CHESTER!!  Chester was hatched in 2011 at the Canada Square nest site to Haven and Irving and was seen last spring briefly courting Quest at Duncan Mill Road.  Here he was looking very adult and behaving as the master of this territory!  Shortly after identification, he flew up to the nest ledge and joined the unbanded female, disappearing into the ledge.  He flew out of the ledge a few minutes later over to the DeBeers buidling landing on the “S”.  There he stayed until his mate emerged from the ledge and flew up to the top of ICICI and perched on the northeast corner calling to him.  It didn’t take long before Chester flew over and mated with her confirming for both Bruce and I that he was in control of this nest site.

We are unsure when this change in adult males occurred but we can say for certain that Chester is now the resident male.  We look forward to the coming nesting season with much anticipation.  More pictures to follow.

Nobody Home

March 10, 2013 - Stoney Creek

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Bill and I spent a couple of hours, both yesterday and today,  at the Stoney Creek nest site.  Unfortunately, we couldn’t find either Athena or Craig.

Chessie and Casper Have Made a Choice

March 09, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

I stopped in several times over the past few days to check in on Chessie and Casper and see if they have decided on where they intend to nest this year.  Both adults were present at the William Osler Hospital and I was treated to some aerial courtship displays and vocal exchanges.  Late in the afternoon on Friday, Casper took off on a hunt and returned to the nest ledge with food for Chessie which she gladly took.  He then entered the nest tray and began to enlarge the scrape while she ate her prize on the northern “H” sign.  On Saturday, the pair were again in fine form as the courtship displays continued and the eastern nest ledge was amply explored by both adults with Chessie finally settling in on the edge of the nest tray for a nap.  It would appear that the pair have chosen the hospital as their site of choice leaving the Viscount Road territory now void.  Glad to see that they have settled and focussed their attention.  Photos to be posted soon.