March 09, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Bruce Massey Reports:
Yesterday I was joined by Tracy Simpson at the 220 Duncan Mill Road nest site as Quest and Kendal were both on site and their behaviour was a little odd. In the morning when I first arrived, Kendal was shadowing Quest wherever she went and was almost harassing her. By the afternoon when Tracy arrived, the tables had turned and it was Quest that was now instigating the chases. While the activity was all on friendly terms, it was clear that Kendal had pushed his luck with Quest and she was now annoyed with him. Twice he flew in to mate with her as she sat on the Harlequin building calling him and twice he seemed to abort at the last minute. Finally she’d had enough of his half hearted attempts and chased him off of every perch he landed on. It was clear that she wanted him to focus and he was more interested in attending to the nest bowl than her. She set him straight by the late afternoon and the pair settled in at the nest site. All photos courtesy of Tracy Simpson.
Posted on March 10, 2013 9:00 am
March 03, 2013 - Stoney Creek
Tracy Simpson Reports:
A delayed post but important nonetheless, I stopped by Stoney Creek to check on Craig and Athena a week ago and was pleased to find both on site. I initially located Craig in the tower which was a challenge as he blended so well with the structure. He was roosting the afternoon away and at first glance, no sign of Athena. I was about to leave the site when I glanced down the road at Taylor Steel and found Athena roosting on an air vent above the shipping door. The door opened a few times while she was there and trucks exited which garnered her attention. Otherwise she was quite happy roosting there. I couldn’t help but notice how much she looks like her mother, O’Connor from the Etobicoke Sun Life site, as she clearly claimed the vent she roosted on as hers. She flew off of the vent after 20 minutes to the roof of Taylor Steel where she landed briefly before heading over to the tower to join Craig. Last year, the pair were unsuccessful in hatching eggs and we will watch the progress of this pair this season to see where they choose to nest and whether they succeed.
Posted on March 10, 2013 8:20 am
March 09, 2013 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Volunteer Reports:
This morning both Rhea Mae and Tiago were at the nest ledge and inspecting the tray for readiness. With the sun shining and the weather fine, it was a great day for sunning!!
Posted on March 9, 2013 11:33 am
March 09, 2013 - Toronto - King Street
CPF Volunteer Reports:
Both Erin and Windwhistler were on the webcam this morning in the scrape and on the ledge. This will be their 11th season together and both turn 15 years old this year!! Good to see them getting into the swing of spring.
Posted on March 9, 2013 11:25 am
March 09, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
Bruce Massey Reports:
When I arrived Quest was on the south side of the Harlequin building and Kendal was on the top of 240 Duncan Mill Road sunning themselves. All of a sudden Kendal began to alarm call and a large bird flew through to the north that looked like a heron. Neither bird moved as the bird flew to the north and disappeared. A minute later both adults began to alarm call and a brave little American kestrel took a run at Quest!! Kendal took off towards his mate as this was all happening and then Quest was also in the air. Both adults took off after the kestrel and there was an aerial exchange of swoops and words with the wee interloper. The kestrel took off to the west and both adults returned to their roosts. A few minutes later, Kendal flew over and was about to breed with Quest but veered off at the last minute. Spring is in the air for sure and nesting is very much on their mind. Kendal returned to his perch and remained for only a few minutes before the pair took off in a courtship flight together. Excellent to see the pair renewing their bonds!!
Posted on March 9, 2013 11:12 am
March 09, 2013 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Bruce Massey Reports:
I arrived on site to find both Linn and Rueben were at the nest building. One of the adults was roosting on the nest ledge and the other adult was on the southwest corner sunning. Good to see them both on site.
Posted on March 9, 2013 11:05 am
March 09, 2013 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
It’s been a strange week, likely due to the minus 16 wind chill we had and that seemed to slow down our resident pair. I did see them flying together in the rain and snow one day but mostly it’s just been O’Connor I’ve been seeing on her own. I see Jack the odd time but not as much as the last week of February when courtship seemed in high gear.
Could be the weather or could be something is keeping him busy at his other site. It’s migration time and time for falcons to be scouting for a nest nite so no doubt he’ll be kept busy! The weather is warming up now so we’ll see what next week brings.
Posted on March 9, 2013 8:15 am
February 25, 2013 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Just observed another mating on the centre tower corner when I was out for a quick check. Jack returned to the nest box chupping while O’connor stayed on the centre tower.
Posted on February 25, 2013 10:45 am
February 23, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
This pair has been a conundrum to follow as they really have struggled to decide which side of the highway they intend to nest on. Will it be the William Osler Hospital site or the Hilton Garden Inn. While Chessie will have the final say in this argument, Casper continues to try and convince her that his site at Viscount Road is the best. Today the pair were at the William Osler Hospital and it looks like Chessie’s wish to remain here is becoming clear to young Casper. I pulled in and located Casper on the southeast corner of the nest ledge whining. Chessie was obviously in his view but I could not readily see her yet. I checked in with security and then made my way back outside to find that Casper had moved along the ledge and was now just to the left of the nest tray. He sat vocalizing for a few minutes and then was off like a shot towards the tower. He came within inches of mating with Chessie, who I could now see hiding amongst the grid work, but turned away at the last second. Back to the nest ledge he went and this time headed straight for the nest tray. In behind the eastern “H” I could hear Casper chupping loudly but Chessie was not to be moved. She was sitting in a patch of sun and preening away. Casper came out of the nest tray onto the ledge and looked at her as if to say, “Well… …come see what I’ve built you!!”. He has been definately working on the scrape in the tray and was eager to show her his hard work. Still, she was not to be moved. It was a good 30 minutes before she took off from the tower and was now doing tandem flights above my head with Casper that were so awe inspiring I totally forgot about my camera!! The pair took off to the north together and were now gone from my sight. It looks as though the pair are closer to making that all important choice on nest location and it would appear that the William Osler site is where they will stay.
Posted on February 24, 2013 2:39 pm
February 23, 2013 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I stopped by the Mississauga Executive Centre nest site yesterday to check in on Sante and Cass. When I arrived, not a bird in sight. I drove around to the back of MEC 3 and found the two of them under the Dejardins sign discussing spring nesting. Before I could stop the car, the two were in the air like a shot; Sante landing on the nest box platform and chupping his wee heart out while Cass flew around to the north side of the nest building. Both maintained there positions for the next hour when suddenly Sante took flight over to MEC 2. He was looking for his girl!! He stayed on MEC 2 and preened the afternoon away sporting another “all to famous” enormous crop that looked like it could tip him over at any moment. Cass stayed put on the north side of the nest building until something caught her eye and she was off on a hunt to the north. Sante was quick to follow and the pair disappeared from sight. Spring is in the air for this pair as well!! On my way north on Hurontario, I could see Cass and Sante in tandem flight. I pulled over just north of the 403 as I spotted a little Sharp Shinned hawk on a light standard having a YIKES moment. Cass and Sante flew low over this little one and the SSH froze in position. The hawk was sure happy when the pair continued to the northwest and out of sight!!
Posted on February 24, 2013 2:21 pm
