November 05, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Round number four on our list was the Brampton Courthouse to check in on Truss and Milton. Last time I had dropped in here I was treated to a sighting of both adults roosting on the east side of the building, but today I was to be skunked. Frank and I checked all sides of the courthouse and found nothing but a bunch of very relaxed pigeons. We headed north into Brampton and as we reached the train station just north of Queen Street, we found a flock of pigeons wheeling around and so we stopped to look for the cause. We were unable to get a sighting of either adult but we could certainly see why they would come up this way hunting. As we drove north on Hwy. 10, each ornate lamppost that lined the older streets of Brampton were decorated with 20 or more pigeons each, just sitting on the arc of the lamppost in the sun. We made one last check of the courthouse on our way to the Raptor Centre but it would appear that Truss and Milton had other plans this afternoon other than relaxing at home. I will continue to make the west end rounds throughout the winter and will have more updates for you so keep checking back!!
Posted on November 6, 2011 9:34 am
November 05, 2011 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
During our west end nest site rounds, Frank and I popped in to see O’Connor and Hurricane at the William Osler Hospital today. We searched all four sides of the building and their favourite hydro tower but were not to be seen today. It was a great day to be out hunting and I am sure that the two adults were taking advantage of the fine weather. Both Hurricane and O’Connor are being sighted at the hospital off and on throughout most weeks and usually spend a couple of full days on site reaffirming their commitment to one another. I wil be keeping an eye out for the two of them throughout the peregrine “off season” as last year I was treated to Hurricane hunting right behind our Raptor Education Centre in the open field and at the storm water pond at Rutherford and Weston Rds. Frank and I will continue to drop in on them so check back soon for more updates!!
Posted on November 6, 2011 9:22 am
November 05, 2011 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
During our rounds today, Frank and I also stopped in at MEC. After searching all four buildings, we found Infinity sitting one section over from the nest box enjoying the afternoon. There was no sign of her mate while we were there but it would seem from our time at this site that he is usually off hunting in the late afternoons and at times even bringing home some leftovers for her. It really is different behaviours we see in the adults when juveniles are not present, they don’t have nesting on their mind and territorial defense is not at the same critical level. It’s almost as if the true “personality” of each individual adult can shine through. Infinity looked so at ease as she sat overlooking her domain. It was very nice to see.
Posted on November 6, 2011 8:58 am
November 05, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Frank and I stopped in at the Sun Life Centre today and found Angel perched on the nest tray and Jack roosting directly above her on the retaining roof. Both adults looked as though they were thoroughly enjoying the late afternoon sun as they each had their chin feathers flared out as far as they would go!! Moments after we arrived, both birds left their perches and within 10 minutes Angel had returned to take up Jack’s position on the retaining wall. Before we left, Angel had moved to her favorite perch, the top of the web camera, and we were able to snap a few photos, enjoy!!
Posted on November 5, 2011 11:11 pm
October 28, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Frank and I arrived at the Sun Life building at approximately 3:00pm today to find Angel sitting on the nest building enjoying the full sun of the afternoon. She was roosting on the southern most corner, taking her time preening her feathers and digesting the rather large crop that was visible. We looked for Jack but there was no sign of him in the area. Kathy joined us shortly after we arrived and shared her wonderful observations from yesterday of Jack and Angel in some amazing flights together. This time of year it is so nice to see the adults, without kids in tow, enjoying the spring like feeling in the air and reconfirming their commitment to each other.
Posted on October 28, 2011 9:08 pm
October 27, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Seems something is in the air here these days too. Today I went out for a break and heard two birds making happy sounds, they sounded like the juvenile falcons when they play so I looked up and to my surprise it was our resident pair. They were playing tag and doing some cool flying maneuvers together.
At one point, it was almost as if they were one bird as they covered each other and flew around together doing loops..it was very cool to watch. They were making sounds I can’t really describe, it wasn’t the usual echupping sequences I hear between them..it sounded almost like happy chirpping…silly birds 
Posted on October 27, 2011 5:02 pm
October 26, 2011 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
A big thank you to Margaret who has been watching the activities of Q & K very closely for us over the past week. For a third straight day this week, (Monday, Tuesday and today,, Wednesday), both Quest and Kendal have been very active both on the nest ledge, but also inside the nest box itself!!
Many photos and observations have been streaming in over the past three days to let us know that it is very obvious that the pair approve of their net nest box. A huge thank you to Donna Hayes for her personal support in helping us with the funding to do the nest box modifications and to get the get nest box up to the nest ledge.
It would almost appear that Kendal is trying to convince Quest that “he made the nest box himself” - “just for her”!! Funny boy!!
A big thank you to the management staff and security’s support at 220 Duncan Mill Rd. in allowing us permissions and access to get the new nest box in, and a HUGE thank-you to Solar Window washing management and staff for their support in getting the old nest tray out, and the new nest box in on a weekend!!
We also want to thank the great folks at the Genesee Valley Audubon Society for their donation of the nest box itself!! An interesting history behind this nest box, as it was originally made by them - for the CPF - way back in 2002 in memory of Pounce-Kingsley and Victoria from the Toronto downtown 18 King street nest site, and sent to the CPF.
Sadly, despite our best efforts to get the nest box installed in many different locations over the years, it sat in our inventory awaiting an ideal home. With some modifications to conform to the height and depth of the Don Mills nest ledge, and some appropriate coloured stain to blend into the building colour,,, it was and is perfect!!!
As with any nest site modification, the final celebrations are always left until the peregrines give us their sign of approval. Well, we can now officially celebrate, as it would appear that Quest and Kendal approve of their new digs indeed!! For the past three days, they have been hard pressed to get out of it!! As I type this observation report, I am watching the live video image and can still one of the peregrines roosting on the upper concrete stub to the right of the nest ledge / nest box,, keeping a very close eye on the new nest box.
A final comment. In addition to the new nest box obvious benefits, it also allows the office occupants behind the nest ledge to open up their blinds and let the sun light in, knowing that they will not be disturbing or causing the peregrines any stress during the egg laying, incubating and brooding period nest season. The new nest box has walls and a roof that will allow Quest and Kendal a stress free “go-round” while egg laying, egg incubation and early brooding of their young from human disturbances during these critical periods.
A big thank you to the great office staff and owners that kept their blinds closed / down this past season that allowed Quest and Kendal’s sucesses.
Posted on October 26, 2011 4:31 pm
October 25, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
We had a very nice visit this afternoon with Rhea Mae and Tiago. They were on the ledge for quite a while with a bit of close bonding!
Nice to see!!
Regards-Eileen
Posted on October 26, 2011 3:28 pm
October 24, 2011 - Toronto - Don Mills
Frank Butson Reports:
Thanks to the camera at Harelquin Enterprises,we caught both Quest and Kendal at,in and around their new nestbox. This is very significant,as this is the first time this has been observed. This should ensure that Quest and Kendal stay at the site and enjoy the benefits of their new digs.
Posted on October 24, 2011 5:28 pm
October 17, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I was in Brampton on Monday of this week delivering our Project School Visit and took my lunch at the Brampton Courthouse to look for one of our newest families. I was pleased to find both Truss and Milton on the east side of the courthouse staying out of the blustery winds that we have been experiencing over the past few days. Although there was no sign of Courtney, that is to be expected as juveniles are now moving through to the south as reported to me by Frank and Ann from their hawk watch site. Both adults were perched and preening the entire time I was there; Truss on the railing by the access door to the ledge and Milton on the northern corner of the same ledge. I look forward to seeing more of these two as I continue to visit Brampton this week.
Posted on October 19, 2011 12:23 am
