July 24, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I have spent some time over the last few days at the Brampton Court House helping out with the Fledge Watch. We thought you might be interested to see a current photo of Truss and her baby Courtney. She is a troubled child. Two rescues in 3 days and one from the top of an unmarked police cruiser in the parking lot of the Police Station on the West side of Hurontario Street. It never gets easy. Today, Truss is a beauty. What a thrill to see one of our Burlington Lift Bridge girls go on to raise a family of her own.
Posted on July 25, 2011 6:36 pm
July 24, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Bill and I have spent some time over the last few days at the Brampton Courthouse helping out with the Fledge Watch. We thought you might be interested to see a photo of Truss as a baby when she was rescued on her first flight at the Burlington Lift Bridge on June 18, 2009. Then look at her today! Isn’t she beautiful? What a thrill to see one of our Burlington Lift Bridge girls go on to raise a family of her own.
Posted on July 25, 2011 6:33 pm
July 25, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Monday July 25th - 2011 - 11AM
We have only just received some bad news from Toronto Wildlife this morning regarding little Kate from the Toronto Sheraton nest site. In a telephone call this received this morning, we are told that Kate passed away early Saturday morning in her sleep.
While the results of the blood work that was done for blood parasites came back negative and the serious of chest x-rays didn’t show any real clear evidence of Aspergillosis,, Aspergillosis is highly suspect given her condition. She was very much underweight and simply had no energy or fire as we say. The young birds are especially vulnerable as they have yet to develop strong immune systems to fight off all of the usual nasty ailments they are exposed to while they are still growing and developing.
To explain Aspergillus in short:
Aspergillosis is a respiratory disease of birds caused by the fungus Aspergillus, which is found almost everywhere in the environment.
A. fumigatus is the most common species of the fungus to cause disease, although A. flavus, A. niger, and others can also cause problems. Aspergillus grows readily in warm and moist environments. The microscopic spores of the fungus become airborne, poor ventilation, poor sanitation, dusty conditions, and close confinement increase the chance the spores will be inhaled.
Usually, the fungus does not cause disease, however, if a bird does not have a healthy immune system, it can cause illness. Predisposing factors include other illnesses, stress, poor nutrition, poor husbandry or unsanitary conditions, another injury to the respiratory system (e.g.; airborne pollutants).
The combination of the number of spores in the environment and the presence of predisposing factors determine which birds are most at risk of disease.
Aspergillus is everywhere; it grows on everywhere, including on living tissue. Every speck of dust and dirt has spores of at least one species of Aspergillus. A bird does not usually succumb to the disease when it has a strong immune system. Over time it has built up antibodies strong enough to wage a proper war against the spores. But, a weakened immune system or ingestion of a huge amount of spores is what causes this disease. Every animal with lungs breathes in thousands of Aspergillus spores every day.
The spores cannot grow in the lungs of a healthy body, but a diseased lung can easily become a host. Aspergillosis can consume a bird with a weakened immune system. Poor nutrition, another illness, anxiety, loneliness, old age, unsanitary conditions or disturbed soil can also bring on this illness. A constant and gradual exposure can create a chronic (long term) infection and the causes are all too commonly found in places you would never expect.
Given the hot dry conditions we’re been having, this is an ideal environment for the airborne spores to spread around in the dry air.
We are truly saddened to receive this news this morning, and it’s very nice to see that little Cinnamon (another one of the Toronto Sheraton juveniles that we believed might not have made it given his small size and underdevelopment) that he is going strong today!!
Posted on July 25, 2011 1:19 pm
July 25, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 25th - 2011
A huge thank you to Donna from Rochester NY who was monitoring the Toronto Sheraton web camera this morning and cought some interesting activity.
Donna writes: Watching the cam this am - July 25th, and I found these two young Scavengers playing on the nest ledge 
. So nice to see them back at the nest and doing so well.
Donna
At the same time, Eileen from New York State e-mails and writes:
Good morning!
An extra special treat this morning…2 juvies on the ledge! Again, captured by Donna. So, the big question is… Was Kate released from care? Or was it Sunshine and Cinnamon? Only CPF knows for sure!
Whoever it was, they look beautiful!
All the best-Eileen
Donna
Posted on July 25, 2011 1:10 pm
July 25, 2011 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Saturday, Dennis and I were down by the Bridge for quite awhile in the extreme heat, we saw Freddie resting on the beam while Voltaire was cleaning the nest tray and doing a lot of preening. No sign of Spitfire.
This morning we got to the Bridge at 6:20 A.M. just in time to see Spitfire fly in with a full crop and land on the West side of the Abudment, ten minutes later he flew off again to the West. At 6:45 A.M. he flew up to the cable between the “B” and “R” of Bridge then as we were leaving at 6:50 he flew back onto the Abudment again. Spitfire is flying and landing with confidence, what a relief.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators CPF
Posted on July 25, 2011 8:25 am
July 24, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 24, 2011
Good afternoon
Rhea Mae has spent quite a bit of time today on the nest ledge. And we had a special treat…Tiago stopped by as well for a moment of bonding! Credit for the capture of Rhea Mae & Tiago goes to Donna-another of the Rochester gang!
Regards-Eileen
Posted on July 25, 2011 3:26 am
July 24, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 24th - 2011 PM Close
By 9:30pm, Courtney had taken her second flight of the day, ending up on a ledge on the norht west side of the courthouse almost level to that of her nest ledge! A decent flight around the courthouse for the south east ledge, (and with a little nudge from her mother during the flight, she was steered around from crossing Hurontario Street, and made it back to the nest building.
Having been fed three times throughout the day and evening, Courtney’s excitement had finally worn off and she settled down for the evening.
July 24th - 2011 AM Watch report
0545- Upon arriving on site, I immediately went on Walk about, given the long and very detailed update I received from the Evening Crew the night before. After an enjoyable walk around the building, seeing an Adult on a South East Antenna and an enjoyable walk on the West side of Hurontario (Seeing the stashed pigeon on the Northwest balcony level) and the Adult (Female) that came in to prepare it. As I finally got back to the Parking Lot and saw Courtney revving up on the South East Corner ledge @ the same height as her release level.
0605-Courtney flew North along the ledge, tried to make it to the roof above (The parents favourite) she didn’t quite make it (Did hear the audible Impact) and then tried to make the roof on the East/West wing & missed that And came down on The original release ledge.
0615-Mom into South East corner of ledge, but made no attempt to feed her.
0630-Courtney sleeping
0835-Courtney up and preening.
0930-Courtney active, under Moms Eye.
0945-Courtney settled down, Mom on Watch, Dad not visible.
1040- Courtney occasionally vocalizing. No sign of Mom or Dad.
1050-Dad into Ledge w/Courtney and started to Feed on Food Scrap @ Corner. Dad busted by Mom and he flew to East facing roof and ended up on South facing roof. Mom kited around for awhile and then flew over to South East Ledge called to Courtney and when she didn’t fly took her some she had previously stashed.
1130-Courtney still down on Ledge. No sign of Parents.
1200- Some gulls flying overhead, got Courtney’s attention, made a brief appearance & then Dad brought in food. Courtney grabbed it so Fast and I think Dad tried to grab it back, but all he had was a single Primary Feather.
1215-Dad no longer @ same position.
1230- Courtney up on East side of Ledge.
1240- Mom in w/food took it over to Dad who was hiding in his favorite corner. He flew out to East and back & then circled 2-3 times over the entrance. Mom left pigeon remains there & then proceeded to go over by Door where there seems to be another stash. Courtney has moved over to be as close to parents as possible. She is also showing signs of attempting to join parents.
1310- Courtney back down out of sight.
1345- Mom agitated, Turkey Vulture to East on Direct Line over Nest Building. She flew out circled, came back and tried to get Dad to help, when it was obvious that he wasn’t going to do anything she flew out South East alarm calling which was enough to convince the TV to swing out of the way to the South. She then flew back an berated the Male for not helping.
1445- All quiet, and the evening watch crew arrived and we spent an pleasant hour or so visiting. Nothing much happening w/the Birds except the Male did a fairly low high speed pass after a Crow over top of us.
1645-Left Evening Watch in the capable hands of the evening watch crew.
Posted on July 24, 2011 11:20 pm
July 24, 2011 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Ann Brokelman Reports:
At 6pm I saw 1 adult and 1 juvenile at the building at Markham and Neilson. Within 5 minutes the male juvenile was off with the female juvenile following him. They darted across the road towards the photo lab. Flying so fast it was hard to keep them in sight. Over the road again and towards the 401. Back and forth they went. Looked behind me at the yellow pages building to see the third juvenile sitting at the peak of the building. He was screaming and screaming for food. I then noticed the adult had left. At 6:30 you could hear all 3 juveniles screaming and the race was on to the fitness centre to see what mom had brought. The one male got the food and the other two sat on the ledge screaming. Suddenly the male with the food took off with the other 2 juveniles following again. He landed on the hotel. So did the other ones. The last I saw of the 3 little screamers was them flying around the temple on Markham Road. They were flying from one top to the next. Man are they fast, beautiful and fun to watch. Ann
Posted on July 24, 2011 10:55 pm
July 24, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Sunday July 24th - 2011
A quick look at the Toronto Sheraton nest ledge via the colour camera this afternoon and we were able to take a quick snap-shot of the one of the adults back hanging out on the nest ledge as he/she is seeking a little shade and safe quiet time space.
As we have long since learned, the nest ledges that have a back stop with over hanging cover and side walls offer the peregrines an ideal place to go where they are sheltered from view, one that allows them a safe space from prying eyes (and any perceived dangers from above). Truly a “safe house and place” that offer a stress free environment from the big city rat race.
In addition, as you can see in the photo, he/she has tucked themselves behind the ledge, and a shady place to escape the hot midday sun!
Posted on July 24, 2011 12:21 pm
December 31, 1969 - Brampton - Courthouse
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Saturday July 23rd - 2011 - PM Fledge watch report:
For the most parts this afternoon, the fledge watch was uneventful and a very quiet evening with the exception of the rain and Courtney’s single flight around 6:45pm.
Around 6:46pm, young Courtney took her second flight of the day. She again bolted from the Library Courthouse roof where she had earlier flown to, and immediately lost altitude almost coming to the ground. Amazingly, she was able to get some air and gained some altitude as hooked around to the south further away from our view.
Out of nowhere, Truss, - (mon) appeared in our view and was in hot pursuit of baby Courtney. In a few seconds, Truss has intercepted Courtney and managed to literally herd her around in the air and turned her back northbound. While Courtney struggled to hold her altitude, a few gusts of air made all the difference in the world. Courtney caught a break, as the quick moving air allowed her to gain some incredible altitude and she was able to make a decent landing back on the courthouse building,, - two thirds up - on one of the courthouse’s upper south elevations.
There she stayed on the ledge until dark.
Heavy dark clouds rolled in and for the most parts, and they stayed for the balance of the afternoon and evening. We got several good soakings of rain that has us running to the cars to cover. The rain although was most welcomed, as it cooled down the air temps and the hot pavement that surrounded us. The rains cooling effects was incredibly welcomed!!
It was quite obvious that the peregrines were equally as delighted with the rain, (well,,, at least Courtney and Milton), as they were both observed running around on their perspective ledges flapping in the rain in quite an animated fashion.
Courtney was especially animated through the first two periods of rain, (unlike the her behaviour a day ago when she was far less amused by getting wet in the short little spits of rain that we had received). This time, she was observed with wings open, bobbing up and down trying to dip herself in some water puddles that has obviously collected on her ledge.
I was equally as surprised to see Milton’s behaviour during the rain, as he was the most animated of all. We don’t often see “wild” adults acting like kids playing in the water! He flapped both wings while simultaneously running around in short circles bobbing up and down during the first two short downpours. He was absolutely hilarious! If I’m to understand it correctly, this is the very first rain that we have received in a month, and with this unbearable heat and humidity over the past week, its been oppressively hot in the streets on the fledge watches!
We didn’t see Truss during this period so we don’t know what she was doing at this point.
By the end of the day, Truss fed Courtney at least three times (if not four times) throughout the day. It is worth noting that while we have all seen Milton do some hunting and food caching, Truss seems to be doing the most all of the hunting these days! Her preferences seems to be pigeons, as we are constantly seeing her struggling in the air with huge pigeon kills as she returns to the Courthouse. This is not surprising, as Truss was produced at the Burlington Lift bridge nest site, where her mother dined (and fed Courtney and her other siblings as a young hatchlings) almost exclusively with pigeons. The Burlington lift bridge, in addition to the Skyway bridge has thousands of pigeons, and we have watched the adult peregrines at the bridge over the years “shopping” for pigeons amongst the steel girders of the two bridges.
At one point, we observed the adult peregrines actually hovering outside of the large hole openings of the bridges steel girder undercarriage, (going from hole to hole like shopping down the ails in a supermarket), then diving into the holes, reappearing with young pigeon squabs. In addition, we have long observed both adults working/ hunting in the steel undercarriages of both of the bridges rousting out the pigeons.
Truss has learned this from her mother at the Burlington nest site, and obviously teaching some of these same things to Courtney. It looks like “pigeon” will remain a big part of Courtney’s diet, and something that she will likely teach her own hatchlings should she survive to adulthood and raise her own family.
Saturday July 23rd - 2011 AM Fledge Watch report
0515-Arrived @ Courthouse, all quiet.
0530- Heard Courtney vocalizing, and found her @ North end of Nest, she was also attended by an Adult (Female??) On the top roof.
0545- Mom in w/food, Courtney grabbed it, Mom made a low stoop about the height of Building to East of Courthouse (ServiceOntario).
0600-Courtney finished food and back up on Southeast Corner of Middle Ledge.
0615- Courtney off to try for exact same ledge as yesterday with exactly the same results. The only difference was that she was around 60′ East and with the added angle she did a gentle carom off the Marble and today she landed on the top roof instead of the one she landed on yesterday.
0630-Mom chases a pigeon and either tags it or it hit the East side of the Courthouse and followed it down to a lower level roof. She has been back there a second time & I haven’t seen her remove it, so I would call it a stash. Tivo arrived and I heard some more detail of Courtney’s escapades last evening.
0645-Mom up South East Corner of Middle Ledge, ( Vocalizations loosely Translated “Aw not Again, were did she go”. She then grabbed the remainder of the pigeon Courtney had for Breakfast and took it down to Her. After feeding for 5-10 minutes Courtney lay down flat for a nap, The two feedings must of made her “very sleepy”. I don’t know what Dad’s excuse was but even he was napping on & off.
0745- Things pretty static, all 3 falcons visible on East side of Courthouse. Dad occasionally stooping to clear pigeons around East Entrance or flying over Courtney to keep her alert.
0805-Mom finally chased Dad, she seems fairly adamant that “It’s no excuse to not have the “Honey Do” list continued on with even though it’s Saturday and he just wants to “chill” and work on his Tan.
0845-Courtney back eating some left over Pigeon.
0900-Courtney active, finally flew Down to Lower Roof (same place she spent most of yesterday). She looked like she was getting a good dose of sun, so she was looking for shade. Mom & Dad still in same positions.
1050- Courtney in same position, Mom finally picked up pigeon and transported w/some difficulty to Northwest Corner, ate some and the flew back to East side of Courthouse. She flew saw the Male resting and flew up and screamed @ him. Reading his beak I would say the reply was “Whatever” flew 50′ or so and when she disappeared he flew back & went to sleep.
1055- Just saw the funniest ever, 2 pigeons flew into land on the metal Flashing in the area where I suspect Courtney is. What I saw brought a new meaning to the Term “Touch & Go”. They no sooner touched that Flashing then they did the quickest 180 degree Turn I’ve ever seen.
1115- Dad got busted, Mom rousted the Two pigeons mentioned above and then busted Dad for resting.
1130- Dad moved around to Northeast Corner of Courthouse.
1200- Dad back, Mom in same place, no sign of Courtney.
1230- Dad only one visible, did a walk about, no sign of Mom or Courtney.
1300- Brief glimpse of Courtney up & flapping, 1st Time since 0900 (4 Hrs).
1400- Courtney up again. Mom very vocal.
1445- Things settling down. Courtney back out of sight.
1500- Mom agitated, at one point she chased off the pigeons near Courtney and in doing so passed by me @ head height no more than 6-8 feet away and I would guesstimate around 100 Mph.
1600-Courtney appears on Ramp that leads from rooftop above toward courthouse entrance. Very interesting watching a juvenile navigate an angled surface, she almost slipped off when turning.
1615-Mom made one attempt to lure Courtney off with Food, with no luck
1645-Evening Watch crew in, filled them in with Day’s happenings and headed home.
Thanx Bruce
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Posted on July 23, 2011 11:48 pm
