July 21, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
A surprise this morning to see a juvenile on the nest ledge this morning. It’s Sunshine, the juvenile!
We already have too much sunshine today with the record breaking heat and humidity. Today Toronto reach 38 degrees C. by 2p.m. and the day is not over, with the humidity it felt more like 49 degrees C. We have not had any rain for almost 23 days, so there are no puddles for the peregrines to stomp around in for cooling.
Sunshine remained on the nest ledge hunkered in the far corner in the shade. I hope there was a breeze up there. She was still there well into the afternoon.
Posted on July 21, 2011 7:17 pm
July 21, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Mark Nash Reports:
Thursday July 21st - 2011 - AM Fledge watch update:
Early this morning, Toivo reports that baby Courtney was doing allot more flapping and getting the wing exercise and muscle building that she needs to prepare her for her first flights, but sadly, this is not the day to do this with the heat alerts and debilitating humidity and heat.
We have already received many telephone calls and e-mail reports of Baby Courtney laying down flat on her belly with her wings stretched out looking very much like she is in serious distress.
While this is in part correct, she is not injured and this behaviour is quite normal. During the extreme heat and humidity, one of the only few ways for a non-flighted juvenile peregrine to cool itself down, is to lie flat down on it belly and scratch there wings out. The gravel and dirt substrate on the ledge actually helps cool down their body temperature, and with their wings spread out, this increases the cooling processes to help them bring down their core temperature.
While the adults have the option of flying off into a shady spot, and/or fly off to find pools of water on the various surrounding roof tops, the un-flighted juveniles don’t have this option, so they do the next best thing in an effort to cool themselves down.
On yet another note, we are asking that all occupants of the office suites that are directly behind Courtney’s position to close their blinds so that this human activity doesn’t further stress her out and further raise her body temperature. While she is an urban produced peregrine and will soon learn that people behind windows looking at her presents no threat or danger and she will eventually become at ease with this activity, she is still learning. Her stress is compounded with this extreme heat and humidity and the last thing that we would want to happen is to scare her off the ledge again given that she is not able to fly yet.
We are on site, and will be monitoring the situation closely.
It appears that we will all get a break from these temps later this evening and tomorrow.
Stay tuned………..
Posted on July 21, 2011 11:22 am
July 20, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Mark Nash Reports:
Wednesday July 20th - 2011
Today’s watch for the most parts was very uneventful with little Courtney spending much of her time on the same ledge that she was released back to the night before. We believe that she didn’t actually “fledge” from the nest ledge given that she is still a little too young and still really not able to fly as yet.
Her activity - (or lack there of) might confirm this, as she did very little flapping today and spent most of her day trying to hide out from the onlookers behind the windows that came to get a view of her from inside the building.
The heat and humidity would be best described as brutal today with absolutely no relief from the blazing sun. Both of the adults were very inactive today as well, as it was obvious that they too are having some challenges with the high humidity. Mom did feed Courtney today later in the day around 5pm.
It wasn’t until the usual “falcon follies” time - (after 8pm) when all of the activity usually starts,, around 8:30 pm, Truss - (the resident adult female) went after a low flying pigeon driving it to the ground, and proceeded to catch it literally “on the ground” at the south end of the courthouse grounds close to the south wall. Truss struggled to get altitude while carrying the huge pigeon (still very much alive) while in her clutches. She flew only several feet above the ground around the east side of the courthouse directly in front of our position to the north over the Swiss Chalet and had to circle around back around the courthouse building in an effort to gain altitude.
It happened so fast, and so spectacular, (and so close), none of us grabbed our cameras as we were jockeying for position just to see the event! Finally, Winston was able to think quickly as Truss landed on the east courthouse ledge and was able to snap a quick photo despite the poor lighting conditions.
At one point, it looked like Truss was not going to make it with he heavy package, but refused to let it go!! At another point, we thought that she was going to be hit by cars as she was so low over the busy roadway to the north of the courthouse. She finally hooked around the courthouse building again, finally gaining some altitude and was able to make it to one of the lower courthouse ledges on the east elevation.
As she landed, the pigeon was flapping frantically while still her clutches, and Truss held it firm while she herself panted and gasped for air after this long flight to reach the ledge. Despite the fact that peregrines have an incredible ability to process air in their lungs, this high humidity causes everyone challenges,, including the peregrines!
After several minutes of trying to catch her breath, Truss finally put the pigeon out of its misery and proceeded to pluck and prepare it. While she did take a few mouthfuls of the pigeon for herself, she did not eat it, AND did not bring any of it to Courtney!!
Baby Courtney watched the entire event and happening from her elevated position on the courthouse ledge, but made no attempt to call out or vocalize to mom, which is very odd indeed!
After the pigeon was plucked and prepared, Truss flew off - without the pigeon-,, and landed on the upper courthouse roof directly above Courtney and roosted for about ten minutes or so. Truss then flew off to the south east upper courthouse roof (still in direct eye sight of the Courtney) and stayed there until darkness fell. For the most parts, baby Courtney remained very in-active and throughout the entire day, and by 9:30pm she had disappeared from our view, moving back further onto the ledge and settled in for the night.
Satisfied that everyone was settled down for the evening, we closed the fledge watch down for the evening and departed around 10:30pm.
It is also worth noting that Milton was not seen for the most parts throughout the day.
Also, I have added some of the photos that were taken yesterday during the physical examination of Courtney before she was released back to the ledge. It is very important that a physical examination be done to ensure that Courtney had not sustained any brakes or fractures before she is released back to the upper ledges. She checked out just fine, with allot of “attitude”and very feisty! Just what we wanted so see!!
Posted on July 21, 2011 9:58 am
July 20, 2011 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Ann Brokelman Reports:
I arrived at the Yellow Pages building at 6:00pm to see Linn sitting on the NE corner and one juvenile eating on the S centre side.
Within 15 minutes the activity started. One male was hovering on the top of the building, the female joined in. They played catch me if you can, talon touching, the speed was incredible. Stooping at each other, turning right, then left then straight down. For appr 10 minutes the two juveniles played around the building. They then moved to the building on the south side (beyond the parking lot), I was surprised to see both of them sitting on the light stand right above me. It was the female (red tag) and Jet. Well they looked at me but didn’t go anywhere. Suddenly the 3rd male peregrine juvenile joined them and went on the attack. That got all three up and playing over the parking lot and then toward the 401. They were over the highway for a good 3 minutes chasing, diving, playing. They then moved to the building to the east of the photo lab and were seen diving at each other and landing on the top of the building. They were still having a heck of a good time when I had to leave. I stopped in after going to a meeting 8:15pm and no sign of them.
I tell you that is what you call amazing, fantastic and totally wild. You need to go and watch this behaviour as it is really too hard to describe but well worth the drive to Scarborough. I was so busy watching the peregrines I almost stepped on a ground hog.
Posted on July 20, 2011 9:03 pm
July 20, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Mark Nash Reports:
Wednesday July 20th - AM fledge watch report:
I received an update this morning from Toivo from the Brampton fledge watch that Courtney is doing well and still on the upper court house ledge where she was released last night. Truss, (the resident female parent), was roosting one ledge level above Courtney - (eating) and was in attendance and watching closely over her. Despite Courtney’s screaming at Truss to convince mom to give her food, (and mom did not give in), Courtney is doing just fine.
Remember that the adults are starting to wean Courtney to both help her loose some of her excessive weight and the baby fat, and also ti encourage her to start taking her first flights.
There is much to teach her before the young peregrines get the urge to migrate in September. She like most all peregrine juveniles, will migrate south in the early fall, and will be on their own without their parents guidance or protection.
Stay tuned…………
Posted on July 20, 2011 2:50 pm
July 19, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Mark Nash Reports:
Tuesday July 19th - PM Report
Quite a day indeed! The Brampton Court fledge watch has begun!! We still stayed on track despite baby Courtney plans and were able to meet with fledge watch crew to go over the rules of engagement and protocols that we operate under while involved in fledge watch activities, and courthouse protocols while conducting these activities in/on and around the property.
After the meeting with lasted aprox. two hours, we all attended the courthouse and met with security and did one further physical examination of baby Courtney to ensure that thee were no further health issues before putting her back to the nest ledge and her parents. The extreme heat and humidify had both the resident adult parents inactive through most of the day, holding up out of sight in the shade to avoid the blazing hot sun. They too, do not do well in this type of extreme heat and humidity and do their best to hide out from the direct sun. Peregrine’s darker feather colouring absorb the suns heat and they can easily over heat especially with the extreme humidify.
Baby Courtney on the other hand, spent a very relaxing day in air conditioning in a stress free environment and was very relaxed. Her final examination went well, and she was again provided with water which she eagerly accepted. She was full of renewed energy, very alert and released back to the upper ledges and her awaiting parents as planned without incident.
Again, a huge thank you to court security, the Peel police and the management group for all of their understanding and support!! These folks are GREAT!!!
While we don’t expect baby Courtney to actually fledge over the next day or two given her young age, but we will be on site all day, every day on the fledge watch until baby Courtney has clearly demonstrated that she can hold her altitude and no longer needs rescuing, and can stay out of trouble from the ground.
For theos that are new to the fledge watch procedures and what is happening, young fledgling peregrines most often end up on the ground during their first flights. They are uncoordinated, too heavy with baby fat, and have not yet developed the mussel mass and flight skills to hold their altitude, let alone get off the ground back into the air and th nest ledge to safety.
When the young fledgling peregrines come to ground, they are unable to get back into the air, and like a young human infant learning to walk for their first time, they are also too naive to understand the dangers that exist on the ground. In the fledgling peregrines case, they are easily predated by other avian and land based predators. Here in the city, there are additional dangers from automobiles, domestic cats and dogs, raccoons, skunks and of course the odd bad guys that are only too quick to scoop up the young peregrine for financial gains.
Some of the young fledglings are stay grounded until they loose some of the heavy baby fat, and further exercise their wings to develop the necessary wing mussels strength and coordination to be able to get aloft again. In the wild - (non-urban nest sites), many of these young grounded fledgling peregrines are in fact predated. Peregrines have a high mortality - upwards of 80% in the first year, with the higher percentage of their mortality at fledge time.
Air movement plays an important role with peregrines, especially the young fledglings. Being heavy bodied birds with smaller wings, peregrines utilize the air movements to gain their altitude, and despite the fact that they are one (if not the fastest animal on the planet), they are actually encumbered in straight and level flight in dead air.
One of the many reasons peregrines nest high up on cliffs (and most recently, on high-rise buildings here in our urban landscapes). Peregrines are the F-16 and F-18 jet fighters that need allot of air space, and lots of attitude. They are not lumbering huge broad winged bombers (or like large / broad winged hawks or owls that can easily gain altitude in dead air). The juvenile fledgling peregrine is further disadvantaged in that it is inexperienced, never flown before, too fat and heavy, and very uncoordinated, and is now on the ground.
The adult parents refuse to feed it and for good reasons! The ground is a very dangerous place, especially for a peregrine! The parents wile attentive and still very protective will attempt to coax the fledgling back to into the air with food, sometimes harass it, and even attack it in an effort to get it off the ground and airborne. Once the fledgling is back at a safe altitude, the adult parents will resume feeding and tending to the fledgling.
We are there to assist and help get the grounded fledgling off the ground sooner than later, as the urban environment holds additional dangers.
Pictures to follow.
Stay tuned…………
Posted on July 20, 2011 2:33 pm
July 19, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Tuesday July 19th-2011 - AM fledge watch report:
The morning started out not much different than any other morning during this time of year when our phones are lit up with calls of young fledgling falcons been pushed or blown of their nest ledges, or jumping off the ledges to take their first flights, ending up on the ground. Most of which we are successful in safely retrieving them from the ground and getting them back to their parents and the nest ledges with out serious injuries.
This morning was no different, as the telephone calls started just after 8am, with a serious of calls from Brampton regarding the young hatchling from the Brampton courthouse. A huge thank you to the Brampton court security, the facilities management group and the most recent member of the CPF fledge watch team member that was in the right place at the right time!
At some point from the first light of the day, baby Courtney ended up on the ground and was spotted by court security laying down under a tree on the court property. Toivo, a new CPF fledge watch team member happened to stop in on his way to work and investigated the excitement at ground level. Baby Courtney was successfully rescued and retrieved from the ground, boxed and brought back into the facilities management office for safe keeping until I arrived to further examine her for any injuries that she might have sustained.
After a much closer and detailed physical examination later in the morning, Courtney was cleared to be released back to the nest ledge and her parents. It is also worth noting, that she still has a significant amount of baby down, and we don’t believe that she has actually “fledged” on her own. We suspect that she had actually been blown or stumbled and fallen from the nest ledge.
She is still not fully flighted at this stage but was able to break her fall and flutter to the ground. Thank goodness she is a bird, and has many of her juvenile flight feathers that are almost in allowed her to softly come to the ground,, and equally as important,, the fact that she didn’t venture out on the Huronontario road way before Toivo get there and able to round her up, preventing her from walking our on to the street,,, as this would have had disastrous deadly results given the huge amount of morning rush hour traffic!
A huge thanks to Toivo, Melanie and Terry who came to her rescue!!!
Baby Courtney will be returned to the nest ledge and her parents later this evening once it is safe to do so. For the day, she was enjoying some delightful air-conditioned accommodation and a much needed break from the oppressive heat and humidity that is especially hard on this young juveniles at this age.
Toivo reports:
Tuesday , July 19th- 2011
I went down early and watched Truss carry a small kill to the ledge, she left after a minute and consumed it herself. Then I saw building security come around and looking in the pines under the ledge.
Terry from security and I found baby Courtney on the ground towards the north end, and far too close to the road..
He had to get back to his duties. So over next hour I gently herded her south and around the building out onto a lawn and into a corner. Now what. My gloves were in the car, with a blanket.
I was making calls when some staff led by Melanie showed up with a box.
One quick move , a box over Courtney, a moment for her to calm down in the dark, then we worked the top under the bottom.
Courtney seemed Ok , walked with a very slight limp, flapped well but not nearly strongly enough for flight, and made no calls of distress or pain.
All this close to the building and very much out of site of Truss and Milton. So at least I did not have to deal with being dive bombed!
She has been left with Melanie at the courthouse, awaiting the arrival of Marion Nash from the CPF that has been earlier dispatched by facilities management.
We are all praying she is fine and can be returned to the ledge and her parents.
Quite enough adventure for both Courtney and I.
Toivo Asikainen
Stay tuned…………. more to come.
Posted on July 20, 2011 1:20 pm
July 18, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Mark Nash Reports:
Monday July 18th - 2011
It’s getting close to baby Courtney’s first flights, and we will be meeting with the fledge watch volunteers on Tuesday July 19th to go over the fledge watch protocols and rules of engagement as it applies to the Brampton fledge watch. We are meeting with the facilities management and court security Tuesday afternoon prior to meeting with the fledge watch team at 7pm to ensure that all is in place and we all understand the protocols and rules of engagement that we operate under while on the Brampton fledge watch. Officially, we will be starting the fledge watch in the morning of Wednesday July 20th, as baby Courtney will be 36 days old and will very soon be starting to take her first flights.
Stay tuned………….
Posted on July 20, 2011 12:03 pm
July 20, 2011 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Here is what was sent to us in an email from one of our dedicated Watchers, Marilyn
“Last time I popped in was briefly
on Friday late in the day. Didn’t see anyone human, but Freddie was
watching the nest and there was a brief swoop through by Voltaire and
Spitfire.”
We were there on Saturday, all we saw was Voltaire.
Last evening we decided to go there just before it got too dark, Spitfire was sitting on the cable, Freddie flew in and landed for a few minutes and then flew up on the “A” of Ambassador. This morning we were there at 6:30 A.M. Freddie was sitting on the nest box with a full crop and spent about half an hour preening himself. No sign of Spitfire or Voltaire.
Thank You Marilyn for the email.
Gwen & Dennis, Site co-ordinators CPF
Posted on July 20, 2011 9:31 am
July 20, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
The heat is really weighing down on everyone, including our falcon family. I have only seen mom two times in the past week and that was very briefly, no doubt she’s perching somewhere shady these days. No sighting of Jack for over a week either.
The boys were last sighted last Wednesday when one of them was aggressively harassing mom for food, hopefully he was just acting spoiled and is not having difficulty hunting. Last year I witnessed the same behaviour from Blackberry so I’m hoping this isn’t a case of deja vu. I havent’ seen or heard either of them since then so they may have dispersed already, hopefully they will stay safe as they explore the world out there.
It’s been a strange year again especially since Jupiter’s passing and with this unbearable heat which was preceded by record cold and rainfall early on. That being said, it’s been amazing to see how they adapt to situations and do what they can to safeguard their offspring and give them a better chance at survival.
Posted on July 20, 2011 9:02 am
