June 30th - 2011
Friday saw Milton return with a pigeon. Moments after landing, Truss flew out of the nest area, snatched it away from him and flew off to another part of the roof to feed. Once she was done she took the kill to the nest. Sadly that was all the action I managed to catch today.
Winston
June 29th - 2011
This morning I saw what looked like a food transfer between the two adults. I was far away and did not see any food but am pretty sure. A perched Truss walked over to Milton, who had just landed near by at a cache site, and then made a b-line to the nest. The two could be seen perched near the nest most of the AM.
The afternoon had two Turkey Vultures wander too close to the nest. Truss was with the chick when Milton took off after the TVs. Shortly after, Truss bolted out of the nest area screaming. One TV made a hasty exit but the one that Truss was chasing couldn’t get away fast enough for Truss’ liking and was attacked. Both TVs survived and Truss returned to the nest area for some preening.
Winston
June 28th - 2011
Today’s sunny weather did provide for more activity as both Truss and Milton were out and about near the nest site. Today was very windy and although I did get several good looks at the pair, sadly I did not witness any food entering the nest site. At one point, Truss left her perch (which was sheltered from the wind) then hit the full force of the wind as she flew West. She quickly decided to land, and the closest location was the nest. Once down, a lot of vocalization was heard, presumably the chick begging for food. Truss left the nest shortly after landing. Earlier in the day Milton was found near the roof on the East side of the building on an exit door to a narrow ledge several stories up. It was the kind of door you wouldn’t want to open from the inside if you were being chased; or for that matter if there was a Peregrine on the other side.
Winston
June 27th - 2011
Finding Truss and Milton has been difficult over the last few days as rain and hunting demands have kept the parents busy. Truss was out of sight until today when she was spotted looking down over the nest site. Milton has been more visible but even he has been hard to find of late; presumably off hunting. Luckily today I was able to spot both of them in their usual location near the nest together. Prior to this week, it was easy to see the pair carrying food to and from nest and cache sites. Lately, I have been either unlucky or the rate of activity has decreased.
Winston
June 28th - 2011
Sadly, for the first time since the MEC nest site was established, the resident adults were unsuccessful in hatchling there eggs this season. While this is sad news, there is some good news to report. Unable to do regular site visits as often as we would have liked since the last egg disappeared from the nest box because all of the on-going fledge watches and overlapping bandings, we have received a observation report from Katherine reporting that both the resident adults were spotted sitting on the nest ledge around 4pm today.
This is good news indeed, as it appears that both adults are still hanging in tight to the nest box and holding the territory.
Thanks Katherine for the update!!!
June 30th - 2011
This afternoon Mark Nash received a call from property management south west of the Sheraton Nest site, stating they had large strange bird sitting on the sidewalk outside their building. I was dispatched to investigate. When I arrived, staff had pillioned and taped off the area surrounding the bird. One quick glance and sure enough, it’s a juvenile peregrine falcon. I couldn’t see who it was, this large bird was lying down having enough of the two legged creatures with no feathers staring at her.
The staff were very helpful and provided me with a cloth sheet to pick up the rather healthy female peregrine and secure her in a box until Mark and Marion arrived. Minutes later, Mark and Marion arrived with nets and carrier. No net needed, but she was feisty as Mark picked her up. On examination is was discovered it was Kate from the Sheraton Nest Site, indicated by her blue band and Canadian Wildlife Bands. A small crowd had already gathered from the start were very inquisitive and Mark was more than happy to show Kate to her admirers and explain the history of the peregrines in Ontario and more importantly, the peregrines in the downtown core.
We then took Kate back to the Sheraton, Mark and Marion examined her thoroughly and she had no injuries and she appeared to be well fed. We gave her water and she was good to go back to the nest ledge. Where at 6:50p.m. she is still there, looking out.
Many, many thanks to the staff and office tenants of 180 Wellington St and local tenants of the adjoining buildings. Deep appreciation to the gentlemen and ladies from Avison and Young Property Management Group for going beyond the call and the many phone calls they made to different agencies to ensure this bird was placed in the proper hands. And also, Sandra Celli, of Avison and Young Property Management Group, who has supported the peregrines nest at 18 King S for many years.
Thanks Mark and Marion for fighting gridlock on a holiday weekend in downtown Toronto to come to Kate’s rescue.
Today I recieved a call from Mark Nash, who had himself received a call from building security informing him that one of the juveniles was down on the low rooftops, was panting and not in very good shape.
By the time I got to her she was already gone. I knew when I saw the yellow tape on her band that it was our sweet Jupiter, our super star flyer and upstart that knocked mom of her perch with such bold confidence.
She was found directly under the glass on the roof towards the back of the roof. Her condition, her position and her rapid decline are consistent with the explanation Mark had given us of how devestating an impact is for them. I will leave the expert opinion to Mark to confirm what we found.
What is especially tragic about Jupiter’s loss is that she did everything right, she flew well, she stayed high. She came down low once but it wasn’t a crash landing, she was just in a place that was accessible by humans and other predators so we couldn’t risk leaving her there until she made her own way back up like her brothers did. Unfortunately no one told her about how deceptive those strange glass panels that reflect the blue sky and the clouds are.
I would like to say thank you to Sunlife Buiding Security team, they were wonderful to me today and are always looking out for our family. And a special thank you to the United Church member that kindly called to inform them that one of the kids was down on the roof and in trouble. Your thoughfulness is appreciated.
To my beautiful Jupiter - I consider myself honored to have known you and to have felt the downy softness of your feathers.
Bill and I got to the Lift Bridge last evening (6/29/11) around 5:30. We searched in all the usual spots, but with no luck. Finally around 6:15 Bill spotted one juvenile tucked under the Skyway Bridge on one of the beams. She had her back to us so we were unable to see who it was. We never did find the other Juvenile. There was no movement whatsoever, so we decided to head for home around 6:45. I guess we should have waited a little longer because:
Paul Reynolds reports the following after his arrival between 6:45 and 7:00:
Hi Sue, I’ve been to the pier a number of times, watching the kids play. Tonight (6/29/11) I saw Lady Nelson hunting in the trees across the canal on the Burlington side. Lady Lamont came from behind carrying a pigeon about ten feet off the water. She landed over in the boat launch area in the middle of the grass. I left to go fishing then on the way back to the car I noticed Lady Lamont was up the Hamilton Hydro tower finishing off her meal. As I drove out the two of them were flying together around the same Hydro tower.
Back to Monday (6/27/11) evening, both birds were sitting on the top rail of the bridge, and it was pretty clear they were chasing the pigeons as they went down to drink.
Attached are a few photos from June 26 and June 27.
I did a head check this morning around 7:30am. Cinnamon was on the
south east corner of the DBRS building and one of the girls was on
the north east corner of the National Bank building. Tiago was
asleep on the south Sheraton logo and Rhea May was sleeping on the
south west corner of the lower Sheraton building, next to the
running track. I couldn’t see the other girl from ground level.
From 23, Rhea Mae had left, Cinnamon was also gone but the girl on
the National Bank building was still there for a brief moment. Back
on ground level, everyone was gone from view except Tiago. I left
by checking out the area around University Ave. and Wellington [as
well as Metro Hall]. I didn’t see or hear any peregrine activity.
We stopped by the Bridge again this morning and Ted had been there since 5:45 A.M. He reports that he has seen a big difference in the two chicks since he started to watch this week. While we were there, one of them did a great flight display. If you have nothing to do those Peregrines are a wonderful sight. All you need is patience and a pair of binoculars. They could be hanging around anywhere near the bridge and doing wonderful flight displays.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators CPF