Canadian Peregrine Foundation

Peregrine Follies Begin!!

June 27, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

Linda Woods Reports:

!!! Finally, Cinnamon and Kate Fledge!! AM report.

June 27, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

CPF Postmaster Reports:

Monday June 27th - 2011 AM report:
The morning started with a flurry of calls, incoming e-mail and photo snap-shots regarding the Toronto Sheraton nest site. Shortly after 10am this morning, both Kate and little Cinnamon left the ledge and took their first flight, sort of.

While Cinnamon had earlier tried his flight skills earlier with disastrous results leaving him downed on the sidewalk at just feet of busy traffic at York and Richmond streets in downtown Toronto, Kate has yet to take her maiden flight and test her wings.

Had it not been for the heroic and dedicated efforts of the caring staff at the Keg Restaurant protecting Cinnamon with a box and literally standing on guard duty until CPF fledge watch volunteers arrived to complete the rescue, it is very likely that he would have been trampled or run over in the swarm of down town traffic.

While the two fledglings remain together on the roof top of 120 Adelaide - (a favourite first landing spot of many of the Sheraton juveniles over the years), this roof top is much lower in elevation compared to the 43 story nest ledge elevation at the Toronto Sheraton.

One of many photos sent in today - (this one from Eileen in New York state) shows both resident adults on the nest ledge checking out the situation just after the two fledged this morning.

!!! Flying, YAHOO!!!!!

June 27, 2011 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

I know it has been a few days since we posted anything but when you have two kids to look after well need I say more? It has been a busy and sometimes very stressful past three days. We had to rescue Lady Gaga twice and put her up on to the roof across the street and then she just flew without any problems at all. Spitfire came down on the ground and walked up the steps across the street and decided that’s where he was going to stay until he could see Lady Gaga and then he thought I want to be up there as well. He didn’t quite make it so he came down on the ground and then by late evening we put him on the roof as well. That lasted about 10 minutes or so and he flew back towards the nest but landed on the abudment of the Bridge. Where he spent the night. Thank You to Susan & John, Bess, Collette, Ted, Mark and Marilyn for being such good Watchers this weekend. Also, the Bridge Company if it were’t for all of you Lady Gaga and Spitfire would not be such good flyers right now. Kim came with the lift truck three times, twice for Lady Gaga and once for Spitfire. Dennis and I cannot Thank all of you enough.
Gwen & Dennis
Site Co-ordinators for CPF

!!! Striker is flying OK but Jet and Rhiannon are still ledge potatoes!

June 26, 2011 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages

Mark Nash Reports:

For the most parts, today was quite uneventful, with the exception of the last 2 hours of the day - from 7pm to 9:30pm. Arrived early in the morning around 7am to find both Jet and Striker on the same upper concrete ledge on the west side of the building that I left them on last evening.

At approx. 10:30 am, Rhiannon finally took her first flight, out and back only to land on a lower ledge on an upper elevation on the south west of the building, several floors lower than the nest ledge itself. She remained there until shortly after 3pm when she finally took a second short flight down to her brothers ledge and never flew again for the balance of the day. She appeared quite content to be with her two brothers. Striker on the other hand made several good flights from ledge and gained altitude on several occasions, finally with one of his last flights that put him back on the same ledge that he started from joining his two siblings.

All three of the fledglings spent most of the balance of the day together with various spirts of playing with each other, with allot of sleeping and laying down to relax beside one another. Some intimate family moments wee observed with allot of beak touching and huddling up to one another on many occasions.
Reuben (the resident adult male) was absent for most of the day again today, disappearing once again to the south west with only the occasional short visits to the nest building only to fly off again and out of sight disappearing for hours.

Linn on the other hand, was never out of sight of the fledglings with the exception of a few very short hunting forays all within my eyesight that yielded a few small kills, which she did bring in into the building throughout the day, but only offered two of the tiny kills to the kids. She did allot of teasing trying to coax them into flying, but no-one was budging. It is worth noting that neither of the resident adults made any pigeon kills at all, as all of the kills have been much smaller birds. As a matter of fact, there has been a noticeable absence of pigeons everywhere in and around of the Yellow Pages facilities!!

Unlike the last four days of this fledge watch, when all of the young falcons have for the most parts been completely in-active and down for the evening by 8 pm, this was not to be the case this evening. The “falcon follies” only just started by 7:30pm with all of them very active screaming to their parents for food, running back and forth flapping on the ledge. A lot of threatening to fly, but it was only Striker that did some short flights from ledge to ledge in an attempt to pursue mom as she moved her observation position around the on the north and west site of the building,, always just slightly out of reach.

By 9pm, everyone was once again laying down and retired for the evening and all activity seemed to stop. We stayed until 9:30pm when we were convinced that nothing was going to happen and close the watch down for the evening.

Stay tuned……

!!! So far so good.

June 26, 2011 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

CPF Postmaster Reports:

Canada Square report, Sunday June 26th 2011

Bruce was again on duty early this morning. There was some activity at and after his arrival. He found one of the adults hunting up near 520 Duplex Ave. He also saw one of the juveniles make a *long haul flight* over the Canada Square building south to the antenna atop the TVO building. He did not stay there long before flying back.
One of the juveniles flies very well and maintains height. The other one still is not flying too often, nor as far.
When I arrived all three youngsters were on the Canada Square building; one juvie was on the roof, one juvie on the ledge below nest level on the north end and Chester was on the nest ledge.
There was no activity for a long time after my arrival until the female flew to the top of the SE corner of Rio-Can with a pigeon.
The juveniles knew they had to climb to reach food and when the first one took off he flew past the SW corner of Rio-Can to the top of the apartment building. Once he had *rested* he flew around Rio-Can eastwards and turned and came west to the top where the food was. It was a long journey but he gained the height he needed. Number two flew to the top of the apartment building and sat there for a while. He then flew to the top of the SW corner of Rio-Can and sat there for a long time. The female *buzzed* him to try and get him to the SE ledge. Fifteen minutes later he made the flight.
The adult male chased a small bird down Duplex Ave and over the cinema building where he was joined by the female. They both missed the little bird which simply dived down next to the TVO building.
A number of times the female flew up the side of the nest, over the nest or down the side of the nest to try and get Chester to fly. He refused! He did spend a good deal of the late afternoon squawking for food. Bruce said he did not think he had been fed in the morning and he certainly had not been after I arrived.
The two juveniles had a couple of flights where they played follow-me or tag but they were short flights!
On several occasions we did not have the juveniles in sight but the adults were not concerned so we were sure they were close. This proved to be the case as Bruce found them on a number of his walkabouts.
One of the juveniles flew gently into a window on the south face of Rio-Can, flew around the east side, flew back and did the same thing but this time flew around the west side of the building and was gone from view. He lost very little height on both occasions.
Both the adult male and female did a number of sorties out and about and also over the juveniles to try and get them to fly. Each time an adult flew over Canada Square, Chester squawked. It is amazing how loud a hungry peregrine can be. We heard him over all the traffic at the Yonge-Eglinton/Duplex-Eglinton intersections.
Finally he had his way and the female brought in some food. My word there was silence after that. All I could see was feathers flying in wild abandon on that nest ledge. The female stayed with him for a while whilst the adult male devoured a bird, elsewhere, without sharing. The female flew off the ledge did a short trip up Duplex and back on to the ledge.
Bruce went for his *round up walkabout* and came back as pleased as punch! One of the juveniles was sitting on the top of the vertical slabs at the windows on the Heart and Stroke building and the other juvenile was on the same building roof. It took only 4 days for one of them to master the intricate landing on one of those window slabs. We left mother and child, at about 9:00 p.m., on the nest ledge on Canada Square and the two juveniles on the Heart and Stroke building. I came back to look at the nest ledge and watched the mother clean up leftovers for fifteen minutes. Chester was perched on the edge, nestled up to the concrete wall and the female was perched, finally, mid-way along the same ledge when I left at 9:30.
Lyn

!!! Two fledges, flying Ok now, but Chester has yet to take his first flight.

June 25, 2011 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

CPF Postmaster Reports:

Canada Square report for Saturday, June 25th 2011.

Bruce was up early this morning to check on the fledgling which was released last night. At 5.45 a.m. he found one adult hunting around the apartment building several streets up Duplex Ave. One juvenile was on top of the Rio-Can building south face. He reports a quiet morning, during which time one juvenile flew more often than the other and even landed, several times, on the crossbar of the antenna atop the Canada Square building. That juvenile walked the length of the crossbar as well.
The second juvenile appeared to be more laid back and flew above the Rio-Can roof a couple of times. He did not make as many flights as his brother. Bruce saw one of the fledglings fly up to the top ledge of the *Heart and Stroke* building which is thirty floors high. The really good thing is that both of the juveniles are keeping their height now!
Chester is still on the nest ledge on the Canada Square building. He spent a lot of his time, whilst I was watching, tucked away and sleeping. The adult male landed on the ledge and flew off and this woke up young Chester who really had his wings exercising for some minutes after the male left. Chester was right on the edge going through these exercises and I felt he was going to slip and land on the ledge below the nest. Fortunately this did not happen!
Bruce saw all three youngsters about every two hours.
In the afternoon, before I arrived, Bruce saw the female fly south, *with intent*, from the Rio-Can building. The male, who was perched on the antenna on top of the TVO building followed her, also *with intent*. When Bruce followed them through the binoculars he saw a turkey vulture flying in lazy circles around Davisville area. The peregrine pair saw it off!
After I arrived we saw one of the adults bring in food. At first we thought it was going to go onto the nest ledge on Canada Square but the peregrine only went around the side so as to gain a little height with the slighter longer distance, to reach the top of the Rio-Can building. This was left for the juvenile on the top south east ledge. Much later the mom took the remains of the food from this ledge and into the nest ledge for Chester. He disappeared for a good long while.
Later the adult male flew to and from the Rio-Can building, several times, and finally coaxed one of the youngsters to fly. I admit this youngster only circled the Rio-Can building and then settled down again.
Everyone seemed to settle down for the night and at about 9:00 p.m. we called it a day and left. We believe that Luke and Buzz were on the roof tops of Rio-Can and Heart and Stroke when we left. The two adults were on the south face of the Rio-Can and quite settled. Young Chester put himself to bed on the nest ledge on Canada Square.
Cheers
Lyn

!!! NO FLEDGE, Film Crew, Blimp WHAT NEXT!

June 26, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

Linda Woods Reports:

Still no new fledges. The watch continues. Yesterday and today we have had to do double observing as a film crew was on the roof of 130 Adelaide. The direct area where the adults sit and clean prey and where most of the fledglings land on their first flights. What on ordeal!  All day we monitored not only the peregrines, but the film crew. Every time, activity at the nest ledge, 4-5 people would appear at the roof line of 130 Adelaide and look and point towards the nest ledge. Tiago and Rhea Mae made numerous passes at these people. I spoke with one individual who I recognize from a previous encounter and told him, that it wasn’t necessary for individuals to be approaching the roof line for no other reason than to watch the birds activity. He had a cavalier attitude and I also told him that we are watching them.” We are here, to ensure that no one approaches the birds when they land on that building.”  Sunshine did land on north east corner, but they didn’t see her there. Later she landed on the south east corner of 130 Adelaide. The film crew did see that landing, but they did not approach. They did look my way knowing I was watching them as well.  To add to this mix, a blimp was elevated in the direct area to take photos. This got the adults vocalizing and circling around the red and white balloon. I have posted a photo of this.

 This was not connected to the filming, but apparently related to the same property management associated with the roof top activity.  Sunshine continues to do very well, appearing at the nest ledge for meals.  She seems to dominate the food distribution, along with Kate. Leaving table scraps for little Cinnamon. Kate and Cinnamon enjoy a few episodes of flapping and ruuning of the ledge, testing their wings. Tonight Kate and Cinnamon huddled under the camera around 9:00p.m. Sunshine returned to the ledge and then took off towards the north west area of the hotel.

 A very stressful day for both the peregrines and the watchers.

!!! Kenya Back!!!

June 26, 2011 - Toronto - King Street

Linda Woods Reports:

Around noon today, while scanning the south side of the King St buildings, I caught site of what appeared to be a juvenile peregrine on the north east corner of the King Edward Hotel. I kept my eye on it and I thought I saw a second peregrine. I moved closer to the hotel and at a different angle. I saw one adult, two juveniles on the east side of the hotel, and the second adult was on the nest ledge. Food had just been delivered to the roof of the hotel and both Kenya and Sukura jumped down onto the roof to feed. Minutes later a clear view of Kenya with hazy head appeared, smaller than his sister Sukura. I had all four in view  at 1:15p.m.  YEAH!!!!

Baby Harlequin doing well. Growing very fast indeed!!

June 25, 2011 - Toronto - Don Mills

Mark Nash Reports:

A quick spot check of the camera this morning has little Harlequin doing the same thing that most of the little ones at this age doing, trying to get out of the blustery winds, the direct sun and rain. Now that she is mobile and much older (and bigger) and can no longer be brooded by Quest given her increased size and body mass, the resident adults are not spending as much time on the nest ledge with her which is quite normal at this stage.

At this age, the hatchlings are able in part to better regulate their own body temperature, and as you can clearly see, she is very mobile and moving around on the nest ledge. She can move her position in and out of the sun, wind and rain allowing her to warm-up and cool down when she needs to. The thick heavy down acts both like an insulation from both the heat and the cold. Should there be any driving rain, you will see Quest back on the ledge sheltering her.

Both Quest and Kendal are although very close should any received threat present itself that would require their attention. Their parents in typical peregrine fashion, are roosting in a place that offers them a direct line of sight to the nest ledge, and as they have demonstrated on more than enough occasions, can get to the nest in seconds!!

You can now see Harlequins juvenile flight feathers clearly peeking out from beneath her thick down and you should almost notice a visible change on a daily basis as they continue to grow longer.

A huge thank you to Ann who is back from holidays and attended the Son Mills nest site this afternoon and send in soem great shots that she was able to take during her visit. Great shots indeed!
Stay tuned……

!!! Frustrating day indeed, but all five grins in our view by the end of the day!

June 25, 2011 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages

Mark Nash Reports:

Saturday june 25th - 2011
Its started with one of those days that you eat adrenaline for breakfast as my arrival this morning was met with only one fledgling and only one adult in view. The little fledgling named “Jet” was still on the upper concrete ledges where he had fallen (or been pushed) from the nest ledge yesterday, but the other two juveniles were no where to be found.

After more than 25 laps on foot around the nest building and a marathon walk throughout the commercial district to the east, south, and west checking every roof top and leading edge over the next five hours, I must admit that I felt defeated and at a loss as to where the other two juveniles were.

By 2pm, finally Rhiannon surfaced from the bowls of nest ledge up to the rim and in my view. OK, two hatchlings in view at the same time, but still no Striker, the first fledgling to take flights yesterday that had spent most of his day on the east side of the building on an 11th floor ledge.

By late in the afternoon Kathy and family arrived with reinforcements that helped out with a walkabout and search the grounds again, sadly with no luck of sighting striker..

Throughout the day, the resident adult female - (Linn) was on site most of the day in my view and brought in several little food packages to Jet in between the bursts of rain. Sadly, she gave absolutely no indication or hint as to where her kids were all day,, other than the obvious, she was not leaving the site and on guard all day long. With the resident adult male absent, I was convinced that Striker has most certainly flown off before my arrival this morning, and Reuben was out on his position watching him.

By 3pm, and just as Kathy and family were about to depart, Striker finally popped up into our sight from the back of the same ledge on the west side where Rhiannon had been visible on all day!

By 4 pm, Marion finally arrived from the downtown Sheraton fledge watch and spent the balance of the day and evening with me until we closed the watch off.

By 7:30pm, Reuben- (the resident adult male) finally arrived on site and in our view that allowed Linn an opportunity to leave her guarding posts and went out to get more food for the kids.

Over the next two plus hours, Linn fed both Rhiannon in the nest twice with a very small package of food that was brought in to Jet, but Striker did not get food today

The constant gusty winds, heavy overcast and bursts of rain really made for a crappy fledge watch and seemingly has kept everyone holding tight on the ledges for most of the day. By 10pm, with all five grins in our view, we closed the watch for the day and departed for home.

Stay tuned………..