Here are the long awaited pictures of the banding crew and the peregrines.
Don’t go away lots more to follow.
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If you are in the Windsor area and know about computers and pictures and want to be on the CPF volunteer team to help us post many more pictures please email us at
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Thanks
Dennis
June 14th - 2011
I watched the peregrines this evening for about two hours.
The mother flew off at one point and a few minutes later flew back to the Rio-Can south face, landed on one of the window ledges and then flew to the level directly below the nest level but on the north face. She ate there and although she was joined by the male she did not share with him. Once she had satisfied her hunger she picked up the remains and flew onto the nest ledge where she fed all three youngsters. She took about 25 minutes to do so and then left. The youngest of the three was right there demanding his share of the pigeon. He is an aggressive little youngster but being the youngest I guess he has to be.
After the mother left the ledge there was some flying back and about by both adults until the male flew south of the condos and disappeared from view.
Some long minutes later he returned with what looked like a european starling. He landed on the south face of the Rio-Can bulding and then flew to roof on the west face where he plucked and ate his fill. Then came the surprise. He flew to the nest ledge with remnants of the carcase in his talons and hobbled to the widow side of the ledge (out of my view). I have no idea whether he fed the youngsters, himself, or just left what he had brought to ledge. After some minutes the female flew to the Rio-Can south face. A few minutes after that the male left the ledge and flew to the southwest corner where he spent time cleaning his feet and his beak. Then he flew to the Rio-Can building south face. One of the youngsters was up again near edge of the ledge and that is how I left them.
I don’t know if anyone has seen the male take food onto the nest ledge before but this is a first time for me.
Cheers
Lyn
When I arrived on site this morning, I was very surprised to find Jupiter down very low on the second level retaining wall. She looked a bit shocked herself as she was flying so well the past few days. We are spot checking on her to ensure she stays safe while she ponders her next move. We know she can fly well and that she can use the wind to her advantage and there is quite a good one today so hopefully once she’s over the shock of having fallen from grace she can make her way back home.
June 20th - 2011
I think the Canada Square youngsters are ready to fly - well one perhaps is.
I do not go out until the sun has moved way over to the west so that I am in shade when observing.
Today the mother flew onto the nest ledge with food and off again immediately taken food with her. On another couple of occasions she flew onto the ledge without food and off immediately. The male did the same thing once, onto the ledge and off. He also flew by the nest a couple of times. This is *new* behaviour that I am seeing and I don’t think it is just time of day stuff, between 6pm and 9pm.
The youngsters were fed by the mother and much later on the male took his leftovers onto the ledge and left them. He did not feed the youngsters.
One youngster really revved up his wing exercises and is now facing outward and standing on the ledge whilst doing this. Once this evening I thought he would fly but thank heavens he did not.
Cheers
Lyn
Monday, June 20, 2011 — 7:40 a.m.
Timing in life is everything and in my experience falcon watching is often pure luck! I was walking up Lyon Street towards the Delta Ottawa City Centre this morning in the hopes of catching a glimpse of our falcon family. I searched every rooftop including the Delta Ottawa rooftop and came up empty-handed. As I was crossing the street I looked up just in time to see Connor and Diana head back from the south/east of the city above Constitution Square. One falcon briefly landed on the SW corner of the Delta Ottawa rooftop and then headed inside the nest area. The other adult landed inside the rooftop and settled on the ledge above the third window from the SW corner. I could hear strong vocalizing coming from above. I did not see any food in their talons when they flew unto the rooftop and they both remained at their posts when I left a few minutes later.
Take care and keep smiling!
Ciao,
N. McKenna
June 18th - 2011
Patience paid off today. After not seeing Milton or Truss Thursday, Friday started off the same however after waiting a bit longer Truss finally arrived and with food. She flew to the nest, where Milton soon exited. For 15 minutes Truss was out of sight at the nest as Milton stood by. Then she flew off, with what was left with her food. The suggests that she is consuming her food at the nest. After discarding her leftovers, she returned to Milton and the two perched watching some brave gulls circling and calling before Milton took off and put an end to that. Once Milton left, Truss returned to the nest.
June 15th - 2011
Baylie sends us some great close-up shots of the kids today. Enjoy!
Friday, June 17, 2011 — 12:15 p.m.
I have not had the pleasure of catching a glimpse of Connor or Diana today but I did look up in time to see a large blue heron as it flew right above Lyon Street. It was heading towards the Ottawa River. A variety of birds were taking advantage of the air currents and could be observed floating above the Supreme Court of Canada and beyond towards the Ottawa River on this breezy yet humid afternoon.
Take care and keep smiling!
Ciao,
N. McKenna
Thursday, June 16, 2011 — 4:30 p.m.
Hello everyone, It is a sunny and breezy afternoon in Ottawa. I look up towards the Delta Ottawa City Centre and see an adult falcon perched a foot from the NE corner of the hotel. It is looking towards the south of the city and cuts quite a regal figure high atop its urban cliff.
Take care and keep smiling!
Ciao,
N. McKenna
June 16th - 2011
I was up at the Bridge today and Lady Gaga Was very active flapping and jumping around.. Spitfire was walking around a bit… both very vocal…
Collette Denkers
