June 19, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Linda Cherriere Reports:
Barry and I arrived sometime before noon hour and were not sure if both juv’s were present. I’d see one then see maybe another in a different location but not both at the same time. So I had a very uneasy feeling for the next few hours until later in the day when Mom caught a pigeon and took it up to the playpen. A Juv popped up and then I checked on the other spot where I new Dianna flew to and she was still there. Yyyyyeeeeeeeeeess! Both accounted for. We left around seven and there wasn’t much flying going on. Perhaps the higher temperature had something to do with it. An Osprey flew by on the lakeside and got dive bombed shortly after we arrived this morning.
Posted on June 20, 2010 9:22 pm
June 20, 2010 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
This morning, one juvie was seen on the south peak of # 1Toronto St.
The remainder of the day little action was seen. Malik must be venturing to new buildings and a little further away, no or little activity is seen during the day. The heat also must be keeping them out of view.
This evening, viewing from Front St, sightings of peregrines at various times had, an adult on the east side Scotia Tower, one was seen landing on CIBC, another time had a peregrine on different spots on the east side of One King St. Don’t know if I was seeing both adults and juvies, or adults from King St and the Sheraton.
From Leader Lane, one adult on Dundee Place, while Zera was on the south corner of the nest building. Shortly after Paul departed, the second juvenile came into view. It appeared to have come off of the press building area and over to the King Edward Hotel, while the adult had moved from Dundee Place over the north corner of the nest building and very vocal juvenile had not moved off it’s perch on the south corner of the nest building.
That’s good news, two juvies and one adult at 8p.m.
Also, the Kestrals must be fledging at this time, lots of “keet, keet, keet” in the neighbourhood of Front St
Posted on June 20, 2010 8:46 pm
June 20, 2010 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
A fledge watcher’s worst nightmare. Upon my arrival this morning, there were absolutely no birds in sight including the absence of both resident adults. After walking around the four MEC properties for over 2 hours searching every nook and cranny, every parking lot, and all of the surrounding roadways, nothing was found! Finally around 11AM, the resident adult female flew in from the south and landed on the nest box landing platform. She stopped, looked down into the ledge below the nest box and flew off to the north. Nothing in the nest box itself, but something was obviously noticed below as that was the reason she flew over in the first place,,, to check on someone!
By 11:30am, Marion and Kathy arrived to help in the search. Moments afer their arrival, one juvenile finally popped up from the ledge below the nest box, flapped its wings, rushed along the upper ledge to the corner of the nest ledge and dropped down again out of our sight. Neither Craig or Joe has been sighted since their release back to the nest building roof top last night.
After a two plus search of all parking lots, parking ramps and the surrounding roadways and buildings, trees, and the creek on both sides of Robert Spec parkway, not even a single resident bird of any kind was kind enough to help me with warning or alarm calls that would have tipped me off of a downed fledgling. So the wait continues in the hope that mom or dad will give us some help as to where the fledglings may have grounded themselves.
Stay tuned………
Posted on June 20, 2010 11:53 am
June 19, 2010 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
For the most parts, an uneventful evening with the exception of the blustery winds that never let up, right up until darkness. At the close of my shift, the last male “Wade” was still visible on the nest box and his sister “Xuan” - (pronounced Soon) had disappeared into the darkened nest box.
Their falcon follies started later in the evening than usual with Wade running up and down the nest ledge flapping and charging his sister as he threatening to fly on more than a dozen occasions, even as darkness set in. Finally at 9:40pm he finally settled down and allowed me a few stress free moments
Finished the watch at 9:50pm when it was too dark to the nest ledge. Back into the building and one final check of the two boys “Craig and Joe” prior to their release back to the roof of the nest building. A final quick examination and a little water for both juveniles to assist in their re-hydration and it was back to the roof top of the nest building for their release. While I must admit, I was the only one that really needed the re-hydration as the hot humid past 14 hours in the streets had me feeling like a clammy old rag. The cool air conditioned environment where the two boys had been resting in their rescue carriers was far from uncomfortable! Oh my goodness, it was nice to finally get into some cool air!!
Utilization of the cover of darkness for their release made it much easier to get two birds back to the roof without causing them a panic flight at my presence during the release, and for the most parts all when well. Well at least for the birds.
I can’t say that everything went just exactly as I visioned it, as trying to release both birds at precisely the same time (while ensuring that both birds were removed from the rescue carriers exactly at the same time was easy), but the job got done.
(Funny how they fuss going into the rescue carriers in the first place, and fight like heck to stay in the rescue carriers, refusing to come out! After sustaining ripped and torn pants and numerous punctures to both of my legs, during this release, I can tell you that both birds have plenty of fight and lots of energy!
As I quickly departed the roof area and headed for the roof hatch to make my exit, both juveniles seemed very satisfied that they had been successful in “kicking my butt” (which they did), my final observation of them before closing the hatch had them standing side by side mantling and hissing at me like a couple of vipers with looks that could kill. I know that I won’t be on their Christmas card list this winter! I prey that we won’t meet again anytime too soon!
Stay tuned………..
Posted on June 20, 2010 8:30 am
June 19, 2010 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
The youngsters tonight were engaging each other in locked talon swing arounds. The wind was right so we had some excellant aerial displays. 30 or 40 feet over head and all around JUST above tree top
I want to say thank you to our watch team whom without I can honestly say this report would be shy a couple of Falcons.
The displays are great late afternoon and evening. Several talon to talon aerial hand offs of food. You can see the youngsters grow in maturity and confidence every day. Voltaire the female really layed down the law tonight and clamped down on the no fly zone. She climbed several times right past a gull and stooped and chased and drove the gull off. Thank you to all the volunteers who came to meet under the Bridge where this first started 3 Years ago. I have many pictures to post and I will try to do so.
I have to post from my shop to send some other photos from some guests. You’ll enjoy them I’m sure.
This link will help with some shots on Jerry’s site site. http://www.pbase.com/gerald_f_peltier/peregrine_falcon
When I was worried about whether I was on the numbers with the birth date of the first hatch Jerry came down and did some facial shots that we could compare with some facial aging guides and put my mind at ease. Special thanks from the watch team Jerry thank you again for your help.
Dennis Patrick
Windsor Watch Team
Posted on June 20, 2010 12:25 am
June 19, 2010 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Frank Butson Reports:
Finally 2 of our 3 boys took flight. We are sure one was Blackberry. He flew first as Kathy and I watched. He sailed over the condo on Aberfoyle and went to the roof of One Lomonde. From there he made a good flight gaining altitude landing on the window ledge of the appartment across the road. From there to the rooftop of Kingsway on the Park. From there to the 2nd tower of the Sunlife Centre(over the section where the nestledge is!). Finally Blackberry made a brilliant flight which Kathy witnessed,where he made it back to the nestledge. This is a benchmark at watches as getting back to the nestledge,shows a controlled flight.
The 2nd fledge we arent entirely sure who it is. Kathy thinks it was Mercedes. He flew well and ended up ontop of the Sunlife Centre. He was on the roof ledge walking along,when a gust of wind took him off. He flew well,but his landing was not so good. He missed 3 attempts to land before coming to rest on a balcony. He is safe for the night there. If he remains there in the morning we will attempt a rescue. The 2 young on the ledge were fed and we left around 930pm. Thanks to all our helpers today,including Baylie,Terry and Elizabeth Shiels ,Sandra and Bob and security at Kingsway On The Park.
Posted on June 20, 2010 12:20 am
June 19, 2010 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
A very quiet day today with just a little rain this morning, and then blistering hot, clear sky and hot and humid. Upon my arrival, the juveniles were actually on the top of the nest box lounging around without a care in the world. Then around 1:30pm, mom came in to the nest ledge and straight into the nest box. If I hadn’t had my eyes fixed onto the nest box at that very moment, I would have missed her for sure. Moments later, the juveniles all jumped down onto the nest box landing platform and entered the nest box. A minute later, mom appeared with the food that she had flown in with and I watched her feed each of the juveniles beak to beak.. A very tender moment indeed. Then I watched her consume the balance of the huge white pigeon that she had been feeding her hatchlings.
At around 3pm, little “Craig” took his first flight. Sadly, with the high winds, he was carried across the street and slammed into the glass about half way up MEC 2, and fluttered down the glass to the side walk area. I was able to quickly scoop him up while he lay dazed on the concrete. Seconds later, he was awake and very alert, with no signs of any serious injuries, just stunned after his impact. A quickly examination for broken bones and serious trauma, and he was put into the rescue carrier for a quick hold over to cool down and de-stress. He will be released back to the nest building if he checks out OK after his second examination.
Stay tuned….. See attached photos.
Posted on June 19, 2010 4:24 pm
June 18, 2010 - All Reports
Frank Butson Reports:
Once again our 3 boys stayed put on the ledge without flying. Several times they clung perilously to the edge of the ledge,flapping,but just couldnt committ to that last step and leave go. Mom turned the area into a no fly zone,keeping the airspace clear for take-off. Over the course of the afternoon,she took a serious run grabbing a Ring-billed Gull before letting go,diving at and hitting at least 4 times a passing Turkey Vulture and most amazingly,a Great Blue Heron was seen passing by,by Ian,Marion and I,only to be attacked by Angel. When she got close the Great Blue Heron realized it was in trouble and went into a quick,steep dive itself,hit once by Angel over the intersection of Aberfoyle and Bloor. The Great Blue Heron resembled a “lawn dart” as it dove. None of us had ever seen such a dive! Kathy,Marion and I left around 830pm,after a feeding took place after 8pm,repeating the fledge watchers lament..tomorrow for sure they fly! With bad weather coming,we may be speaking those words again Saturday night?
Posted on June 19, 2010 5:11 am
June 18, 2010 - Mississauga - Holcim
Mark Nash Reports:
What a great day indeed!!With over 50 people assembled to witness the event, 4 very healthy hatchlings were removed from the nest ledge today, banded, sexed, weighed and returned to their parents in good time.
With a huge thank you to Barb, Dave Armando and all of the staff at Holcim, along with a big thank you to Mark Heaton from the OMNR and all of the helpers, the young baby hatchlings were banded and returned to their parents.
A great big thanks to John and Brian, the rock climbers who repelled down from the upper roof of the superstructure down to the nest ledge level, safely scooped up the hatchlings and made it possible for us to band the chicks.
The new resident adult peregrine parents were both on the scene to “supervise” the extraction of the hatchlings. Poor John Miller was once again the “villain” that had to stay on the nest ledge until after the banding to distract the resident parents while their hatchlings were being banded.
A great day in all, and FOUR very healthy chicks (and Holcim’s newest family members)!!
While the hatchlings were a little younger than we had aged them at via the earlier photo that was sent into us to get an age on them, at least this year we were able to band them before it was too late because of their advanced age as last year.
Three males, and one female, named:
Armando, 22 days old, 630 grams
Clarkson ll, 23 days old, 710 grams
Eva, 24 days old, 785 grams,
Holcim, 19 days old, 460 grams
Posted on June 18, 2010 11:36 pm
June 18, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
When we arrived around 9AM, we were able to locate Brant sitting tall on the “Man Cave” otherwise known as the Old Nest Ledge. Dad has obviously taught him well. We searched everywhere for Diana and were unable to find her. So we just waited her out. Barry and Linda Cherriere arrived a short time later and Barry focused his scope on the “Man Cave” watching Brant. A short time later, a second head appeared from down in the Old Nest Ledge and all of a sudden the “Man Cave” became the “Co-Ed Cave” as Brant and Diana hung our there for most of the day. Dad took one of the juveniles so high this afternoon that you almost needed binoculars to see them. This evening, there was a lot of flying and talon touching going on. All seems to be well. Brant and Diana are flying well and the landings are amazing. Hopefully, we will see more lessons in the next few day.
Posted on June 18, 2010 10:06 pm
