Canadian Peregrine Foundation

!!! Yankee located nesting in Buffalo NY at the University. 1st egg!!

March 26, 2010 - Niagara Falls

CPF Postmaster Reports:

We have received good news indeed from Connie at the DEC in Buffalo New York that an adult male peregrine has been identified by his Black 42 over Black Y. We have been able to confirm that the peregrine was produced in 2008 at Niagara Falls Canada in the old Ontario Power Generaton plant in the gorge at Niagara falls. Yankee wa he was named was actually named by Connie herself as she attended the banding that year of the Niagara Falls hatchlings. “Yankee” as he was named, was banded on June 10th / 2008 at approx. 22 days old, weighing 575 grams.
Attached is a good photo of Yankee and Connie’s report:
Here’s a photo of him sitting on his first egg. He is at the University of Buffalo, mated with a banded female “BB” — she was there last year, for her first time, with an unbanded male we named Smokey. They established a territory on the Mackay Tower at the UB Operations plant (this is really a smoke tower with a glorified and fancy exterior which provided lots of ledges. She established herself with Smokey in July 08…they maintained that territory all that summer and fall and in January 09, UB installed a nest box under DEC advisement. Smokey and BB raised their chicks, 3 males and 1 female, all successfully, and maintained the territory again, all through fall and winter. However, when UB installed the nest cam on Friday the 19th, we noticed the male was banded. Same Female, BB, but now a banded male. So, that is his story. You are looking at a recent picture of him snagged from the cam, on his first egg, which was laid yesterday the 25th. We don’t know what happened to SMokey.

!!! Lots of nest box activity, but no eggs as yet.

March 29, 2010 - Mississauga - Executive Centre

CPF Postmaster Reports:

While the adult peregrines have been very active in the nest box this past week, it might appear that the territorial squabbling going on between two adult females on site has delayed pair bonding and courtship activities with the male. We’re not quite sure who is on territory at this momment, but it appears that the territorial dispute has finally yeilded a victor, as evident by yesterdays observations. There are only two adults on site now, (one adult male and one adult female). Hopefully, the pair (who ever they are), can now get down to some pair bonding and serious courtship activities.

!!! Photo of the 3 eggs and both adults on the ledge.

March 28, 2010 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

CPF Postmaster Reports:

With a big thank you to Eileen, a quick snap shot of the eggs eggs in the nest tray and both adults were caught on the nest ledge.

!!! 3 EGGS!

March 28, 2010 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

Linda Woods Reports:

An extended visit to the Sheraton nest ledge confirmed the band numbers of the adults, Black on Black, 29 over H, for Tiago and  Black on Red, P over T, for Rhea Mae.

And long after my camera battery gave out on the “stand-by” mode, Tiago finally moved off the eggs to reveal 3 eggs. Rhea Mae was quick to return to her time incubating. Tiago didn’t waste anytime leaving the nest ledge. Just like his dad.

!!! Female still on site

March 26, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

CPF Volunteer Reports:

This report comes from a local resident. An adult female peregrine has been seen on the south side louvered ledges of Mt.Sinai hospital on several occasions, including this morning. Last week it was reported that an adult peregrine was sitting on  one of the east facing ledges of the hospital.

No report at this time of a second peregrine in the same area.

!!! No Sign of Eggs Yet!

March 26, 2010 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre

Kathy Reports:

While early last week it looked like our resident pair were about to take the next step in their courtship..things abruptly came to a halt suddenly mid week.  Suddenly here was barely any sign of either falcon and if they were sighted, it was only the female usually on her own waiting for her mate.  It was eerily quiet and having had reports in the area of another male and multiple falcon sightings we were a bit concerned.

On Wednesday of this week Frank and I ascended to a nearby building in order to try and get a look in the nest box as given the prior behaviour we thought surely there might be one egg.   It was a beautiful day and although we couldnt’ see directly into the nestbox due to the high edges - it was obvious there weren’t any eggs as no one arrived for at least an hour.  We would have expected someone to be in the vicinity in case of an intruder but we were met with silence.  After awhile Jack did show up and he did call for his mate and then proceeded to stare at us staring at him and then decided we weren’t that interesting so off he went.  From photos and coordinating with the TR site we were able to determine it was indeed Jack we were staring at that day so that was a relief.

The female showed up once we had descended to the ground so at least we knew both were still in the area.  It’s quite possible that the recent northward migration brought new falcons into the area and perhaps they were occupied with giving them directions elsewhere for a few days.

The past two days both male and female have been onsite and today courtship seems to have resumed as if the past several days never happened.  I witnessed some mating, flying together, the male brought food in for the female and both were in the nestbox several times chupping up a storm.  And Jack even found time to visit his ‘other’ wife.  

It is impossible to determine when or if we will see eggs given he is the male at both sites, sometimes tiercels can do this successfully and other times not so we will continue to monitor both locations and hope for the best.

!!! Niagara Fall Pefa’s did in fact winter over here. No migration!

January 19, 2010 - Niagara Falls

CPF Postmaster Reports:

With a big thank you to Verinica from Lowbanks Ontario, we have received her observation and photo of the Niagara Peregrines on territory. Photos taken Jan. 2010

I was staying at the Fallsview Casino last Tuesday, January 19th when I woke up in the morning and opened the curtains this is what I saw out the window. Sitting on the ledge of the Hotel on the 28th Floor was this Peregrine Falcon. I understand that your organization is interested in hearing about/receiving pictures of the sightings. I have forwarded them to you.

Veronica - Lowbanks, ON

!!! First Egg confirmed!

March 26, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Mark Nash Reports:

We have received great news today confirming that there is one egg in the nest box and both adults are attending. The adult female spent much of her time today sitting tight on the single egg, likely due to the high winds and colder wind chill temps. Observations also reported that the adults were also involved in further courtship activities and copulation on the nest box ledge.
Stay tuned…hopefully more to come.

!!! King St must be on eggs

March 25, 2010 - Toronto - King Street

Linda Woods Reports:

King St nest must have eggs by now, although we cannot see them at this point in time. One adult has been observed in and around the nest area, but the second adult is not seen. Today I saw one adult on the King Edward Hotel vocalizing ( echupping) It appeared it had prey in it’s talons. I guess calling for the female.

I have seen on the web cam, an adult come into camera view and disappear. Good indication that there are eggs. We just have to wait till they start turning the eggs into the view of the camera to find out how many.

!!! Egg # 2 Thursday

March 25, 2010 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

Linda Woods Reports:

Egg # 2 arrived sometime Thursday and  Jan captured the image from the web cam and quickly sent it off to the awaiting fans.  Saturday, should be egg # 3

Thanks Jan!