Canadian Peregrine Foundation

!!! Spring Has Arrived!!

March 19, 2010 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Spring is a busy time for all of us at the Canadian Peregrine Foundation as the birds are returning from the south and look to set up shop.  I stopped by the William Osler site today just after 5:00pm and was greeted with the sounds of peregrines in love.  The female flew to the northeast corner of the building and sat calling while the male displayed his flight prowess for her.  Within seconds of his display ending, he landed beside her and copulated with her.  It is unclear whether this pair is the same male and female from last year as the light was poor and bands were not apparent.  One thing is sure though, we have a pair looking to raise a family here. 

After leaving the corner of the building, the female flew out front the east side of the hospital and dipped straight into the nest tray where she talked up a storm.  The male was not far behind.  Initially he landed on the “H” on the east side, all the while responding to her calls with e-chups of his own, until he could no longer contain himself and left his perch to join her at the edge of the tray.  We look forward to seeing more of this pair and patiently await the arrival of eggs!!

Two adults on site, lots of courtship happening, no eggs as yet!

March 24, 2010 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Mark Nash Reports:

I had an opportunity to spend a few hours at the William Osler nest site today and watched the two adults very active on the nest ledge, on and off the nest tray itself and lots of interaction with each other. Although I did not see any mating, both adults very vocal and spent allot of time in behind the Hospital sign on the nest tray. With a huge thank you to security, I was able to peak through out peep-hole in behind the nest tray and was able to get a good look at the nest tray itself. No eggs as yet.
Stay tuned,,,,

Archer Returns to Rochester, NY

March 21, 2010 - New York - Rochester

Carol Phillips Reports:

After an unsuccessful nesting year in 2009, I’m happy to report that  Archer has returned from his migration.  Beauty, the new resident female remained in Rochester through the Winter.

Watchers witnessed the return of Archer on Sunday morning.  Since then, they have been seen inside the new nest box on the Times Square Bldg, bowing and renewing their bonds.

We are hopeful that there will be young fledglings in Rochester in 2010.

Incubation Has Begun

March 24, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

We spent a little time at the Lift Bridge today.  One adult was enjoying a meal on the face of the Hamilton Tower and the other was nowhere to be seen.  We went down the road by the washrooms and with the scope were able to see that one adult was in the nest box.  After a while “she” got up and moved around and appeared to be re-arranging the eggs.  “She” stood with her back to the outside and was mantling what I assume are eggs.  We were hoping to see a shift change, but “she” settled down again and all you could see were the tips of her wing feathers above the edge of the box.

 ”She” assuming it was the female.  We were not able to identify either bird.

Niagara Falls - Peregrines Active again on the Canadian Side, Nesting activity observed!!

March 24, 2010 - Niagara Falls

CPF Postmaster Reports:

With a huge thank you from Connie from the New York State Department of Conservation and one of her dedicated observers (John), we have received some great news about the Niagara peregrines. He has just received news from her watchers that there is definitely peregrine nesting activity at the old Ontario Hydro generation plant on the Canadian side of the gorge. The observation reports sent into Connie and later forwarded to the CPF reads:

“I just wanted to drop you an e-mail about today’s sighting. I saw the female peregrine in the old scrap site at the old Canadian power plant. She sat at the edge of the box for quite some time and later went inside and seemed to lay down or something and then flew off. The male was also seen on top of the power plant. Both birds were seen flying high above the buildings together getting real close at times. I’m getting a new camera body this week so ill be looking for these birds a bit more this year, I always manage something interesting with these birds”.
John

Fingers crossed that the pair will be successful in producing a new clutch of hatchlings again this year. Stay tuned………

!!! First Egg at Toronto Sheraton Centre Hotel

March 23, 2010 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

Linda Woods Reports:

Many thanks to the Folks of Rochester Falcon Forum for the quick email this morning. They were happy to report that in the wee hours of the morning, Rhea Mae put down her first egg of the 2010 nesting season.

I had been watching the webcam last evening and Rhea had been spending many nights sitting at the nest ledge. But last night she was on the nest tray. After dark she climbed into the tray and layed down. This morning, egg # 1!

Many thanks to everyone who emailed me and gave me the heads up.

Toronto’s First egg!

March 23, 2010 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre

CPF Postmaster Reports:

With mach thanks to Eileen we have a photo of the first egg of the season at the Toronto Sheraton nest site.
Rhea Mae was on the nest tray late last night…their first egg is there this morning!
Eileen

!!! London nest site has activity with a new male on territory!

March 16, 2010 - London - TD Tower

CPF Postmaster Reports:

We have received some good news from Lara that the downtown London nest site has a new male on territory and he appears to be courting the resident female! After several years of inactivity, things are looking good as it appears that the territorial female has finally attracted an available male.

Both birds were observed circling the tower and one landing at the nest ledge with what could have been a pigeon and feathers raining down shortly after. Clouds of feathers were also observed drifting off the Libro building on York St. the previous week, but the peregrine could not be seen at this time.

Lara

Peregrine Hunting

March 16, 2010 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Linda Woods Reports:

Tuesday noon hour I found myself at Yonge and Eglinton. I observed one peregrine attempting breakfast over the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton. It broke off the half hearted attempt to chase down the pigeon and flew to the north east  side of 22oo Yonge st., over looking the old TTC bus bay on the south east corner of Yonge and Eglinton.

!!! What is going on?!

March 16, 2010 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre

Kathy Reports:

Well I”m not sure!  The past few weeks have seen our male on site sporadically and many times our female has been standing around in the rain waiting for him.  I have observed mating and food transfers which are all good signs.

Today was different.  When I arrived at the site, I first saw a falcon on the corner of the building rustling up the pigeons and on first glance thought it was Angel.  However as I approached I distinctly heard the sounds of 2 falcons communicating with each other.  Angel was in the nestbox which I can’t see into from the ground and unfortunately we have no way of viewing inside until the web cam goes live.

I can tell you that she spent most of the day in there and the male brought her food and came to check on her periodically.  This would normally be the around time that she would lay her first egg as she is usually first in the city.  However given our male is doing double duty I am not sure if that will be the case this year but I remain cautiously optomistic.