June 08, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
The drive to the site was the longest I have ever taken anywhere. I was so excited to see how the new peregrine family was doing and it seemed to take forever to get there! I arrived just after 6:00pm and met up with Mark Nash from the CPF who had been there since 3PM to do the foster. What a wonderful sight to behold. Two very elated parents were attending to their three new chicks. The resident adult female was all over the site ( get more food, get that gull, watch the babies, more food!). She tended to the chicks every demand and watched their every move. The resident adult male was busily hunting non-stop to keep up with the new family demands bringing in 4 meals, one as large as a pigeon, over the next three hours. Both of the adults did such an amazing job.
The juveniles were equally excited about their new home. They spent time exploring both the nest tray and the ledge, often running along up to their new parents. Playtime was also on the bill for this evening as the chicks took turns inverting their heads at one another and pouncing on any inanimate object they could find. One of the juveniles ( I’ll bet it was Apollo the little male!) discovered that the ledge actually continues around the side of the building. He didn’t get more than a couple of steps down the southern ledge before Mom flew over and herded him back to the tray vocalizing at him the whole way back. By nightfall, all three chicks had incredibly full crops and after a bit of direction from Mom, headed off into the nest tray for bed.
Congratulations to dad Hurricane and mom O’Connor for a job well done. A huge success and certainly now one of my fondest peregrine memories!
Posted on June 10, 2009 5:04 pm
June 10, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Apologies for the lack of updates but it has been crazy around here! All three young ones have now fledged, before I give you the details let me just tell you their names as we seem to have omitted that little detail.
The female is named Elena, the two males are Perry and Mackenzie! It was Mackenzie who spent a few days in the tree in a backyard with crows, blue jays and squirrels who seemed to be put out by his presence! As Bayley mentioned yesterday, he did make it back to the building but couldn’t make the flight up so he decided to jump down on a terrace and was rescued yesterday morning by Mark Nash. After a few hours he was put back on the rooftop and reunited with his family and last night he was back on the ledge with his brother and sister and enjoyed a good meal from mom!
When I arrived this morning at 7:00 am it was to have Diana greet me with the news that Elena had fledged earlier this morning. She had a difficult time maintaining her height and eventually came to ground near the parking ramp and fortunately Diana was here to rescue her before any vehicles came in! She is now resting comfortably in a cool environment and will be reunited with her family later this evening.
Perry is our superstar flier! He fledged day before yesterday and from the get go has stayed up high. He even managed to land on top of the web cam on his first day out which earned him many accolades from Bruce! It is quite a feat and one that is usually not achieved until the young have more flying experience.
About a half hour ago I went out to check on the family and could hear a youngster screaming..but with joy..and looked up and Perry and mom were flying together and she was teaching him to glide! What a sight and always my favorite part when you practically hear them laughing with glee as they discover the thrill of being a falcon! He then flew back to the ledge and landed by Mackenzie who I think has decided he’s had enough adventure to last him for now and has chosen to enjoy the view and being home for the day!
Posted on June 10, 2009 2:11 pm
June 10, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
We are going to kick of the official start of the 2009 Fledge Watch and looking forward to another successful year. Your hatchlings are warming up to take their first flights and Marion and I will be on site this year as the official fledge watch coordinators. We look forward to seeing you all again this year and welcome your support and assistance to help out with the fledge watch. Everything should be set up and ready to go by 10am on Saturday morning June 13th and hope to see you all again this year.
Posted on June 10, 2009 10:32 am
June 09, 2009 - Ottawa - Delta Ottawa City Centre
CPF Volunteer Reports:
What a rainy, cold day! Breakfast was served around 7:30 by Connor. Most of the day was quiet. I arrived around 4 this time and shortly after we saw the crown of a fuzzy head near the corner! In spite of getting my scope set up, we only saw adults after that. That is until nearly 7:30. Of course, I was inside when the sighting happened, but the fuzzy crown was seen again, nearly beside the 3rd column……… Diana flew over there and probably made it move back inside as it wasn’t seen again this evening. Diana did bring food earlier. When we left Connor had been on the antenna of the Carlysle Building and Diana had been on the southwest corner of Tower A, but she moved just before we left, out of sight somewhere. At least it wasn’t raining anymore.
Cheers, Eve
Posted on June 10, 2009 9:49 am
June 09, 2009 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
After a first flight yesterday afternoon at 4:20p.m. and ending up on the north facing Hilton. Stormin was indicated as missing early this morning.
Heavy thunder storms rolled through the Toronto Area last night and this may have cause Stormin to seek cover. Last seen on the Hilton last night at 9:15pm. An extensive search by Jan, Zoe and myself of all roof tops, ledges, and the Keg. We’ll have to try again tomorrow.
The remaining siblings are very active on the ledge. Lots of flapping and running. This evening I saw an adult run off a gull in the area between the Fours Seasons Performing Arts Centre and the north side of the Hilton. Although checked numerous times, I tried again. Back up to the higher elevations to take a look a the roof of Arts Centre and no luck. I took this time to check on the others and all three were accounted for.
Back to street level. An adult did take off and headed due north and up towards the Court House and past. Hmmm, interesting, into the “others’ territory.
More searching of trees along University Ave and every glass balcony I could see. Still nothing. Again, the adult was taking a run at a gull in the same area at 8:30p.m. Back up to the upper levels to check this out. Nothing again. This time when checking on the remaining juveniles, I could only see two. Nestled and snuggled for the night. The third could be in the pile, but was not clearly seen. I closed for the night at 9:15 p.m.
Posted on June 9, 2009 10:53 pm
June 09, 2009 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
This afternoon, while hanging around during a boring watch, Cirrus took off screaming at about 3:30pm. What was entering her “No Fly Zone” this time? My first thought was another Turkey Vulture, but to our surprise, it was an adult Bald Eagle. The chase took place directly over our heads. As Barry said “that was worth the price of admission”!!
Also, below is a photo of “How We Look Today”. The daily change is amazing. The wing flapping has started, but it is still inside the next box. Thank goodness.
Posted on June 9, 2009 9:20 pm
June 09, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Baylie Kastner Reports:
Mackenzie flew from his perch on a tree and ended up on the trellis walk of the condo. He was spotted by Cathy who called Bruce who called me and I went to investigate. This happened just before 8 am.
Posted on June 9, 2009 5:12 pm
June 09, 2009 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Kathy Smith Reports:
Was able to get on the roof of the Yellow Pages building to check on nesting progress. There was only one egg and no adults in sight. After exploring the west to south side of the roof, mom showed up. She didn’t seem overly aggressive but I didn’t stay around long enough to give her a chance. From the ground, I watched her activity. She seem to be circuling the building and roosted on the top peek. She then flew off to the south and I was not able to spot her after that. She never returned to the nest site during that half hour.
Kathy
Posted on June 9, 2009 4:53 pm
June 09, 2009 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Marion Nash Reports:
Kathy went to Yellow Pages site today to see if we have had any more eggs or perhaps a hatch but no luck. There is only 1 egg left and the adults were not incubating. She checked several of the other ledges to make sur she had not moved yet again but nothing more was seen until she got to the south side when the female appeared and started stooping and yelling so they left the roof to watch from below to see if the male shows up and where and on what ledge she settles.
Posted on June 9, 2009 4:41 pm
June 09, 2009 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
We were trying to imagine what it is like when a chick takes it’s first flight.
The pictures below are the only world our chicks have ever seen from their nest ledge. This is their window on the world. They don’t know what is around the corner or behind the back of their nest. Imagine when they fly off the ledge and into the big world and realize there is a river a huge bridge behind them WOW!!! We are counting the days till the try to fly
Posted on June 9, 2009 3:59 pm
