June 06, 2009 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
You can see the huge diference in the chicks today. It looks like a flight training school up there with all the flapping going on. They are looking so grown up. Did your hear the Grand Parents tear in my eye “They grow up so quickly”!!
Great to see everyone coming down to the bridge to have a look. Come out and help spot while they fledge. Don’t think that you can’t help you can.
Look at these little faces!
Jerry sorry for the delay on posting. you won’t have to disown me after all!!! Great job
Dennis and Gwenster.
Posted on June 6, 2009 10:59 pm
May 30, 2009 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Sorry these pictures were taken on the 30th. of May. The next batch will show you the remarkable growth rate.
These pictures are in a larger format.
This is also when we knew we wouldn’t be able to band. The birds were too old and the risk of them jumping was too high.
Stay tuned for todays shots.
Dennis and Gwenster.
Posted on June 6, 2009 10:40 pm
June 06, 2009 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Update Mark Nash will be under the bridge on Sunday
MEETING UNDER THE BRIDGE FOR VOLUNTEERS SUNDAY @ 4:00.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT HOW LITTLE OR HOW MUCH TIME YOU CAN DEVOTE JUST BE THERE. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SUCCESS OF THIS FLEDGE!!!!!
Everything is moving so quickly we don’t have time to breath, The chicks are now huge and have lost 70% of their downie feathers. They are looking like adults and getting very dark. The growth and change at this point is absolutely phenomenally remarkable!
For all you folks who wanted to help out be there. Oh and don’t worry about how much or little you know Rome was built how? “One brick at a time”.
Dennis and Gwenster
Posted on June 6, 2009 3:27 pm
June 05, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Lots of excitement today but no fledges yet! Bruce and myself spent the day being quite entertained by our resident family today. Early morning saw alot of wing flapping by all three young on the ledge. One of the males was getting some good lift on the ledge and batting up the back of the wall so we thought for sure he was going to give flying a try today.
The parents did their best to try and entice one or more off the ledge by doing fly-bys and showing them flight paths they might want to take but no takers! At one point when it did look like the young male would take off, we suddenly hear the female alarm calling and circling the roof area frantically. The male then came rushing in and dropped off some food to keep them occupied and then he sat in front of them and joined in the alarm calling. Not sure what had them concerned however they obviously felt it was not the moment to have a young one in the air trying out his wings for the first time.
Dusk last night saw all three still on the ledge. We will see what tomorrow brings..
Posted on June 6, 2009 6:50 am
June 05, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Frank Butson Reports:
Its that time of year again,we expect the young Peregrine Falcons to soon take their first flights and we need YOUR help to keep an eye on them and potentially rescue them. CPF staff and volunteers,will be around Bloor and Eagle Rd,so please come by and join us. I am sure several people will be present Sunday,and I believe Saturday also. The watch lasts for about 10days to 2weeks. If U have some spare time please come out and help.
If your in the area,please keep your eyes peeled for young Peregrines that may have come to the ground and let us know!
Posted on June 5, 2009 8:36 pm
June 04, 2009 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
Posted on June 4, 2009 8:59 pm
June 04, 2009 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Linda Woods Reports:
A quick visit to reset the camera and I was able to capture this photo.
The only bird I was able to identify is “Links” also known as Sandy, is sitting 2nd from the right in the first image. The remainder of images were taken off the Oslercamera later this evening. It looks like food was delivered and they all rushed to have a share. They look very interested at eating on their own.
Posted on June 4, 2009 8:53 pm
June 04, 2009 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
Linda Woods Reports:
I decided that I might join a fellow volunteer in monitoring and observing the Mt.Sinai nesting site today. We were having a nice talk, discussing peregrine behaviour and the such. I noticed that the gulls were sounding off as they passed over head. I mentioned that the gulls do that around other peregrine nesting sites, so this might be of interest. We weren’t seeing much activity until a peregrine flew into view flying around the east side of Mt. Sinai, and then east towards the power plant stack . It set down on the very top rung of the north facing ladder. It began to preen and I found it curious that it sat with it’s back towards Mt.Sinai Hospital.
My friend and I continued to talk while periodically checking on the bird. We did not see it leave the stack. Next thing I saw was this bird about 4 feet away from me hovering at the side of the area on which we were observing. Too close for me and it quickly brought back memories of another encounter I had at the Sheraton nest site a view years ago. The only thing that came out of my mouth was “RUN !” As I ran toward the roof top exit, I momentarily forgot I was with someone else, but at this point and time and having previous experience with such an event, I could only think, “Out of my way, I’ll get the door for you” ( yup, that’s exactly what I was thinking ) and also forgetting all of our belongings out on the deck, including my camera. As we finally found a safe haven within the building, we could see the peregrine had set down on the corner of the deck area, probably 50 feet away. The gulls were not happy with this intruder and immediately began dive bombing the peregrine. A perfect opportunity to take a photo, leg bands in clear view. My thoughts now, were to send my friend out to get my camera , nevermind 
But I did get the band information.
Rewind to a few weeks ago, when spot checking this site. I found one of the adults on the west facing Bay St. condos. While looking at the bird, I got a chill down my back as it appeared the bird was looking directly down the barrels of my binoculars. Coincidence I convinced myself. There is no way that this bird is looking directly at me. So I told myself.
Today, I am now sure I was recognized, for this bird is none other than “Wind” from the Sheraton Hotel. The same bird that chased me at street level along Richmond Street and had me hiding behind decoy cows at the Steak House on Richmond Street.
A few passes by the gull and the peregrine moved off from her temporary perch and flew back to the smoke stack. At least now we knew where she was as my friend pulled out a tired old umbrella to cover her head as she retrieved our belongings from the deck area.
A most exciting morning. One my friend won’t forget soon forget.
Posted on June 4, 2009 8:23 pm
June 04, 2009 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
CPF Volunteer Reports:
I had been complaining for some time about not been able to get a very close
look at the falcons seen at Mt Sinai and wondered if I got higher powered
binoculars, it might make a difference. 10x 50’s I figured might allow me to see
more definition and maybe a leg band. etc..
Well, hold the Visa Grannie, today I got a very very close look and this time
“it was personal”!!!! Won’t need that bathroom break after all!!!
I had been at the viewing spot several times over the past 3-4 weeks since hearing that a pair of peregrines may have a nest on the East ledge of Mt Sinai. I agreed to have a gander whenever I had time and note behaviour.. Thus far I have seen only a single bird in one or 2 perches, mostly on ledges on the EAST side and presumably near the nest.. Last weekend I did see 2 birds but not in the nest they are presumed to occupy.
At 6;45 am today I began my watch. I saw nothing from 6-10 am. At time a friend joined me .. We chatted from a position inside a deck area and then a bird was seen flying over PMH and airborne. We followed it and kept an eye on the nest area as well
The bird flew eastward and overhead to the top of the physical plant tower on WALTON St. and sat there for some time. It seemed to be relaxed and preened itself , and perched with its back to the nest site. We approached the edge of the viewing area and after a lengthy chat and viewing as we chatted, I heard the word “RUN!!” Out of my left eye I caught sight of a blur in brown and a falcon cruised in front of our faces about 2-3 feet away. Made a swoop past us and returned. We ran for cover and the bird made a few more swoops where we had been and then perched on the SOUTH East corner and watched us intently. We could not go back to fetch our belongings. A leg band was seen from this vantage point and it appears to be the peregrine named, WIND. I fetched an old umbrella and managed to retrieve our belongings. While the falcon was perched on the eastern point of the building, a sea gull began to dodge and dart around it and eventually managed to get the falcon to move. A chase then took place when they were airborne. Falcon then went back to its perch on the physical plant tower,
It was an amazing sight at close range and I have nothing but respect for the business end of a Peregrine falcon.” Wind”, be assured I will not wear my orange jacket and hang out at far recesses for a protracted period of time, AGAIN-EVER.
So it seems we were being watched very carefully. I might have looked like
an orange bird about to leave my perch and go to my nest. Now I understand the peregrine having a large territory. Who would have thought that this bird would come this far to remind us.
My heart was still pounding an hour later. I never imagined anything exciting like this happening. Very close encounter one I will always remember.
Posted on June 4, 2009 7:47 pm
June 04, 2009 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
The parents put on a great aerial show later this afternoon in front of the nest ledge for their young viewing audience. After a day spent mostly napping and looking around, the young got to see how it’s done! Both parents were gliding in tandem by the nest, backwards and forwards..they even passed over the heads of the young on the ledge a few times. I’m not sure if this was an effort by them to motivate the young or if they were simply enjoying some time off from parenting duties.
Posted on June 4, 2009 6:09 pm
