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Cathy Kerr Reports:
Bruce arrived to find Tardis on the white HVAC. Didn’t see Kepler.. Then Tardis flew back to 250, all by herself lol. Then parent came and she chased parent and Kepler joined in. Then back and forth before Tardis went down for a nap on 150., Kepler continuing to bug the parents and fly around.
When I arrived I got to see her fly over and onto the HVAC, Kepler came out a little late to chase but followed her over. He then did what bratty brothers do, he flew up to the HVAC and bugged his sister lol. Sally joined me then and Bruce headed out. We saw a few more flights and then it was quiet. We suddenly heard alarm calling to the south of us. Then it sort of moved around above us and to the north east…Sally hopped up to go out to look up and immediately spotted a peregrine and something larger. A hawk? And flying, as hard as he could, Kepler!! With the sun high and bright it was hard to make out at first but definitely a hawk accompanying Kepler…. That explained the alarm call and sure enough one parent, then the other, darted into to make their displeasure known! Kepler flew out of the fray, as we watched the hawk get hit, and chased, around 150 and all the way to the Forrester building! We lost sight for a second and then there they were on the north side of the building where it tried to land but Mom and Dad were having none of that! It was stooped and smacked and escorted out of the area. It was quite something and we hope the hawk was OK. This watch has certainly had its share of “intruders”. Not only have we watched the falcons, we’ve watched assaults on turkey vultures, a coopers hawk, a red tail and now what we think was another red tail. No rest for the parents this fledge year. Who knows. The Don Valley is full of parks and ravines that host all sorts of wild life. But perhaps the hawks are surprised that they’re getting beaten up in August, when they’re usually getting harassed in June! After all that excitement, everyone went down for their afternoon siesta….
Part two is tomorrow…I have to go to bed lol
Posted on August 5, 2019 1:48 am
August 03, 2019 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Bruce opened the watch finding all where they were the night before. Then both Tardis and Kepler flew out and around the building landing on 150. Tardis then spent some time watching Kepler fly before flying back to the nest building rooftop. Kepler was good and let her fly. Mom came in with food and Tardis went for it–and got it! More food was brought in and Mom attempted a food transfer with Kepler but it was unsuccessful. Mom made sure Kepler got the food though this time. Then about 9am, Tardis flew out over the highway, turned back and flew south over to the buildings with the solar panels. Bruce lost sight of her behind the garage so walked over and saw her on the solar panels. He walked over to those buildings but by the time he got there, she was gone. When I arrived he still hadn’t seen her. But I knew how much she loved her home building and we figured she was pancaked up there somewhere….and around 11:30 she popped up lol. Bruce headed off. And then I was treated to some amazing flights by the whole family!! I couldn’t keep up! Mom and Dad had a lovely reunion on the nest ledge and then were off…Kepler made many flights. And our girl Tardis flew too but this time, Kepler chased her every time! He wanted to play…he loves his sister. At first, Tardis was a bit thrown off, missing her landings-first one she kinda slid onto the roof but was fine, next one she missed and landed on the white structure up there and finally, she was landing fairly well on the rooftop ledge. It was so great to watch! Then it was down for their afternoon siesta…More flights and chases in the late afternoon…Sally and her friend joined me for the evening but things were quieting down and shortly after, the kids were fed with Kepler completing his first food transfer!!! Way to go Kepler! After that, Tardis was done for the night. Kepler tried very hard to get her to fly but no way. I closed the watch with Tardis on 250 roof and Kepler on his letter. Hoping to see Tardis make some landings on the ledges tomorrow but she is doing great! I am attaching one complete flight and chase, and a few other landings…I have quite a few!
Posted on August 3, 2019 11:45 pm
August 02, 2019 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
DAY 7:
The day started off fairly quiet, Bruce reported that Tardis was doing short flights across the roof but that was it. I relieved Bruce and found the building setting up for a large party–tents were going up, bouncy castles, the works(like last year),noisy generators…ugh, not going to fly while that is going on. When they settled for their afternoon siesta, I escaped for lunch. I came back to find the kids where I left them. Lucie joined me shortly after and Sally in the evening. We enjoyed Keplers flights and the lovely interaction between him and his sister. We were getting ready to close at 8:55 when off Tardis flew…over to 150, she just missed the roof and down she went, bumping off ledges as she went. She finally flew off and over to the DVP-her parents were after her in a shot and directed her back to the east side of 150 but she missed the ledge again, and down she went further, bumping all the way. She now made a panicked flight low , with Mom right behind her, over the trees to the DVP and we lost sight of them. Seconds later, Mom was headed back, alone and landed on 150. Our hearts sank. It was almost dark and a fence and trees and bushes were between us and the DVP….Sally said she knew a path thru near Eglinton and we were off. We got to the ramp to the DVP and we split up, Sally up Eglinton and me onto the ramp(staying off the road of course). Thankfully it was quiet, and I headed up one side looking left and right at all the bushes and trees…ugh. I was more than halfway up(its a fairly long ramp), when on the left I heard a starling chirping…I would check on the way back down..I had to make sure she wasn’t on the ramp. Nope. I crossed and started back, came to the starling, and stopped and looked at the trees…was that her?? A brown lump-it was after 9 and sun was down..I stared…It was her! Jammed into a crook–but was it? She moved her head…thank goodness. I phoned Sally and Lucie and they joined me. But she was at least 12 feet up from the ground…there was no way we could rescue her. Even if we could attempt it, there was the danger she would panic fly out onto the highway and then…well we didn’t want to think about it. We were in contact with Mark and Marion and they advised us the same. They have so many years experience and said they had had birds in trees before and that we had to give her a chance to get herself out of this mess. We contacted Bruce and we all made plans for Friday…Bruce, Sally and I would meet at 530am to start our watch and keep an eye on our girl. With very heavy hearts, we went home…leaving little Tardis in that tree in between a very busy highway and its ramp…
DAY 8:
Sally reports:
Having left Tardis hiding in a tree only about 12 feet high (from the highway ramp) the night before, I arrived at about 5:40am to meet up with Bruce and Cathy who were already there, and had walked the quiet highway ramp to reconfirm Tardis’s location. She was a bit farther up in the tree and sitting upright….a good sign!
Bruce did a walkabout to figure out the best sight lines and advised us on where to split up. He wasn’t keen on us heading to the roof top of the parking garage (a tempting spot that would give a good view of Tardis, but also a potential landing spot, should Tardis attempt to return to the nest building). I confess, after feeling blinded by the rising sun, Cathy and I agreed I would sneak up to the parking garage, but below the roof. It was a good spot to try and locate her, but ultimately the best place to be was on the ground, ready to move when she did.
It was so, SO frustrating to know where she was, but not able to do anything other than watch and wait it out. Bruce got out his scope and found her! She had moved up the tree-it was great to be able to see her. I joined Cathy in a shady spot south of Tardis, and Bruce sat west of her, with all of us able to keep an eye on her. She wrestled with the branches and leaves, hopping over to a branch more suited to her weight. She climbed higher up the branch(smart girl). While watching Tardis, we laughed at Kepler chasing birds as if attempting to engage them in play. He certainly needed his sister back!
While Kepler was chasing birds, Tardis was getting harassed by starlings and robins. She turned this way and that (no don’t face the highway!), and several hours later (!) she attempted to fly home. She made it to the parking garage roof (Bruce called it!). SHE WAS HOME!! How happy we were to see her away from the busy highway and messy scrub! Close to home, but not there yet and she knew it.
A few more flights, each time attempting to get to the nest building but miscalculating and ending up back on the garage roof. While on the roof, she felt the wrath of the resident swallows. Ouch.
By this time, Lucie had joined us, and was able to confirm that Tardis flew high around the south west side of the ICICI building. We’d all lost sight of her but walked around to where we saw her last. Splitting up again, Cathy and Lucie were on their way to drive further back to view the ledges, when out she popped above me. She attempted to fly out and back up to the roof of the building, missed, bonked her head on the “I” letter, recovered, flew and batted against the building, and then flew out over to the nest building roof, batting against the concrete before hoisting herself up to the roof. Yay Tardis! You’re home! All that happened at the same time a poor red tail hawk was passing through and got a royal escort OUT by both parents. We hope the red tail hawk is safe somewhere, wondering what on earth just happened. Can’t wait to see Lucie’s photos!
She probably decided the roof of the nest building was the best place to be, because she didn’t leave for the rest of the day. Mark and Marion had joined us late afternoon and , it had been an exciting morning but no more flights for Tardis… Kepler fooled us into thinking Tardis flew, when he set off screaming and chasing after something. Tardis was no doubt loving the safety of the roof after a night in a flimsy tree, and after being fed, had no intention of embarking on any more adventures. Cathy confirmed it. Kepler showed Mark and Marion how far he’d come in a week. What a champ. Great stamina, cheekiness(he chased his Mom and gave her a bonk!), and some fancy landings now!
Mark and Marion closed the watch with Tardis on the roof and Kepler on his favorite spot-the letters. Well done Tardis. In under 3 hours you did an incredible job of coming home, gaining altitude and learning from some clumsy mistakes. Let’s see what you do tomorrow.
Note from Cathy: I just want to give a huge thanks to Sally, Lucie, Bruce, Marion and Mark for all their help and support, it was a very stressful 14 hours, and for the whole week! I can’t wait to see Tardis fly tomorrow!!
More pictures from Lucie to follow….
Posted on August 2, 2019 11:19 pm
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Cathy Kerr Reports:
We have the best security people at our site! I got a call early this morning(woke me ) saying a peregrine was down…I was on my way in no time. The security guard at 250 had pulled into his parking spot this morning and saw one of our babies on the lowest level retaining wall. He called me and there I found her, Tardis! More than likely a slip and fly but we will never know. Bruce had just arrived so we both did the rescue…but not before she took one look at us approaching and slipped around us and was on the run lol…then flew low through the garage, thru the gate and landed on the wheel chair ramp, directly below the nest! Bruce and I worked together and had her scooped up in no time…she is a fiesty one…biting through the towel, hissing and kicking…just the way we like them. Full of piss and vinegar lol. We popped her into a crate and after a discussion with Marion Nash, it was decided that Bruce and I would release her back up onto the nest building roof. It has a high retaining wall, shade and a place for her to rest up and more importantly, her parents could find her there. The release went smoothly–Jenna and Chester didn’t even know we were there. By the time we got down, Mom had already flown over and found her, and so had Kepler! In no time it seemed, he had popped down to see her. And around 11:30, Mom flew to the retaining wall directly above the sign…and within minutes, up popped Tardis! She chased Mom off and then made her way across to above the nest…and it was her turn to look down onto the nest and see her brother there…he spent the afternoon siesta there as did Tardis…she never moved from that spot. Then around 3:30 or so, Kepler flew up to see his sister…lots of beaking and sweet moments between them. Kepler decided he would show his sister how fun it was to fly–and boy did he put on a show! Was great to watch…Tardis enjoyed it as well I am sure, but she decided she had quite enough today and stayed put for the night. Kepler chose the letters for bed again tonight.
Jenna and Chester had a big day today as well, they both chased and attacked a turkey vulture(he won’t be coming back–he really got it) and then we watched in amazement as a Cooper’s Hawk flew low and through the parking lot going east…couldn’t believe he made it without notice from the parents. But then he pushed his luck…he flew back through and this time Jenna went after him–whacked him a good one….doubt he will be coming back either. Good job by the parents, keeping their babies safe.
Thanks to Lucie, Sally, Mark and Marion for joining me today….great to have the extra eyes! Maybe tomorrow we will get to see our girl fly….
And thanks to Lucie for her great pics!
Posted on August 1, 2019 12:01 am
July 30, 2019 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
Bruce braved the rain this morning… Tardis enjoyed the rain on the ledge and Kepler played in the heavy downpour on the roof above her! I arrived as the rain was ending and relieved Bruce. I got to see Kepler make his first attempt at the letters..He was going after Mom.. Missed (both) and ended up on roof above the nest again. Dad joined him on the other side so I enjoyed seeing the whole family in one place for the rest of the morning. Kepler decided that the nest ledge would be a good place to spend siesta time and joined his sister there for the afternoon. I found some shade and was delighted to see both siblings pop up at the same time–lots of beaking-adorable! Tardis then popped down again and stayed there while Kepler was visiting. As soon as he left, she popped up but was quite subdued, it was quite hot today. But Kepler did not disappoint me-lots of flights..one in particular, he was heading back to the nest ledge where Tardis was waiting, dead centre, Kepler was headed right for her when he missed, touching off the window right below her! She was watching-probably thinking, no way I am doing that!!! He flew out and right over and landed, quite nicely on the “S” of Sony -way to go Kepler, another milestone, done. As night was approaching , Tardis got fed and was visited by both parents, even a little beak feeding by Mom. Kepler meanwhile tried to go to his top floor bed but missed and clung to the wall for a minute lol–peeked up at the ledge, decided nope, and flew back out then back onto the top floor, made it nicely. I thought that was it for him but no, he decided he would rather spend the night on the “Y” of Sony, like a big boy. He whined for a bit but then pancaked down for the night. Dad flew over to the nest ledge, popped down and grabbed the uneaten portion of Tardis’s dinner and flew off with Mom in pursuit. They flew in front of Kepler and around the building twice, but he was tuckered out so Dad ate it! Another great day for Kepler…let’s hope the cooler weather tomorrow will entice Tardis to ramp it up a bit 
Posted on July 30, 2019 11:55 pm
July 29, 2019 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
A hot one! Bruce opened the watch again. Saw Tardis briefly, some flapping before down into the nest again. But Kepler did not disappoint! Dad headed off east to hunt and Kepler decided to join him! He was heading for the blue glass condo on the other side of the DVP but couldn’t quite make it, so settled for the wee bit closer brown condos, about 5 balconies down! (it too is on the other side of the DVP) Way to go Kepler, that is quite a milestone…. And from there he flew over to the blue condo… Where dad kept an eye on him. Dad then decided he should head home and enticed him with a meal. Kepler didn’t seem to go for it and Bruce list sight of him. I was arriving at this point and I saw a parent on the ICICI sign and the backside of a peregrine going down onto the rooftop above parent. I drove in and as Bruce was leaving, Kepler flew in to the top floor of 250!! Home!! And there he pancaked out for the rest of the morning!
I took a break from the heat while our family was having their afternoon siesta. I met up with Lucie later in the afternoon and we headed for shade and to watch Tardis. With Kepler doing so well, we do not have to worry about him–we will enjoy watching him fly and learn from his parents. And since Tardis is not very active, we can watch him now lol. Tardis is up and flapping more but still not quite ready. Sally joined us in the evening-Kepler did a few short flights and was waiting to be fed…we were just talking about his amazing feat this morning, when off he went, quite low out and over the DVP, heading for the blue condo. But he was way too low and kept going lower…we lost sight of him near the hotel. We saw a parent fly up(Kepler had probably seen parent and went after them for food) and circle around high, near the 3 brown condos and then fly back to 150. We searched but could see no sign of Kepler, but there are so many buildings and balconies over there. Dad flew up above the nest ledge, prompting Tardis to scream for food. Then we saw a parent flying back from the brown condos—so high and soaring-beautiful–but wait, a few wing flaps, soaring again, then landing with that landing only juvies make!! Kepler was home!! What a beautiful flight back, quite effortless…amazing flying by our little guy–We really don’t have to worry about him at all :) The watch ended with Kepler flying out and back onto his nighttime ledge, where he got fed by Mom, and Tardis sitting waiting for her dinner which did not come…Mom and Dad want her to fly ….as much as we do lol…will tomorrow be the day? Stay tuned….
Lucie has contributed her pictures to this post. Enjoy!
Posted on July 30, 2019 12:02 am
- All Reports
Cathy Kerr Reports:
DAY 3 FLEDGE WATCH:
Bruce opened the watch today(thank you Bruce for letting me sleep in!). Tardis actually popped up for a whole 15 minutes…sitting at the back of the ledge but its a start!! Kepler made a few flights and made it to the roof!!! A big accomplishment!! Just before I got there, he flew to the roof of 250 and out of Bruce’s sight. And there he remained for the next 4 hours lol. Bruce headed home and a few hours later, Sally joined me.
Pretty quiet in the afternoon until Kepler appeared on the roof near the nest (after resting on west side of the roof after his morning rooftop flights). At one point he peered down at Tardis and exchanged greetings with his sibling.A few more flights, each one more controlled with improved landings, the goal appearing to be getting to the nest. He made it back to much fanfare from Tardis! They had quite the reunion–was very cute. Food was dropped off and at one point a flash of bright yellow revealed a poor goldfinch, still intact and two unimpressed (hangry!) juvies not happy to have a ready to eat meal!
Kepler snuck out above us and decided to stay on one of the nest building ledges for quite some time. His behaviour indicated he found a meal! As evening closed in we saw less of Jenna, but towards the end of the watch she flew quickly east, then a while later back westward, back to Foresters. We assumed she might be hunting, but then wondered if she was on alert, considering the intruder who is probably still in the area (and would explain her behaviour)
We closed the watch with all four in view. Tardis on the nest ledge, Kepler on the top ledge of intel building. One parent on the intel sign (an eye on the kids and a view to the east) the other on the foresters roof with 360 view. Maybe Tardis will ramp it up and fly tomorrow night? Tune in tomorrow!
Posted on July 29, 2019 12:10 am
- All Reports
Cathy Kerr Reports:
What a day! Bruce arrived early to find Kepler had flown back to the nest building, 3 floors from the top! Bruce left briefly and we both arrived to find him back on 150, top floor! Good job Kepler! He then kept flying! He batted more than once but landed up each time! Bruce left but Sally joined me shortly after and enjoyed watching Kepler fly…not always pretty but he kept going, learning as he went. There was one flight were he was losing height and it was Dad’s turn to be the hero and bumped him up!! Great job Dad! The wind gusted him low and to the back of 150 but he came back and landed high again. Mark and Marion joined us for the evening. Kepler was very hangry lol and flew again and again–he was trying to get back to the nest ledge(where Tardis was eating). He didn’t make it but was close–right next to it and Mom finally fed him….and then he was down for the night. A very tired peregrine but a strong one…I don’t think I have ever seen so many flights from a newly fledged peregrine in one day before…there were at least 12 flights today from the little guy!! Tardis popped her head up a couple of times but that was it…Its Khalessi all over again ….Going to be a long week..but at least I can enjoy watching Kepler keep on going!
Posted on July 27, 2019 11:54 pm
July 26, 2019 - Toronto - Don Mills and Eglinton - Amexon
Cathy Kerr Reports:
A long day but a good one! Started off quiet, but Dad started trying to get Kepler ready to fly, flying in and out, showing him how! Lovely to see! But then alarm calls started, Mom and Dad were on high alert but then settled down but lessons ended. Lucie joined me in the afternoon and we finally got to see Tardis! Well his head anyways lol. Peeking over.. Very cute! But then Mom alarm called again and this time we saw the intruder! And Dad was after it in a flash.. Chased it off… But then Mom was on high alert for the rest of the afternoon while the kids snoozed. Sally joined us for the evening and then around 630, we had just talked about X flying at dusk last year, when off Kepler went!! Off the ledge and straight out, heading over to the DVP!! In a shot, Jenna was after him! She bumped and turned him back, then flew with him, bringing him over to the other building! Where he slightly batted on the wall, then dropped down onto the second floor from the top ledge!!!!! It was amazing to watch… Jenna saved him! He checked out his ledge, looked in all the windows and rested. Both babies got fed and settled on their ledges for the night!! Looking forward to seeing some more great flying tomorrow… And maybe all of Tardis? Lol
Posted on July 27, 2019 12:33 am
July 24, 2019 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Marion Nash Reports:
This morning Mystery (I think) flew up to the Sunlife sign with a snack. A juvie followed and landed at the top of the sign. Lots of vocalizing but mom wasn’t giving up her snack. I grabbed a picture of her through the 19th floor window having a nap with her breakfast.
Janice Newton
Posted on July 25, 2019 11:57 am
