Canadian Peregrine Foundation -- Ottawa Archives: Aug to Sept 1999

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August - September 1999

September 1, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: Jessie and Loft were observed on the NE perches of the Constitution Square Building this afternoon between 2:00 p.m and 3:00 p.m. This is a favorite spot for the our Peregrine Family.

At 4:40 I saw a pigeon drop from the sky with such alarming speed. It landed with a thud on its back and was without a doubt dead on impact. I could not see above me since I was in a vehicle, but I wonder if one of our Peregrine Falcons had tried to catch this unfortunate pigeon and obviously missed its target. There was no blood seeping from any wounds and this made me think that a falcon might have knocked the wind out of this pigeon. We will never know what truly happened.

September 2, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: The female parent named Horizon is perched on the Constitution Square Building. She has been there since 11:00 a.m. A window washing crew is on the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Mother is keeping an eye on her nest. I have not seen the chicks or the male parent named Connor today.

September 3, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: Horizon was perched on the Constitution Square Building this morning at 7:30 a.m. Small dark feathers were fluttering in the wind as she was enjoying her breakfast. She then proceeded to preen her feathers and digest her meal. At 7:55 a.m. she took off as a small flock of pigeons caught her eye. She flew towards the Standard Life Building in hot pursuit of the startled pigeons. I lost visual contact with them as they continued their chase in the labyrinth created by the various buildings in the surrounding area. She is such a magnificent falcon, graceful and amazing to watch. We haven't seen the last of our Peregrine Falcon family!

Stephanie Carriere reports: Last night, I saw one of the chicks nestled in the southside box at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It s a cosy little niche less than 20 storeys up. I ve seen Mother Horizon there often. She usually arrives at dusk and quickly settles down for the night. Once she showed up and had to shoo away her mate Connor, who crossed the street and roosted on one of the ledges between the two towers at Constitution Square.

This morning, between 9 and 10:30 a.m., I saw one of the peregrines perched on the Bradson Building's antenna. This afternoon, I noticed both parents perched on the northeast corner of Constitution Square at 2 p.m. It was a hot day, so the couple must have gone there for the shade. Besides, the window cleaners were still working on the Crowne Plaza: Horizon was on one of the three ledges, Connor on another. At 3:30, she flew over to his ledge, sat there for a moment and suddenly ran over to him. He flew away, looping over the street and landing on the middle ledge, after which she flew away towards the north. Horizon returned a few minutes later, landing on Connor's ledge, then he flew away. I walked by at about 4:45 p.m. on my way home and she was still sitting there.

A couple of hours later, I heard the familiar call, grabbed my binoculars and went out to my backyard. There was a falcon perched on the antenna at the Bradson. It was quiet for a little while and then repeated its call in a several bursts, with its wings drooping down. After doing this routine a few times, it preened itself and stretch its wings a lot for about 15 minutes, finally flying away north shortly after 7.

September 9, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: At 5:40 p.m, a Peregrine Falcon flew to the NE corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and displaced a falcon that was already perched there. Without my faithful pair of binoculars handy, I cannot identify the falcon above me.

As I walk further up Albert Street and make my way towards Kent Street at 5:50 p.m., I observe a falcon land on a window ledge of Journal Tower A. In a blink of an eye, the falcon takes flight, swooping gracefully before once again landing on the window ledge. I can see two pigeons in the distance, but they do not seem to be what has caught the interest of the falcon. It repeats this aerial maneuver three times before it is disrupted by a screeching falcon. The word Loft comes to mind as I hear that familiar cry. He might be hungry and knows his parent is an expert hunter. Both falcons were flying up above and heading South when I left the downtown core. A hunting lesson might just be on the agenda this evening for our young falcon.

September 14, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: I spotted a falcon on the NW corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 7:45 a.m. I did not have my binoculars with me at this point in time. A falcon was perched on the very top east railing of the Constitution Square Building at 8:45 a.m. Its back was turned to me and I could not make out who was perched there. I do not know if this is the same falcon I spotted an hour ago, since my office is east of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

September 15, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: Our falcons are still here and still perched on their favorite rooftops. Connor is on the top NE rail of the Constitution Square Building this morning (8:00 a.m.). His mate Horizon is on a lower perch and feathers are seen twirling upward in the wind as she preens her glorious feathers. Connor momentarily looks up at the dancing feathers. The sun is warming them on this chilly morning.

(8:45 a.m.) Horizon gracefully flew off her perch and headed towards Place de Ville Tower A. She was immediately followed by Connor. He\ flew right above my office window before joining her in hot pursuit. What a spectacular sight to behold. Horizon and Connor flew in unison, gliding and following a predetermined path. Horizon swooped down, came back up and caught a small bird between her sharp talons. Connor was behind her admiring her hunting skills. She returned to her lower perch on the Constitution Square Building and ate her breakfast. Connor was observed flying above the Crowne Plaza Hotel heading north in search of his meal. It is 9:00 a.m. and Horizon is contentedly basking in the sun while keeping an eye on her surroundings.

This is a rare treat for our devoted parents. Horizon and Connor are enjoying a day away from the stress of parenting and have been spending quality time together since this morning. They have been perched on the NE corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel since 1:30 p.m. and might be keeping a lookout for their boisterous chicks just in case they get in trouble. A parent can never truly be off-duty.

September 16, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (7:30-8:30) A lone falcon was observed flying within range of the nest area. At the speed it was flying, a challenge presented itself in determining who was hunting. It was seen diving behind Minto Place and returning 10-15 minutes later. A meal might have been consumed. It then flew to the antenna of the Standard Life Building and would periodically return to the skies. It is now perched on the NW corner of the Standard Life. Despite my binoculars, I cannot identify the mirrored image I see reflected on the Constitution Square Building. A single black and bright yellow feather was seen fluttering in the sky and land to the ground. Our falcon might have been successful in its hunt after all.

September 17, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: At 8:00 a.m., Horizon could be seen faithfully guarding her nest. She was perched on the SW corner of the Constitution Square Building and stayed there for over an hour. It is a quiet and uneventful day for falcon watching. I have not seen or heard our chicks in a week. This positive sign might just prove that they are successfully adapting to the independent life of a Peregrine Falcon.

September 19, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Horizon was still perched between the SE and SW corner of the Constitution Square Building. She has been close to the nest area most of the day. It was very windy as I looked up and filmed her with my videocamera, but she was undisturbed on her perch as she preened her feathers and kept an eye towards the South of the city. I could not detect another falcon in the area.

September 20, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (7:45 a.m.) Horizon is a welcoming sight on the fourth level NE ledge of the Constitution Square Building. Pigeons are seen flying by, but she must have already had her breakfast. She is preening herself and keeping a steady eye towards the north, west and south of her nest area.

(12:00)    Mother Horizon is without a doubt the protector of the nest. She is now perched on the NE corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I have not been able to locate Connor, Jessie, Loft and Preston. She is very diligent in keeping her feathers in excellent condition. Our chicklets have a remarkable role model.

September 21, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports:   (7:30 a.m.) Horizon is perched on the SW corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. At (7:45 a.m.) she takes off and heads East of the Standard Life Building. By (8:00 a.m.) she has returned and I see her above the Bradson Building and this time she is not alone.

Horizon and another falcon are now above the SE section of the Constitution Square Building rooftop. The other falcon swoops and dives and playfully attacks Horizon. She settles herself on the SE second level perch on the Constitution Square Building as the falcon continues to fly towards the north of the building and return to dive mere inches above her. The playful and possibly hungry falcon gives up and heads south. Since I am inside my office building, I cannot know if the falcon is screeching for a free meal from its Mother. Five minutes later Horizon heads off North behind 240 Sparks, probably in search of her own breakfast.

September 22, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (7:00 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.) Horizon and Connor have been observed this morning on the NE and SE rooftop rail of the Constitution Square Building. They would take short flights and return to the building while keeping an eye towards the west. At (7:45 a.m.) Horizon left her perch and headed towards the SE corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel while Connor flew above me and sought a higher perch on the Standard Life antenna.

(4:20) Horizon has been observed frequently throughout the afternoon. She has taken various flights to the four corners of the city, but has faithfully returned to the SW corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Connor has not been seen since early this morning. Still no sign of Jessie, Loft and Preston.

September 23, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (8:00) Horizon arrives this morning with breakfast between her talons and settles on the NE second perch from the bottom on the Constitution Square Building. Within moments, black and white feathers are dancing in the wind. Connor is observed in flight near the Tower B at Place de Ville. He is not putting much effort in hunting a small bird and might not be that hungry. He returns to the top rail of the Constitution Square rooftop without a meal. He is perched high above on the SE rail of the Constitution Square rooftop and keeps an eye on his surroundings. Horizon looks up every other second as she feasts on her kill.

(8:30) Horizon has finished her meal and scans the area of her nest site. Connor is facing north and preens his feathers.

(8:40) Horizon and Connor seem quite content to be on perches that are situated not far from one another. They are now comfortably settled on the Standard Life Building antenna. Horizon is on the upper perch while Connor is on the lower perch. They have an excellent view of Ottawa and might just know where Jessie, Loft and Preston are spending their time.

Horizon and Connor have been inseparable today. They have returned to the Constitution Square Building. Horizon is on the NE 3rd level from the bottom perch, while Connor is on the NE 2nd level from the bottom perch. They are looking towards the west and have been taken it easy since (11:30).

September 27, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports:   (7:00 a.m.) My friend Linda Hayden mentioned that she observed three falcons silhouetted at daybreak on the Constitution Square Building. They were positioned on three separate perches and she noted that one falcon was noticeably smaller than the other two.

(8:00 a.m.) Jessie was observed near the Bradson Building. She flew just above me and was indeed a wonderful sight to behold this morning. She is now on the Standard Life antenna.

(8:30 a.m.) Connor is flying behind Constitution Square and heading towards the Standard Life Building. Jessie flies off and follows Connor towards the North. They can be seen in the sky as they swoop and dive. This might be a perfect day for falcon watching.

(10:55 a.m.) Due to the noise level created by the road crew on Kent/Albert Streets, Horizon has wisely chosen to settle on the first level from the bottom perch on the SE corner of the Constitution Square Building instead of her usual NE perch. She is looking towards the south and west.

(12:00 a.m.) Horizon has returned to the family nest and is perched on the NE corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and taking a break during this breezy afternoon. No sign of the young peregrine falcons since this morning.

September 28, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports: (7:45) A screeching falcon chasing a pigeon zoomed by my office window in the Standard Life Building. The duo flew past the south/west corner of the building and was lost from sight as they headed east. I waited 15 minutes to see if they would return, but alas no news to report.

(12:00) Horizon is on the NE third perch from the bottom on the Constitution Square. She is changing positions on the ledge, facing inward then turning around again. I cannot see any food and wonder what she's doing.

(3:45) Horizon is still on the NE corner of the Constitution Square Building. As I am looking through my binoculars, I notice a blurry image not far from my right. Connor swoops by heading south with determination. He is high in the sky and takes a breaking dive behind the buildings at Kent/Laurier Streets. I seen him in the distance with a bird dangling between his talons. He keeps flying further south/west and heads off to eat his kill at some unknown location.

September 29, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports:   (7:15 a.m.) Horizon is perched on the NE corner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel preening her feathers.

(7:30 a.m.) I have my camera aimed in her direction as she decides to take flight and settle herself on the NE, 2nd from the top perch of the Constitution Square Building. After a few moments, she flies off north in hot pursuit of a small bird. She is observed swooping and diving behind the buildings at Kent/Laurier Streets. This is a popular hunting area for both Horizon and Connor. She returns to the NE, 3rd from the bottom perch on the Constitution Square Building. She is joined by Connor who is on a perch one level above her. Horizon enjoys her breakfast and wipes her beak once she has consumed her meal. Connor is facing west and keeps a lookout.

(7:45) Horizon is once again on the go. She flies above the SW corner of the Standard Life and heads towards the east of the city. (7:50) Connor leaves his perch and heads off in the same direction as Horizon. (8:50 a.m.) Horizon has returned to the uppermost NE, 3rd level perch on the Constitution Square Building and can be observed ruffling her feathers in the morning sunlight. She is keeping her eye towards the west of the city.

Stephanie Carriere reports:   Between 8 and 9:30 a.m., there was a peregrine perched on the tower of the Bradson Building. There was a light rain shower that tapered off at noon, after which a falcon was on the Queen Elizabeth tower calling out for a few minutes,
sounding like a giant clothes line over the downtown core. At 1 p.m., Connor was on the northeast corner of the Constitution Square roof facing westward, while Horizon was perched on the northside ledge of the Crowne Plaza Hotel with her back to the street. By 5 p.m., he was gone but she remained.

September 29, 1999
Nathaleigh McKenna Rochon reports:   (7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.) Despite the light rain in Ottawa, Horizon is observed taking short flights towards the east of the Standard Life Building. She returns to the SE corner area of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and keeps scouting the nest area.

(8:05 a.m.) She flies over to the SE, 3rd perch from the bottom of the Constitution Square Building. I see Connor's reflection on the mirrored Constitution Square Building as he arrives from the east. He is now on the top corner of the same building.

(8:15 a.m.) In the blink of an eye, Horizon and Connor take off and fly over the Standard Life Building rooftop. They return 5 minutes later and stand guard on each corner of the Constitution Square Building rooftop. I observe a few pigeons in flight as they dangerously pass by Horizon and Connor's perches. Our falcons must have already consumed their breakfast because the pigeons are ignored for the time being.

(12:00 p.m.) Connor is on the SW middle ledge of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It is still raining lightly and I have not observed the falcons in flight since early this morning.

(12:30 p.m.) Horizon has joined Connor on the Crowne Plaza Hotel. She is on the NE ledge, 2 pillars inward. From their vantage point, they can cover all four corners of the city. The juvenile falcons are probably within their amazing field of vision. We might be lucky and have the chance to see Jessie, Loft and Preston return to the nest area before they leave for warmer climates. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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