The Canadian Peregrine Foundation

DOWNTOWN TORONTO ARCHIVES

May - June 2003

Saturday June 28, 2003
Mark Nash reports: Maya was dispatched to the Toronto Humane Society to attend to Juno, and after consulting with the staff vet, it was learned that Juno had a small laceration on his back, consistent to that of an attack from another raptor from above. It was also explained that Juno was found downed in an area where there is a resident pair of red-tailed hawks, raising two fledglings.

Due to the nature of Juno injuries, Mark Heaton MNR was consulted once again to advise him of the birds situation. Arrangements were made for me to pick up Juno, and meet with Mark Heaton so that he could transport Juno to the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary Hospital for further treatment.

Friday June 27, 2003
Mark Nash reports: It has been a very busy last couple of days to say the least. I have just returned from the Brockville banding and got back to the CPF Educational Centre around 6 pm to feed Solo and clean out his 'bog'. At approx. 9 pm the cell phone started ringing - the Toronto Humane society called to advise me that a juvenile peregrine falcon was picked up in down town Toronto, with an injured wing, and was being held for us. We learned that the juvenile peregrine that they had was Juno, and arrangements were made to pick the bird up the next morning.

Thursday June 26, 2003
Jane Stanley reports: I watched Juno this morning about 10:30 from my office window on the 30th floor, BCE Place - Bay Wellington Tower south east corner, soaring, swooping and diving for about 10 minutes. Then he disappeared from my view, to the west and north.

Jan Chudy reports: For the second day in a row I saw a large falcon several times during the course of the day sitting on the Sheraton ledge. I could not clearly identify the bird as Mandy. I arrived at Toronto Street shortly before 6 p.m. There was no activity until 6:10 when a bird flew in from the east over 1 Toronto Street to the nest ledge. It was rather shaky in flight and it was only when it landed that I realized it had prey. Unfortunately, I did not have my binocs with me but I am fairly sure it was Juno. He spent the next 5 minutes ripping off feathers then vanished behind the ledge. At 6:25 he suddenly popped up and flew off with the prey to the top ledge around the King Eddie where he deposited it on the west side of the ledge before he flew off to the roof of 20 Toronto, where he still was when I left at 6:35.

Tuesday June 24, 2003
Jan Chudy reports: Passing by at 8 am this morning, one adult was on a ledge of One Financial Place. When I arrived in my First Canadian Place office at 8:20, one adult was on the Sheraton ledge and remained there until I left at 8:35. Couldn't tell if it was two separate birds.

At lunchtime, I arrived at Toronto Street at 12:20 just as Juno flew over Toronto Street to the north east. He circled 1 Toronto Street twice and then all I could hear was screeching. Shortly thereafter, Juno landed on the north west ledge running around the King Eddie. A few second after that, his father appeared from the same direction and flew to 18 King. Both stayed in place until 12:50. Juno appeared to be having a hearty meal. Paul arrived and we surmised that the screeching I heard was a hand-off of food from father to son. At 12:50 Juno walked around to the west side of the ledge. I walked over to the bottom of Victoria and sure enough, he was standing on the west ledge of the King Eddie. I took my eyes off him momentarily and when I looked back he had vanished. I walked back to Toronto Street and Spike was still on the ledge. Suddenly, Juno flew out of the north side of 18 King and did a loop around the building before settling on the ledge south of his father. Neil arrived and shortly thereafter a seagull came too close and Spike took off chasing him with Juno following him. For the second time in as many days I saw Spike run in to the back end of a seagull! He returned to the nest ledge but when I left at 1:10 there was no sign of Juno.

Friday June 20, 2003
Paul Marshman reports: The falcon family spent most of the afternoon and evening around the neighbourhood. I checked at 3:15 and found Juno on the northeast corner of the King Edward Hotel, apparently working on some food, while Spike sat on the nest building. By 4 o'clock, Juno had moved across the street to the south ledge of the office building at King and Toronto Streets. As I approached he took off, flew east on King St., and landed on One Financial Place. About 7 p.m. I looked again and found Mandy on the nest while Spike perched on 20 Toronto St. Juno wasn't in sight, but both parents made flights to the south during the half-hour I watched, and Spike took up an unaccustomed position on the southeast corner of the King Edward. I suspected Juno was somewhere on the back of the hotel or the nearby condos, but couldn't find him.

Thursday June 19, 2003
Paul Marshman reports: With Axel gone and Juno flying amazingly well, the downtown watch is officially over. But we continue to keep an eye on the neighbourhood, as it's still possible for Juno to get into trouble, despite his prodigious flying skills. I checked the nest area around 8:30 a.m. and found only Mandy sitting on the railing of the CHFI building. However, Neil reports that after 9 a.m. he saw Mandy and Juno on opposite ends of 20 Toronto St. I came back to the corner again about 1 p.m. and scanned all the rooftops -- no falcons. But casually glancing at the nest ledge, I got a surprise: Juno sitting in his customary spot from the pre-fledging days, comfortably tucked into a corner. A few minutes later, Spike appeared, soaring over the nest area. He moved off, and a minute later was seen circling the Scotia Tower. Meanwhile, another surprise on the nest ledge: Mandy suddenly appeared from the back of the ledge, one square over from Juno's position. A few minutes later she began to vocalize frantically and then took off to the east. A look revealed the cause: a turkey vulture cruising by the neighbourhood. Mandy buzzed it, then circled the area and returned to sit on One Financial Place. Juno remained in his corner, and was still there when we left about 2.

Mark Nash reports: Sadness hits Downtown Toronto again. Axel, a young fledgling, became overly excited and flew into an adjacent office building's window. He was found dead on the sidewalk moments later. We are deeply, deeply saddened by the second loss of the year at this nest. For the second consecutive year in a row, the downtown Toronto crew under stressful conditions has experienced the tragic loss of these precious birds. But out of this loss, some good news has come to light. O&Y has agreed to allow us to place a camera on the nest ledge and a monitor in the lobby of 18 King Street this coming fall.

Wednesday June 18, 2003 afternoon
Paul Marshman reports: I searched the area again around 2:30 and found nothing for more than an hour.However, at 3:40 I found Juno on the east side of the King Edward. He immediately took off to the south, then veered westward, pursued by a parent, and disappeared. I looked again around 6 p.m. and found both parents on opposite points of One Financial. Soon afterward, Juno appeared on top of the building as well. Then Mandy repeated her recent odd behaviour: she flew over to the ledge where Spike was sitting and took two or three jumps at the window, obviously attacking her reflection. She then fell off the building, righted herself, and flew off. A minute later she appeared near the Scotia Tower and did the same thing, clinging to a window ledge hundreds of feet off the ground and fluttering as she scolded the bird in the window. Meanwhile, Juno had flown off in the same direction, followed by Spike, and the two also flew up to the Scotia Tower. When I left, around 7:15, Mandy had settled at the bottom of the building's "stepping stone" front, and Juno was on the step above. Neil reports that a few minutes later, Juno flew up to the top of the building and then back down to join his mother, apparently to get some food.

Wednesday June 18, 2003
Paul Marshman reports: Hi all: Well, Juno earned his wings this morning. Harry reports that all three peregrines were on top of the King Edward Hotel between 6 and 7 a.m. Afterward, Juno and Mandy flew to the CHFI building, and later flew off to the north. Juno wasn't seen for more than two hours after that, but he appeared about 10 o'clock, landing on top of One Financial. He then flew off to the north and disappeared, but Mandy soon flew in the same direction, so we followed. From Adelaide St., we watched as the two flew big circles together, with Mandy swooping the youngster now and then. They drifted south and were joined by Spike, and for a minute or so the three of them circled and played, high in the air. We then couldn't believe our eyes when Juno landed on the very top of the Scotia Tower! He stayed there for quite a while, walking around and exploring, and about 10:30 he joined Mandy on the opposite corner, gliding across the front of the building with ease. Looks like nothing is going to keep him down now.

Wednesday June 18, 2003
Harry Crawford reports: At 6:00am when I arrived at the downtown site, none of the birds were visible. Spike arrived on First Financial shortly after and with Bruce's help, Mandy and Juno were found on the north east corner of the King Edward. Mandy fed Juno and a short time later, Spike brought prey over in his talons. All three birds made a magnificent line-up on the north King Edward roof ledge! Juno proceeded to 'prepare' food with both adults watching. Around 7:00am Mandy moved to the weather vane on the top of the St. James' spire. Juno began to jump and fly back and forth from the east and west ledges. By 7:30am he flew over to the copper flashing on the south side of the CHFI penthouse, just behind the cooling tower. Mandy joined him and they both flew off to the north. They hadn't returned by 8:45am when I handed the site off to Paul and Zoe.

Tuesday June 17, 2003
Harry Crawford reports: At 5:25am, none of the peregrines could be seen on or around the nest building. Mandy arrived on the CHFI building at 5:39am followed by Spike after coming off the King Edward and chasing a gull. Both adults remained visible in the area and were still so at 8:45am when I left. Spike continued to chase gulls at every opportunity. Juno was first seen at 6:05am after completing a trip up Victoria and back. He was out of view shortly after. Neil spotted Axel on the lower back roof of 20 Toronto at 6:59am. He was likely there from when he made his first flight, sometime before 5:25am. Juno made several trips over to Axel and spent quite a bit of time with him. Axel practiced flapping quite a bit.

Monday evening June 16, 2003
Paul Marshman reports: Juno continued his athletics during the evening. He went for an extensive tour of the neighbourhood about 7, flying north to Adelaide St. and then back south to Wellington. He flew strongly and even glided now and then. He ended up on the southern corner of the condo building on King St., directly south of the nest building, and at one point did his bat impression, clinging to the facade of the building for a few seconds before flying off. Around 8 he flew from the chimney of the King Edward back into the nest and stayed there with Axel, who did a few flaps during the evening but mostly remained stuck to the ledge. Both were still there when we left about 8:45.

Linda Woods reports: 8 pm: Axel remains at the nest ledge still waiting to take his first flight. Juno has been doing so well and enjoying flights around the King St. area with Mom and Dad. Just wonderful to see him maintaining height and sticking the landings. Wendy, Neil and Paul were still on sight when I departed. Juno had returned to the nest ledge, I guess to keep Axel company.

Monday June 16, 2003
Harry Crawford reports: At 5:30am, I found Alex on the nest ledge, one adult on the CHFI antenna, another adult who just flew into the nest area and Juno, on the roof of 1 Toronto where he spent the night. Both chicks were flapping and vocalizing like crazy. Juno flew over to the east tower of the King Edward at 6:25am. It was a very good fourth flight -- slowing to land with talons outstretched. In fact, I originally thought it was one of the adults. He flew back to 1 Toronto about 15 minutes later, landed, and then flew right back to the King Edward, this time on the chimney -- not a particularly good choice since it is active and the opening is not protected. Mandy eventually came by and drove him off. This time he tried for the nest ledge, missed it, regained altitude and landed on the roof. Mandy then brought him some food around 7:15am.

At 7:36, Juno flew north and was later found at nest level, on the north side of the building. By 8:18am, he had worked his way over to the north east corner. Neil indicated that Axel was fed around 9am. Both Bruce and Neil observed a couple of training flights with Juno later in the morning. Juno made a couple more trips to the King Edward chimney but Mandy drove him off each time. This is a dangerous spot, particularly with Axel almost ready to fledge and probably wanting to join his big brother.

Sunday June 15, 2003
Paul Marshman reports: Juno spent the entire afternoon on the ledge of 20 Toronto St. Mandy brought food to the southwest corner of the building around 1 p.m., and after eating his fill, Juno migrated down to the east end of the ledge and spent much of the afternoon there. About 6:30 he flapped down to the west end and then suddenly took off. He flew strongly across Toronto St. and landed on the peaked facade on top of the building at the southwest corner of King St. and Toronto St. After walking up and down a bit, he settled down and perched there. He was looking comfortable when we left, close to 9 p.m. Axel remained on the nest ledge.

Sunday June 15, 2003
Harry Crawford reports: At 5:29am both chicks were in the nest, vigorously flapping and vocalizing. Mandy was on the north east corner of the roof of the nest building and Spike was on 10 Toronto. At 6:00am Mandy visited the chicks and then positions herself with Spike on 10 Toronto St., one adult on each corner. At 6:05am Juno fledged! His first flight was strong and high as well as accompanied by his parents. He headed over the King Edward, circled, and returned to somewhere on the roof. Mandy stayed with him and Spike immediately returned to the roof of the nest building. Axel was furiously flapping and I thought he was going to go as well. He finally settled down instead. By 6:54am Mandy was on 20 Toronto and Spike was off chasing a gull. Juno was seen on the roof surface below the penthouse level of 20 Toronto after apparently making his second successful flight. Spike visited him briefly at 7:04am and Mandy fed both chicks around 8:00am. Juno spent most of the rest of the morning lying down and soaking up the sun as well as exploring the west, south and east sides of the building ledge and roof area. The adults stayed near the chicks for the most part with Mandy joining Juno on the ledge at 11:00am.

Saturday June 14, 2003
Harry Crawford reports: I was at the downtown site from 5:40 am until near 11:00am, primarily at Leader Lane and at Court and Toronto Streets. The adults spent much of the time in the usual places, 20 Toronto, CHFI, Scotia Plaza and the King Edward. Spike chased two sets of gulls that came close to the nest area a few minutes after I arrived. Mandy fed on the east ledge of the King Edward, just below the ballroom, at 5:50am. The chicks spent a lot of time flapping, both on the nest ledge and running back and forth behind the ledge. Mandy fed them quite late, at 8:47am. When construction and traffic gaps allowed, Juno and Axel could be heard vigorously vocalizing. Axel has lost a lot more of the white fluff. When the sun finally came out, Juno appeared more brown in the chest area than Axel, who seemed to have more of an orange colour in the same area.

Friday June 13, 2003
Harry Crawford reports: When I arrived at Toronto and Court Streets at 5:35am, Mandy and Juno were visible on the nest ledge. By 7:30am, Juno was flapping vigorously both on the ledge and in the area behind. Mandy moved to the south west corner of 20 Toronto at 7:50am and returned to the nest area with food to feed the chicks fifteen minutes later. Shortly later, Axel was doing a lot of flapping at the back of the nest area. Both brothers spent some time standing beside each other on the ledge at 8:15am. Shortly after, Juno was the only one on the ledge, Axel having retired to the back area. The situation hadn't changed by the time I left at 8:45am.

Linda Woods reports: 08:30 - 10:30: The rain had let-up when I arrived at Court and Toronto Sts. Juno could be seen on the ledge with the occasional appearance by Axel. Mandy began doing a few flights past the nest ledge and eventually came to rest on the north-west corner of the King Edward Hotel just under the Ballroom windows. I think she may have taken food there to entice Juno into his first flight. He continued a few more times flapping until the rain picked up and fog moved in. When I left the area Mandy had moved off the King Edward and out of sight. I think she may have gone over to One Financial Place but the ledges were in the fog and I could not see her or Spike.

Paul Marshman reports: A day filled with strange and wondrous things. I joined Neil and Jan about 2:30 on Toronto St. They reported some odd behaviour from Mandy. She had flown back to the nest from the King Edward, but had attempted to land on the windows below the nest, hit the glass, fallen off and then continued flying -- much like a chick learning to fly.

Both chicks were visible in the nest when I arrived, and both parents flew back and forth around the area. About 2:40 both chicks began to flap and vocalize, and a minute later Mandy appeared from the east with food and flew into the nest. She disappeared into the back of the ledge, hotly pursued by both chicks, and disappeared for about 10 minutes. She then reappeared and stood at the front of the ledge with her back facing outward, apparently working on whatever she had brought. After a while one of the chicks approached and tried to steal a bite, but she moved away and a moment later flew over to One Toronto St., with some meat still in her beak.

I came back to Toronto St. about 4:30 to join Linda and Jan. The chicks were fairly quiet, but the adults buzzed back and forth, at one point taking up positions at both ends of One Toronto St. They then flew off to the west, one following the other. A minute or two later Spike flew into the louvred square beside the nest, followed closely by Mandy, who aggressively chased him out and then flew out herself. A few minutes later, Linda reported another bad landing from Mandy: this time she tried to land on the office building at the southeast corner of Toronto St. and Court St., but ended up fluttering at the corner of the building and missing the landing. We've seen some pretty clumsy landings from Spike in the past, but never from Mandy until today -- what could be the reason?

By 6:30 both chicks were still in place on the ledge, flapping only occasionally. I decided to leave, and was turning to go when we looked up and saw a gull doing an evasive manoeuvre right above us at the corner of Toronto and Court St. Suddenly a streak of grey came hurtling into the picture, and for a second the air was filled with flying bodies. The grey bird, which was Spike, pulled up at the last split-second to avoid hitting the office building on the corner, and at that moment we saw something spinning in mid-air. It was a dead pigeon, which Spike had obviously just killed, and as we watched, it pinwheeled down and landed on the street in front of us, a large wound showing on its neck. Spike, meanwhile, had no intention of leaving his prize behind. He dove down to street level, executed a screeching 180-degree turn inches above the ground, and shot headlong up the street toward us. Flying no more than six inches off the pavement, like a low-flying bomber, he scooped the pigeon off the street without even slowing, and disappeared up Toronto St.

We were still looking at each other in disbelief when there was more action. Spike reappeared from the north, apparently still carrying the pigeon, and with Mandy in hot pursuit. They flew over toward the King Edward, where Mandy landed on a corner ledge. Spike doubled back and found his spot on the corner of One Toronto St., safe for the moment at least. A few minutes he later took off in ferocious pursuit of a gull who wasn't really that close to the nest -- I guess he didn't appreciate Mandy's mean game of follow-the-leader.

Thursday June 12, 2003 continued..
Jan Chudy continues: I arrived at Toronto Street at 4:15 pm. Mandy was standing guard on the second ledge from the north. Within seconds Juno appeared in his favourite spot - against the left pillar of the fourth opening.  They remained standing peering out at the rain until 4:50.  Then while I blinked, Mandy disappeared.  Shortly thereafter an adult flew from north west to south east, slowly past Juno and two minutes later flew back in the opposite direction.  Juno flapped his wings a couple of times and then settled down again.  As I was leaving at 5:05, the adult slowly passed again and Juno bobbed and flapped then settled down.  During the course of all of this, the top of Axel's head was on view from time to time.

Paul Marshman reports: I went over to Toronto St. about 2:30, just in time to see Mandy fly out of the nest and land on the west side of the King Edward. The younger chick was nestled in the north corner of the nest ledge, out of sight most of the time, but Juno was in hyperactive mode, flapping and turning around and occasionally flopping over to the other side of the pillar. At one point he stood right on the edge of the ledge, facing in, and flapped furiously -- I thought he was going to fall off backward. Mandy flew back in about 3, and Spike took a fly-by a few minutes later. Neil came by and joined me. Later it started to rain harder, and by about 4 everybody had hunkered down so Neil and I sought our entertainment elsewhere.

Thursday June 12, 2003
Jan Chudy reports: I was at Toronto Street from 12:30 until 1:40. Nothing visible for the first 10 minutes. Then an adult flew by and went to rest on the top of 20 Toronto Street. Nothing for a few more minutes then another bird flew by and seemed to go to a ledge on the north side of 18 King. I went down the lane and sure enough there was one adult on a north ledge. I couldn't tell who it was. I walked back to Toronto Street and as I arrived an adult flew to the nest ledge. Shortly thereafter, Juno appeared on the next ledge south. They stayed like than in the rain for about 30 minutes. Juno flapped a lot and then finally went down and had a talk with the adult. Shortly after he went back to the fourth ledge and the adult flew to the top of 20 Toronto. Juno spent the next 20 or so minutes flapping and going back and forth on the ledge and behind it. During this time, Axel was standing on the nest ledge and at one point Juno went over and appeared to ask for his advice too. As I left the adult was still on 20 Toronto and Juno was still going back and forth flapping his wings. When Juno and the adult were together it really looked like he was being given a talking to.

Thursday June 12, 2003
Linda Woods reports: I was down to the King St. site this morning and the remaining two chicks are doing well. We have named the chicks. The oldest chick's name is Juno, for the veterans (Juno Beach) submitted by Neil Ruberry, a long time volunteer. The youngest chick's name is Axel, submitted by Harry Crawford, another long time volunteer.

Tuesday June 10, 2003
Jan Chudy reports: I just happened to check the Sheraton nest ledge just now and there are two birds in the back of the ledge!

Mark Nash replies: Very interesting news indeed! It comes on the week after I have just removed the camera from the Sheraton Hotel Toronto nest ledge. We needed the camera to refurbish it, and replace it with the broken Etobicoke camera. We will be putting a camera back on the Sheraton Hotel Toronto this fall.

Tuesday June 10, 2003
Alan Kirschbaum reports: noon - One of the chicks was sitting on the edge of the nest flapping its wings. I could see the other one's head over the ledge. Spike was flying around the area, landing on the nest building and the National Trust building. Lots of fun. cheers.

Monday June 9, 2003
Hello, My name is Karen Tersigni, and I was at the Peregrine banding on June 9 2003 at 18 King street East. It was a very nice experience because I got to hold a baby peregrine. What you did to the peregrine's was very interesting and exciting. I hope I can attend next year. Thank you.

Mark Nash reports: Death of peregrine chick: Sad news indeed. After eight years of successful bandings all over Ontario without a single incident, it was bound to happen sooner or later. High winds, older age chicks, and just some bad luck. The chick actually made a great flight, but the high winds carried it much faster (and harder) east from the nest ledge down Kings Street into the "blue glass windows" of one of the office towers. The chick struck the glass, and was killed instantly, falling to the sidewalk (DOA). Very sad indeed.

Thursday June 5, 2003
Jan Chudy reports: 5:15 pm -One of the adults was sitting on the northern-most ledge in the rain. I watched until 5:40 and it didn't move. I took my eye away for a second to see if Loren was arriving and when I looked back, TWO adults were in hot chase of a seagull who had ventured too close to the nest ledge. The chased it off around the King Eddie then both flew back. One landed on the top north east corner of 18 King and the other vanished. I ran over through the lane and the other adult was sitting on the top of the antenna on the brown building north of 18 King. About two minutes later that same bird chased off yet another seagull before returning to its perch.

Monday June 2, 2003
Alan Kirschbaum reports: Mandy was on the nest ledge around noon time. I walked over to St. James to see if I could get a look at the chicks. Other than Mandy I didn't see much. When I got back to my usual observation spot (the parking lot beside the King Eddy), Mandy was not on the nest ledge, but one of the peregrines was on the North East corner of the building (back to the street). Given the stance I think it was Spike. I could see the tops of the chicks heads over the top of the ledge.

Sunday June 1, 2003
Paul Marshman reports: Around 11 a.m. I saw Mandy fly over to One Financial Place, apparently from the nest. Checking the ledge, I saw one of the chicks emerge and sit beside the pillar for a long period, enjoying the sunshine and the view. About 5 p.m. I checked again and found both the parents sitting on the western points of One Financial.

Friday May 30, 2003
Alan Kirschbaum reports: At noon Mandy was on the nest ledge facing East. Spike brought some food into the nest ledge at 12:25 and Mandy took it from him very quickly and took it to the chicks. An osprey, of all things, flew over the area and Spike took off after it. He came back shortly after and stayed on the antenna of a building on Victoria St until 1.

Linda Woods reports: 07:40 - Mandy was seen at the nest ledge while the three little ones were sitting on the south side of the nest pillar. One chick is huge (or maybe it's all fluff) but I'm going to guess this that there are two males and one female. They are starting to loose some of the white and turning shades of grey. They are definitely developing the "mask". At one point Mandy took off to sit on One Financial Place and Windwhistler enjoys resting on the loop of the antenna, near by.

Wednesday May 28, 2003
Alan Kirschbaum reports: Over the noon hour Spike was on the nest ledge facing the building. Mandy could be seen flying between the Scotia Tower and Bank of Montreal Buildings. At one point Mandy was on the North side of the nest building chasing a bird. I saw her a couple of minutes later on the King Eddy, with a bird in her beak.

Saturday May 24, 2003
Linda Woods reports: Arriving at Leader Lane around 1:00p.m. a lonely gull was drifting past the nest building. A few seconds later Windwhistler came racing directly behind the gull and Mandy was not far behind Windwhistler. Both of them in hot pursuit of the gull. Windwhistler sometimes flies like a juvenile but not this afternoon he certainly did the job of evicting the gull. Returning to Leader Lane around 5:30 just in time to see Mandy carry prey into the nest ledge. Windwhistler was seen on the north-east roof top of # 18 King St.

Paul Marshman reports: About 11:15 a.m. I walked by Victoria St. and found Spike sitting on the southeast corner of One Toronto St. I could see that he was plucking something, and a few minutes later Mandy appeared on the southwest corner. Spike took off and flew to the nest, with food in his talons. Mandy flew in right after him, appeared to take the food, and flapped over to the pillar. She disappeared, and Spike flew off. Later, around 5:30 p.m., Linda and I checked the site and found Spike sitting on top of the nest building. Mandy appeared from the west, with food in her talons, and circled the King Edward before flying straight into the nest. We couldn't see her feeding the chicks.

Thursday May 22, 2003
Paul Marshman reports: About 1:30 Harry and Neil saw both the adults dive-bomb two people who appeared on the roof of the King Edward Hotel. The peregrines then returned to the nest area. I joined them soon after, and a few minutes later a large raptor appeared in the sky. Both adults suddenly appeared and chased it out of the area, making repeated stoops until it headed south. As it flew off I got a good look and managed to identify it: an osprey! The peregrines again returned to the nest area, and Spike soon returned to his usual perch on One Toronto Street. Mandy later appeared, probably out of the nest, and flew over to the corner of the King Edward. At the same time Spike flew over and sat in the square beside the nest ledge. About 6:30 I walked by the nest again and saw Mandy take off from the corner of the King Edward and fly south.

Linda Woods reports: I arrived during meal time. All three chicks are active and appear healthy and doing well. Mandy took her time making sure each one had its share of the meal. The youngest one took its time feeding while the other two wandered to the opposite sides of the ledge. One eventually went back for second helpings. Back to street level, Mandy flew off towards the King Edward Hotel and chased off Windwhistler. Both adults could be seen circling around # 18 King. I heard vocalizing and then Mandy closed the distance between herself and Windwhistler, giving him a poke in the backside. I guess it was to remind him to put in "Quality Time" with the kids. Windwhistler eventually went back to the nest ledge while Mandy headed for the roof top of a nearby building.

Wednesday May 21, 2003
Alan Kirschbaum reports: Over the lunch hour there was a changing of the guard and a brief flight by Mandy. Not much to report, but I brought some summer students with me and they were very impressed.

Monday May 19, 2003
Linda Woods reports: 11:00 am - Mandy at the nest ledge. Windwhistler was seen on the north-east corner of Royal Bank Plaza. He took off shortly after being spotted there and returned to the north-east ledge of the King Edward Hotel with prey. Mandy left the nest ledge to retrieve the food from Windwhistler and take it back to the nest. Couldn't see Mandy feeding the little ones today, they are in behind the nest pillar and out of sight.

Sunday May 18, 2003
Linda Woods reports: Food went into the ledge around 9:20 a.m. Both Mandy and Windwhistler are now able to spend a few extra minutes away from the nest ledge now that days are a little drier and warmer. The three chicks are certainly moving around a lot. The oldest sits at the north end of the nest ledge looking out over the downtown and occasionally rests it head on the ledge. The second chick enjoys the south end of the nest ledge (in the shade) while the youngest stays near Mom. The oldest chick already starting to develop "light gray" colouring on the shoulder. All three appear to be very healthy.

Wednesday May 14, 2003
Linda Woods reports: I was up to the roof level of the King Edward Hotel. Definitely three chicks! at #18 King St. The oldest appears to be about 5 days old, which from the behavioral change Paul and I saw on Thursday last week, would be just about right. One observation that made me chuckle, the oldest, has a funny looking hairdo (kind of spiky).

Paul Marshman reports: About 1:30 I joined Harry, Zoe and Neil on Toronto St. to check on the Victoria St. nest. One of the falcons was sitting on the nest ledge, facing out. A few minutes later it disappeared. Shortly after 2 p.m., Spike appeared, flew by the nest, and veered off toward One Toronto St. Mandy came flying out of the nest and landed on the corner of One Toronto. She sat there a few minutes and then flew back to the nest. I think I saw food in her talons; could Spike have left it there for her? Spike returned and perched on the eastern corner of One Toronto St. A few minutes later Neil reported seeing both birds fly off to the south.

Sunday May 11, 2003
Linda Woods reports: 2:20p.m. - 3:20p.m. - Spike was seen floating around Scotia Plaza. He made a few passes east towards Sherbourne St. He eventually returned to One Financial Place with Prey. Vocalizing could be heard and Mandy appears at the nest ledge. Spike to off towards Scotia Plaza while Mandy could be seen having a small morsel to eat before returning to the nest area with prey. If what I have been seeing, I think there may have been a hatch on Thursday when Paul and I saw Mandy fly directly into the nest without stopping at the ledge first.

Thursday May 8, 2003
Linda Woods reports: As I was approaching Leader Lane, Windwhistler sitting on the north-west corner of the King Edward Hotel. Viewing from the upper levels, Windwhistler had moved to the south-west corner of # 33 Adelaide St. Mandy was in the nest. She's constantly changing positions and reaching beneath her. I wasn't able to see any white fluffs as yet, but judging by her behavior, some have hatched or close to it. I'll keep watching.

Wednesday May 7, 2003
Linda Woods reports: 08:00 - Windwhistler seen on the north-west corner of the King Edward Hotel. Looks like he just finished eating, (wiping his beak on the ledge). 09:00 - Mandy remained in the nest constantly changing positions. Another hand-off of the nest. The bowl of the nest sits below the lip of the ledge and unable to see into it. As they switched I didn't see any white fluffs or movement to indicate any hatching at this point.

Sunday May 4, 2003
Linda Woods reports: Around 9:30 a.m. Spike flew to the nest ledge adjacent to the nest and went behind the pillar. Mandy appeared at the nest ledge and flew towards the north side of the King Edward Hotel. I haven't seen food go to the nest ledge as yet.

11:20a.m.: Viewing from the upper levels I was hoping to see another hand off of the nest. I was expecting to wait a few hours but it wasn't long and Spike once again returned to the nest ledge to relieve Mandy. I definitely didn't see white balls of fluff at the switch off, and not able to see eggs because the bowl of the nest sits below the lip of  the ledge. Should be soon. I believe they started incubating March 30/April 1-3.

 

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