The Canadian Peregrine Foundation

Thursday June 30, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:30
A quick look to check on the young ladies development and, Jan, I am happy to report that it appears the juveniles have settled their disagreement. Wind was sitting a few sections away, and two juveniles standing side by each, preening. Window washers out on 130 Adelaide on both the east side and the north side of the building. Construction is still occurring on 390 Bay St. ( a favourite spot for cleaning and stashing prey)

(Webmaster's note:) A photo has been added to the Photo Gallery.

Tuesday June 28, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Banding Day
What an exciting start to the day! At 9:00 a crowd of eager falcon supporters and press arrived on the 43rd floor of the Sheraton Centre to witness the banding of Wind's two chicks. The Honourable Minister, David Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources arrived at approximately 9:30. Mark Nash gave an introduction on the history of Toronto's peregrines and the CPF and provided some details on how the banding would unfold. The Minister followed with some words of support and encouragement and at approximately 10 a.m. the bird bag arrived!! Pud (Hunter) our much loved banding expert opened the first pocket and pronounced "It's a big one" and out came our first female, weighing in at 980 grams. She was subsequently named Sher by the Hotel. The Honourable Minister held Sher as she was banded, no mean feat considering her size and feisty nature!! After her work was completed, she was placed in the "quiet" bag. Pud opened the zipper of the second compartment and I knew we were in for a treat as his eyes rolled skyward - out came our second female at a whopping 1002 grams. "Feisty squared" would be an appropriate description. Once again, the Honourable Minister held the chick as she was banded. She has been named "Linda" in honour of Linda Woods, who does Herculean work during fledging season. All present were completely enthralled by the event. I hope we have generated more supporters and potential volunteers.

As the Minister left I shook his hand and thanked him for attending and told him how important it was for all the volunteers and CPF. I asked if we could count on his support and I am happy to say he responded, "Absolutely - I am right with you!" What a perfect end to a perfect start of the day.

Checking on the nest ledge at 10:55 after the excitement of the banding, Wind was at the east corner of the ledge peering in to the corner. I can only guess she was checking that the newly named Sher and Linda were back. At 11:15, Wind was peering out of the east end of the ledge and the chicks were not visible. It was a very oppressively hot and muggy day and this was the view for the balance of the day. Checking at 5:20 as I leave, Wind is still in the same spot and the chicks are not in sight. Smart girls!!

Monday June 27, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Checking in at 9 a.m. Wind was not in sight but both chicks were visible. At 9:45, Wind flew very slowly from west to east past my window about six feet out from the glass - quite beautiful. At 1:40, one chick was IN the old nest box preening. At 3:25 both chicks were in the box. As I watched, Wind arrived with a small morsel of food. One chick lept out of the box, grabed the food and scuttled to the east side of the ledge. Wind stared at it in apparent disbelief. The second chick came out of the box and started pecking where the food had been. Wind left the ledge. The second chick joined the first chick at the east end of the ledge, at which point the first chick vanished in to the east corner followed by the second. Wind returned to the nest box. One chick scuttled over to her, followed by the second. Wind then went to the east corner of the ledge and back to the middle of the ledge, apparently with the remains of the morsel. She then left the ledge with the piece of food. Both chicks separated and appeared to be ignoring each other. At 4:15 and at 5 p.m. as I checked before I left for the day, one chick was in the box and one was on the ledge peering out. Clearly, there had been a dispute over the morsel - this is the first time in four weeks I have seen the chicks stay apart. Kids!!

Friday June 24, 2005
Linda Woods reports: A quick peek at the Sheraton nest ledge, and the chicks are cute as a button. Growing quickly. We'll all get to see them up close at Banding On June 28th @ 09:00 in the Pinnacle Room on the 43rd Floor. Hope all the volunteers can make it. Please bring your cameras, and if anyone has a video camera, please bring it too!

Jan Chudy reports: Checking in at 9 a.m. no adult was visible and both chicks were visible. Ay 9:30, Wind fed the chicks. It was very hot and I did not see the chicks for the balance of the day.

(Webmaster's note:) A photo has been added to the Photo Gallery.

Thursday June 23, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Checking in at 7:15, both chicks were visible on the ledge and no adult was in sight. At 9:15, the chicks were still visible and Wind was on the NE corner of 130 Adelaide. For the balance of the day the chicks were either visible or behind the nest box. I observed a feeding at 3:55. At 5:25, both chicks were huddled together and appeared to be asleep between the standpipe and the old nest box.

Friday June 17, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: At 8:35, Wind was on the standpipe and one chick was visible. At 9:45 Wind was not in sight - one chick was stretching and then other was "waddling" around. At 10:35 still no Wind and both chicks visible behind the old nest box. At 12:50, Wind fed both chicks who are looking bigger by the minute. She then went to the edge of the ledge and the chicks were flapping their wings. Wind then left for the NE corner of 130 Adelaide. At 1:10 she was still there and both chicks were still visible at the back of the ledge. At 3:15 I saw another feeding and again Wind went to sit at the edge of the left leaving the two young ones visible. At 3:50, Wind was back on the standpipe and the chicks were moving back behind the nest box. At 4:45 Wind had moved to the standpipe and the two chicks were sleeping in a bundle by the side of the old nest box. At 5:05 the chicks were in the same state but Wind had moved to the NE corner of 130 Adelaide.

Linda Woods reports: A quick look at the Sheraton nest before heading east to Etobicoke Fledge watch. The two little ones are developing the pin feathers. I attempted a photo but there was too much glare off the white down. They were a little peregrine pile of poof up against the inner corner and just under the camera, and sound asleep. Wind was sitting on the sandpipe.
All is well and the young ones are developing on schedule.
Just wonderful to see them again.
Off to Etobicoke!

Thursday June 16, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: While there were several sightings of Wind throughout the day, there was no sighting of the two chicks until 3:50, at which time I spotted Wind feeding them behind the old nest box. At 3:55 Wind had gone and both chicks were visible and active. I then noticed that Wind was on the NW corner of 130 Adelaide, with two of the window washers sitting about 10 feet from her watching her. At 4:45, Wind was still on the NW corner of 130 Adelaide, the two window washers had gone, and the chicks were not visible. However, at 5:20 the chicks were visible behind the box but there was no sign of Wind.

Wednesday June 15, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Checking in at 8:20, Wind was on the standpipe and the chicks were not visible. At 9:20 Wind was on the NE corner of 130 Adelaide and a window washer was standing about 20 feet away. He was ignoring (or was unaware of) her and she was staring at him! For the balance of the day until 4:15, the chicks were not visible and Wind was either not visible or was on the standpipe. At 4:15, I spied Wind behind the nest box and she appeared to be feeding. This was confirmed by Linda who had arrived to check out the situation. At 4:20, Wind had moved to the nest box and then to the edge of the ledge, then to the standpipe. So, I had no sighting of the chicks for the whole day.

Tuesday June 14, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: At 9:50 Wind was feeding the chicks - both being visible. At 10:45, Wind was behind the nest box and both chicks' heads were visible. At 11:30, Wind had gone and both chicks were visible and clearly larger than Friday. At 12:10, Wind had returned and was on the edge of the ledge. One of the chicks was hopping about at the back of the ledge and finally hopped to the corner behind the old nest box. At 4:10, an adult was feeding the chicks but I could not clearly identify it. At 4:25, the adult flew off and landed on the "r" of Sheraton.

Monday June 13, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: No sightings until 10:15 when I found Wind on the standpipe. The chicks were not visible. This was basically the story for the whole day - we had very bad weather. At 5:20, I could just see an adult behind the nest box.

Sunday June 12, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:15
On initial observation, my heart stopped. I did not see any of the chicks. I checked every inch of the ledge and started to panic, "Where are the birds"! When I saw a little flutter directly under my nose and hidden by the camera. They had crammed themselves up against the coolness of the concrete wall. The heat has been just incredible these past few days. These little guys are still very young and will wait until a cooler day before seeing any change in appearance.

Bruce Massey reports: I walked over King and Bay Street, and all I could see was an adult bird perched on 130 Adelaide St. no eyases were visible.

Friday June 10, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Checking in at 8:30, Wind was on the box preening and no chicks were visible. Chicks were not visible until 1050 when I could see their heads behind the box. At 11:30 I spotted Windwhistler on the ledge with a kill. He took off with a piece of the kill in his beak. At 12:05 Wind returned and stood on the nest box. At 2:55, Windwhistler was on the ledge facing in. Still no sign of the babies. At 3:05 an adult was behind the box and was feeding the babies. At 3:35, the adult had gone and the babies were not visible. At 4 p.m. there was another feeding and at 5 p.m I observed a feeding again.

Thursday June 9, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Virtually no sightings because I was out of the office. However, at 8 a.m. Wind was visible as were the two chicks. Although I was out of the office, the location I was in had a clear view north to the Sheraton and between 11 and 2 an adult was visible on the edge of the ledge. Back in the office at 4:40, Wind was standing on the nest box but no chicks were visible.

Wednesday June 8, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Checking in at 8:40, Wind was tearing up a kill and the chicks were awaiting breakfast. At 9:25 there was a secondary feeding. At 9:50, an adult took off and made one circuit around 130 Adelaide then went to the roof of the Sheraton and then made larger and larger circles to the west then disappeared over Scotia Plaza. At 10:10 no adults were in sight but the two chicks were visible and active. Various sightings of chicks and adults until 4:25 when Windwhistler arrived with a kill - something small and white. He remained at the edge of the ledge for some time but when the chicks started to stir he moved over to them and started feeding.

Tuesday June 7, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Checking at 8 a.m. Wind was behind the box and only the heads of the chicks were visible. At 9:15, Wind was feeding the little ones. At 10:55, Wind was resting in the sun with the chicks visible. 11:55, Wind had gone and both chicks were visible and active. At 3:55, Wind was not in sight and the chicks appeared to be sleeping. At 4:25 I witnessed an amazing sight. I checked the ledge, saw the chicks and no Wind. As I bent to write my note, I noticed something white out of the corner of my right eye flying incredibly past from Nathan Phillips Square over the lower part of the Sheraton. I realized it was a seagull and as I commented to myself that I had never seen a seagull fly so fast, I spotted a peregrine on its tail!! Suddenly the seagull seemed to put on the brakes, the peregrine flew by, along Richmond, around the west side of the hotel, back around the front and then flared up to the ledge. I assumed it was Wind returning. However, when I got the scope on the ledge, Wind was already feeding the babies and it turned out to be Windwhistler. After a few seconds on the ledge, he took off leaving Wind to continue feeding. At 4:45, the chicks were visible and Wind was on the NE corner of 130 Adelaide. At 5:10, the chicks are visible and Wind is on the edge of the ledge preening.

Monday June 6, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Chicks were quite visible for most of the morning, and sometimes fairly active. Checking in just after 1 p.m. Wind had moved them to behind the box. At 1:15 Wind had returned and was feeding them. I assume she moved them to get them out of the very hot sun. I spotted one more feeding at 3:35. At 3:45, Wind was not visible. At 4:20 I spotted her on the NE corner of 130 Adelaide. At 4:45, she had moved to the nest box and was standing on it preening. The chicks were not visible for most of the afternoon and I assume they were lying down behind the nest box. At 5 p.m. she was still standing on the next box and at 6:10 had moved behind the box.

Saturday June 4, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:30
Arrived just in time for a feeding. Wind is so gentle with her feedings. One of the chicks was not facing her during the last stages of feeding. Wind took a piece of meat in her beak and gently tapped the chick on the head with her beak. The chick bent it's head backward and opened wide and took the food from the adult. Third egg is still unhatched. During this time Windwhistler is seen on the north-west corner of 130 Adelaide St.

(Webmaster's note:) A photo has been added to the Photo Gallery.

Friday June 3, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: As I watched Wind flying around above the Sheraton, a second bird "bumped" her. I can only assume it was Windwhistler. He kept on going and I did not see where he went. The chicks were fairly active this morning and at one point, Wind pulled one gently back under her as it seemed to be straying too far. At 10:18, Wind arrived with a kill and feeding began. At 1:45, I observed an other feeding. At 4:55, Wind was gone and I could see both chicks clearly and the third egg. At 5:15, Wind had returned. One chick was visible and active. Feeding began.

Thursday June 2, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 1:00p.m.
Still only two chicks. The third egg is somewhat delayed in hatching. I guess we'll give it a few more days.
The two little ones are still sleeping a lot. Wind is very attentive and protecting from the harsh sun. I was unable at this time to actually see the last egg, as Wind has it under her next to the hatchlings.

5:30p.m.
Finally, Wind is off the little ones and I am able to see that the third egg is still un-hatched, and at this point it may be that it won't. I'll check again in the a.m. before I head out for the Etobicoke banding.

(Webmaster's note:) A photo has been added to the Photo Gallery.

Jan Chudy reports: Chicks visible several times throughout the morning. At 12:25, the third egg was clearly visible. I observed a feeding at 1:45. At 3:20, Windwhistler was checking the chicks. At 3:30, Wind returned to the ledge. At 3:35, Wind was flying lazy circles aropund the towers. At 3:45, Windwhistler moved over to the chicks and settled on them. At 3:55 I spotted Wind on the NE corner of 130 Adelaide. She was preening and shaking out her feathers - she truly seemed to be enjoying her break! At 4:10, Wind returned to the ledge and I realized the Windwhistler had already left (I did not see him go).

Wednesday June 1, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Wind was very restless this morning. With the chicks, then to the ledge, back to the chicks, etc. There was a 20 minute feeding starting at 10 a.m. At 11:30 I spotted Windwhistler on the NE corner of 130 Adelaide. At 11:45, Wind took off and flew lovely lazy circles around and around. I finally lost her over University and Adelaide. At 11:50, Windwhistler flew over and took up duty with the chicks. At 1:50 I observed a feeding. Between 2 and 4:55, Wind was on the chicks and appeared to be sleeping. At 4:55 she took off and had a short flight before returning to the chicks.

Tuesday May 31, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: At 7:30 Wind was at the edge of the ledge and two chicks were clearly visible. At 8:05, Wind gave the little ones breakfast then she flew off around Nathan Phillips Square and then to the NE corner of the Simpson Tower and then back to the chicks. Between 12 and 4:20 p.m. she went several times to the edge of the ledge and vocalized but Windwhistler did not make an appearance.

Monday May 30, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:00
Two have hatched at the Sheraton Centre Hotel.
One egg remains, probably hatch later today or tomorrow.
Windwhistler dropped in to see the new ones and gave Wind a chance to leave the nest ledge and retrieve the food packet for the first feedings. He was very attentive to the little ones and was seen listening to the third egg.
Absolutely wonderful to see.
Video and pictures included.

(Webmaster's note:) Photos and a video clip have been added to the Photo Gallery.

Jan Chudy reports: At 8:50 I had my first view of the new babies and saw a feeding at 12:35. At 3:10 Wind had a flying break then returned to feed the chicks. At 3:50 I spotted her flying to one of the letters in the hotel sign where she had clearly stashed a kill.

Sunday May 29, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:30
It appears that Windwhistler takes the early morning shift. On more than one occasion I have found Windwhistler incubating early in the morning. Photos show him on the eggs, turning the eggs and then Wind approaching the eggs to resume incubating.
Incubation remains constant, hatching expected in the next few days.

(Webmaster's note:) Photos have been added to the Photo Gallery.

Saturday May 28, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:30
Wind continues to incubate, very restless and there is evidence of her beginning to create her "moat" around the nest bowl. Can't really see it in real time, but one can see it in the pictures. It's not the perfect circle as seen at other nests, but it is definitely there.
I will begin to check the nest twice daily from now on.

(Webmaster's note:) Photos have been added to the Photo Gallery.

Friday May 27, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:30
Upon arriving on the 43rd floor, Windwhistler was on the eggs, and Wind was bathing in the morning sun on 130 Adelaide St.
This evening 8:00p.m.
Windwhistler was not in view, but Wind did come off the eggs for a few minutes. Did not see where she went. Returned a few minutes later and settled back down on the eggs. The eggs are a nice colour and appear to be fully intact.

Thursday May 26, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:45
No hatch as of yet. Wind is being very attentive today, listening and turning.

Wednesday May 25, 2005
Linda Woods reports: Wind continues to incubate her three eggs. We are closing in on the final week of incubation. We expect a hatch near the end of May or first of June. Stay Tuned!

Windwhistler continues to provide for both nests. Now that King St. nest has hatched, Mandy has a little more time on her hands (ok, talons), to do a little neighborhood shopping herself, easing the demands of the single male at these two sites.

Monday May 23, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 10:45a.m.
Wind and Windwhistler continue to incubate, but I do think we are closing in on the final days. Today, Wind was very attentive to the eggs and every so often she would tilt her head down to listen. I guess they can feel movement inside the egg. Best guess at a hatch is end of May or the first few days of June.

Wednesday May 18, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 4:50p.m. 5:50p.m. As I was approaching the north side of the Sheraton Centre Hotel at Queen and Bay Sts. I saw a peregrine heading due north, over Nathan Phillips Square. It continued on until it was out of my sight line.
I went up the 43rd floor of the Hotel to see "who" was on the eggs. SURPRISE! it was Windwhistler doing his turn at incubation and the bird heading north was WIND.
Viewing from the exclusive "CLUB LOUNGE" of the Sheraton Hotel, I scanned the roof tops of all the buildings north of Dundas Street. I found her! Wind was dining on the north-east corner of the McLean -Hunter building at College and Bay Sts. Perhaps it's Wind that has been seen in the Bloor and Yonge area. So here I was thinking that perhaps, Windwhistler -Spike was three timing the other females. (maybe not)
Maybe, and just maybe, Wind is two timing the two timer.
Just a thought.

Tuesday May 17, 2005
Linda Woods reports: When I arrived at the hotel for the second time today, I found Windwhistler on the eggs. Wind was not in view. Window washers were out on many buildings including 130 Adelaide St and others.
After about an hour, Wind made an appearance on the north-east corner of 130 Adelaide. She stayed there for a long time and was looking all around, like she was on guard. Windwhistler was somewhat restless as well.
Usually Wind comes directly to the nest ledge after having some time to herself while Windwhistler is on the eggs. This time she stayed back and still had not come to the nest ledge when I left at 3:30p.m.
Windwhistler did remain on the eggs, during that time.

Thursday May 12, 2005
Linda Woods reports: Wind continues to incubate her three eggs. Windwhistler was not seen during my time observing.

Monday May 9, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:30 - 09:00
Wind remains incubating. Windwhistler not in view. On my way over to # 18 King St. A peregrine was seen circling on the west side of Scotia Tower. I watched and waited and eventually the bird broke off and headed west, presumably to the Sheraton Hotel.

Saturday May 7, 2005
Linda Woods reports: For the past few evenings I have been seeing a peregrine on the north west corner of an office building in the area of University and Dundas. Not really concerned, I thought it might be Wind on a incubating break.
This afternoon, around 1:00p.m. the bird had returned to the same spot. Curious I went out hoping it would not fly off before I could get a line on the bird. When I arrived on the south west corner of University and Dundas near the subway entrance, there on the corner were two peregrines!
I really think that one was not a resident bird. ( male and female) Again this evening around 7:40 p.m. A peregrine was seen on the same building and this time a peregrine was in view on the south-east corner of the Sheraton Hotel.
I've seen them on that building on a regular basis now.

Friday May 6, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: Checking in at 8:20 Wind was settled on her eggs. Nothing of note until 1:10 when I just happened to look and caught her re-arranging the gravel. She then stood up, walked to the edge of the ledge, had a look around, went back and turned the eggs and then settled down on them. At 3:10, Wind was on the eggs and an other bird was on the NW corner of 130 Adelaide. They both remained in their respective positions until my check at 3:40. I could not check again until 4:40 at which time the adult on 130 Adelaide had gone. However, a scan of the regular perches turned up an adult on the NW corner of 390 Bay. My guess would be it is Windwhistler waiting to be called to duty!

Thursday May 5, 2005
Jan Chudy reports: : Nothing unusual with the Sheraton. Only point of interest was a flight of turkey vultures sailing through about 1:40. Wind sat tight on her eggs.

Wednesday May 4, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:00 - 08:30
I just arrived on the 43rd floor and just put my coffee down when I heard a lot of vocalization. A quick peek of the nest ledge, and there with feathered talons, was Windwhistler. Chirping up a storm, and obviously had just captured breakfast for Wind and was there to relieve her. She quickly got up off the eggs and flew off. Windwhistler didn't take long to settle down on the eggs, and by the time I took the lid off my coffee, Windwhistler was closing his eyes.

Jan Chudy reports: From 9:30 to 2:30, nothing unusual to note. Wind sat tight on her eggs. However, at 2:30 a second adult was in view on the NE corner of 130 Adelaide. At 3:15, one bird was on 130 Adelaide and no-one was on the eggs. Shortly after, an adult was back on the eggs and remained there until I left at 5:30 so I am assuming it was Wind.

Monday May 2, 2005
Linda Woods reports: 08:20
A quick "look-see" on the ledge and Wind continues to incubate three eggs. Windwhistler was not in view.

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