March 07, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Today started off at -12c and as the sun came out warmed up to plus 3 celcius! It’s a glorious day for humans and falcons alike!
Jack and O’Connor spent much time basking in the sun and flying around today. As I was leaving the office at 3:30 I couldn’t find them anywhere so I headed for the subway and as I hit the corner of Bloor and Islington I could hear them. I looked up and there they were on the corner of the Moneris building - where I observed the first mating I’ve seen of this season.
Much later than previous years but not unexpected due to the frigid temperatures. We’re not out of the woods yet but the week looks to be milder than it’s been in a long while!
Posted on March 7, 2014 4:54 pm
March 06, 2014 - Toronto - Don Mills
Tracy Simpson Reports:
A belated post but a great one to start out March!
Quest and Skye have been camera shy lately but now that we are coming close to nesting season the pair have become more active around the nest box. Nice to see that the pair are more active around home!
Posted on March 7, 2014 12:29 am
March 06, 2014 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I am the worst when it comes to reporting sad news and I can never find the right words yet this is an important update so here goes.
On Friday of last week, February 28th, I received a call from Ross with Environmental Services at the William Osler Hospital. He informed me that he had located a deceased bird on the medical centre rooftop and that the bird was banded with a solid black recovery band marked R over 55. I knew right away but confirmed it nonetheless that this was Maverick hatched last year at the William Osler nest site. I drove down and met Ross and the two of us went up to the rooftop for a look. When we exited the door I saw the bird down in the middle of the east side of the rooftop and it was without a doubt little boy blue Maverick.
After removing him from the rooftop I took a good look at him and it was evident that he’d been there for some time. How long I can’t say but certainly his passing was not recent. I was incredibly shocked by this as he was the star flyer of the family this past season being the first to fledge and returning to the nest ledge within hours of his first flight. He never once came to the ground or required a rescue and he was witnessed hunting like a pro with his father Hurricane around the hospital grounds. The last time I can confirm his presence was on July 23rd when I was able to get a photograph of Maverick and his two sisters as they sat on the western ledge. I believe that I also have pictures from later in August so what happened to him and when it occurred is truly unknown. Thank you very much to the folks at William Osler for keeping an eye on the family and supporting them so well. While this is a sad loss to report at this time, we look forward to the coming season with great anticipation.
Posted on March 7, 2014 12:21 am
February 28, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Photos copyright of Public Works and Government Services Canada
Over the past few days there have not been too many good photo shooting days. Bill has been out almost every day but only to find Cirrus and Mackenzie hunkered down trying to stay out the wind and the cold.
However, I have some amazing photos of Mackenzie to share that were taken at the Lift Bridge. I would like to thank Public Works and Government Services Canada for allowing me to use them.
Have a look, they are beautiful photos of a beautiful Peregrine Falcon, Mackenzie.
Posted on March 2, 2014 11:08 am
February 21, 2014 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton
Tracy Simpson Reports:
A huge thank you to Murray Shields for sharing this fabulous photo taken when he was at Canada Square. Murray had a visitor outside the 16th floor window and was able to take a photo of Stormin roosting on the ledge. Thanks so much to Murray for the photo and update!
Posted on February 21, 2014 1:14 pm
February 19, 2014 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
CPF Postmaster Reports:
February 19th - 2014
A huge thank you to Christiane from Rochester New York who was watching the Etobicoke web camera at just the right time today when she snapped a shot of the resident adult female peregrine, (O’Connor) as she took flight from the nest tray. What a fantastic shot indeed, especially from a web camera!!
Thank you MUCH Christiane!! We are all a little peregrine starved these days with the bitter cold temps and all of the snow that we have had, so this shot was very well received!!!
Christiane writes:
Hi!
I luckily captured the attached picture from the Etobicoke webcam yesterday around noon time. I believe it is O’Connor. Please forward this onto the volunteers who report on activity at this nest.
What a beauty she is!
Thanks and Regards!
Christiane Moughan
Rochester, NY
Posted on February 20, 2014 3:18 pm
February 07, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
10:00 am to 11:00 am
-16 C / +3 F
-22 C / -7 F with Wind-chill
Sun and Cloud Mix
Cirrus and Mackenzie
This morning when Bill arrived at the Lift Bridge, there was no sign of Cirrus or Mackenzie until he walked under the bridge and rounded the bushes to the pier. There he found Cirrus having a meal and a perfect photo opportunity.
Mackenzie was around, because he could be heard whining, but could not be spotted. After Cirrus finished her meal and had cleaned herself up she took off and as Bill was following her with the camera, Mackenzie must have stooped in and grabbed the meal because when Bill turned around, the carcass was gone. That was it, everyone had disappeared.
Posted on February 7, 2014 8:13 pm
January 29, 2014 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:
January 29th - 2014
Hi Mark
Just a quick note to say hello and let you know that our birds are still hanging out at the Niagara Falls site. One of my coworkers was out at the falls on Friday (1/24) and saw an adult fly overhead with prey. It flew down to the OPG building. Below the falls was almost completely frozen, but the area above is open and lots of gulls and waterfowl have congregated there, so plenty of food. Thought it was cool to get a winter report from this site. These two are usually kind of aloof in the winter.
Hope you are staying warm!
- Jacquie
Posted on February 4, 2014 9:56 am
- All Reports
Kathy Reports:
It’s a sunny day here in Etobicoke and much milder compared to last week. If you’re watching the web cam - Jack and O’Connor are hanging out on the ledge together.
The days are getting longer and I’ve seen our couple out doing some courtship flying together.
Posted on February 3, 2014 6:34 pm
February 03, 2014 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
Monday, February 3, 2014
-3 C/ 26 F
Clear with blue skies
Between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm
Cirrus and Mackenzie
All photos copyright of Bill McCreadie
Well, spring is definitely in the air. It was a beautiful day to be out and about. Cirrus and Mackenzie were feeling amorous. I think we might, once again, be the first hatch for 2014.
When Bill arrived this morning around 10:30 am Cirrus was sitting on the corner of the nest box chirping at Mackenzie who was sitting below her on the old nest ledge. He took off and circled around the Hamilton Bridge Tower and returned and entered the nest box. A short time later, he left the nest box and circled between the towers and …………
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| Spring is in the air! |
When we arrived this afternoon around 12:30 pm, Cirrus was sitting on the very tip of the second arm down of the Hamilton Hydro Tower and Mackenzie was sitting on a beam on the front face of the Hamilton Bridge Tower. Cirrus was chirping away. I guess Mackenzie got the message because he flew around the Hamilton Bridge Tower and mated with her once again.
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| Spring is definitely in the air! |
All of a sudden they both took off towards CCIW, and the next thing we knew, Cirrus was returning with a heavy meal package and Mackenzie was on her tail. They both landed on the bridge abutment in the marina parking lot. Cirrus devoured the meal while Mackenzie kept his distance and whined. As we quickly rounded the bridge abutment Cirrus had disappeared leaving Mackenzie with what appeared to be a small tidbit. He took the remains to the Hamilton Hydro where he sat in the sun and ate. We were never able to find Cirrus again. She was probably off cleaning herself up and would more than likely roost for the rest of the afternoon. When we left around 2:00 PM, Mackenzie was still picking at leftovers on the Hamilton Hydro Tower and Cirrus had not reappeared.
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| Cirrus prepares her lunch. |
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| Cirrus enjoys her lunch. |
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| Poor Mackenzie watches and waits from afar. |
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| Mackenzie finally gets the leftovers. |
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| Cirrus’ partial band. I think it is safe to say that this is Black K/Green 83. |
Here’s hoping that we have many more beautiful days like today.
Posted on February 3, 2014 6:21 pm
