!!! Finally get to Log In

February 03, 2012 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

Hi there everyone
Since Dec 21, 2011 I’ve tried to log in several times and finally can sign in. Really not too much to report, Freddie and Voltaire are still hanging around the nest site then flying away and coming back and doing a lot of preening. Hey, they’re courting so why should’t they be preening. Dennis and I are looking forward to seeing them with their new babies again this year. If you would like to be a volunteer please let us know.
Gwen & Dennis Site Co-ordinators CPF

Police In UK Swoop To Investigate Alleged Peregrine Persecution

February 03, 2012 - International, National and Local News

Frank Butson Reports:

From the RSBP

Police swoop to investigate alleged peregrine persecution

Last modified: 02 February 2012
The peregrine falcon is the UK’s largest nesting falcon

A multiagency operation investigating alleged crimes against peregrine falcons has been launched across four police areas in England and Wales.

Police officers issued with search warrants, supported by staff from the RSPB, RSPCA, Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales, raided the homes of four pigeon fanciers earlier today. The raids took place within the following constabulary areas: Avon and Somerset Police; South Wales Police; Northumbria Police and West Midlands Police.

A 47-year old man has been arrested by officers at one of the addresses in connection with evidence which has been seized during the operation.

Mark Thomas, an RSPB investigations officer, said: “The peregrine falcon is one of the UK’s most heavily persecuted birds of prey, and we hope that today’s operation will help further our investigations.”

Peregrine Falcon with H5 Virus In Japan

- International, National and Local News

Frank Butson Reports:

<!– –>     Press Release from Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Peregrine falcon and black-headed gull test positive for H5 virus Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Preliminary testing of a dead peregrine falcon in Tung Chung and a dead black-headed gull in Yuen Long have tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 1), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted. On January 30, the dead peregrine falcon and black-headed gull were found and collected in the park of Seaview Crescent, Man Tung Road, Tung Chung and Chun Yin Square Playground, Yuen Long respectively. Peregrine falcons are rare winter visitors to Hong Kong, while the black-headed gull is a common visitor. The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead peregrine falcon was found, but four chicken farms are within three kilometres of where the dead black-headed gull was found. AFCD staff inspected the farms and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks. These farms will be put under enhanced surveillance. In view of these cases, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been sent to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken. The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance. “People should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for follow-up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry,” the spokesman said. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over imported live poultry as well as live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene. The Department of Health will keep up with its health education to remind the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza. The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine. All relevant government departments will continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.

Latest From Canada Square

January 30, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Frank Butson Reports:

Latest report for the Canada Square peregrines, Jan 30th 2012.
Lyn Reports:
I was out and about and went south across Eglinton Ave and checked for the peregrines - not a feather to be seen.
I then went on a couple of errands north of Eglinton Ave and when I was coming back down Yonge street I saw one of the peregrines all fluffed up and sitting on the railing, north east corner, one floor below the nest level on Canada Square. I looked for and found the mate sitting on the highest *window upright*, on the east face of the Heart and Stroke (H & S) building. I had some business in a bank and endured the long line up. When I came out the bird from Canada Square had gone but the one on H & S was still there. I carefully scanned the top of the H & S building and saw the *missing* peregrine tucking into a late lunch. The mate just sat on the perch it was on and was all fluffed up not even bothering the bird who was eating.
Unfortuntely, I of course was out without binoculars. Because it was such a grey day I was unable to get colour on either of the peregrines. Nor was I able to get a size difference as both of them were fluffed against the wind and cool air.

Cheers
Lyn

King St Pair in the Area

January 29, 2012 - Toronto - King Street

Tracy Simpson Reports:

After visitng the Holcim site, Frank and I went down to King St to check in on Erin and her mate.  The male has yet to show us who he is but not for lack of us trying.  Erin was sitting on the retaining wall above the nest ledge and we didn’t have a sight on the male.  She took off after a few minutes and we decided to get a slice of pizza.  Looking out the window as we ate, in flies the male!  Gulp goes the food and we grab our gear for a look.  He drops down into what Linda told me is called “the shoulder” on the northeast corner of the building and emerges a good half hour later all messy.  He had obviously stashed lunch up there.  He sat for some time, even through a quick snowfall that he didn’t like, before taking off to go visit his lady.  She was on the Dundee building digesting her own large crop.  He came back and landed on the top of 20 Toronto St. where I was able to get the scope on him.  In the failing light, I was only able to get one positive look as he took off.  This male has a solid black Canadian band on his right leg.  We’ll be back to try again on a nice sunny day to try and definatively identify the mate of Erin.

The man of mystery relaxes after a quick snack.

Holcim Pair Hanging Tight

January 29, 2012 - Mississauga - Holcim

Tracy Simpson Reports:

After the weekend we had last weekend, we decided to try our luck again with the Holcim pair.  When we arrived, the female was on one of the buildings right in the centre of the property.  Within a couple of minutes, the starlings that were lounging along the east side took to the air and we looked for a potential culprit.  Next thing we see is the male perched above the female in the same area of the plant.  After a few fairly good looks, I can say for sure that he is a Canadian born and bred boy as his solid black band was clearly visible.  We went down to a local park to check out some of the offshore wildlife, figuring that the pair might move in our absence.  By the time we returned, they were still sitting in the same spot as we left them looking like a pair of gargoyles. 

Peregrine Falcon In St Catherines

January 25, 2012 - International, National and Local News

Frank Butson Reports:

All is Well Here

January 27, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre

Kathy Reports:

After a few cold days and some wild rain that turned to snow this morning, the sun has come out and it’s spring like again?!  I hadn’t seen the falcons all week as they were likely somewhere warmer and out of the wind.

As soon as the sun came out I ran outside and sure enough both adults were there on the ledge bowing and chupping to each other!

Stormin and Haven Spotted

January 24, 2012 - Toronto - Canada Square Building - Yonge and Eglinton

Frank Butson Reports:

Lyn Reports:Canada Square Peregrines, Tuesday, January 24 2012.

I was heading south on Yonge street towards the Yonge-Eglinton intersection yesterday, when I saw a peregrine fly east from the intersection over the buildings on the north side of Eglinton Ave east. I hurried down to the intersection but missed it over the building. I stood on the corner staring along Eglinton east and saw three small birds fly across Eglinton, north to south and they were hurrying! Continued watching after they had gone and saw the peregrine giving chase.

  I hung out at the corner a few minutes longer to be rewarded with the sight of a peregrine, carrying lunch, struggling against the wind, trying to land on the south east corner of Rio-Can where it had its meal. A second peregrine was in the air diving on the feeding bird and circling both the Rio-Can and Heart and Stroke buildings as well as flying over the Canada Square building. A brief sighting but the two peregrines are still definitely in the area.

Cheers

Lyn

Peregrines Spotted At Tommy Thompson Park

January 21, 2012 - International, National and Local News

Frank Butson Reports:

A friend posted a few photos on a local birding board, so I contacted him for a story and use of his photos. Colin Marcano has sent us the following photos and report of 2 Peregrine Falcons he saw at Toronto’s Tommy Thompson Park(Leslie Street Spit), on Saturday Jan 21st .  One photo Colin got shows the band 46/Y, black over black which belongs to a Peregrine named Peter who was banded at the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel, in June of 2010.  Peter has been spotted at “the Spit” before . The 2nd Peregrine is a female,who there is no ID on.  Colin told me that he found both Peregrines perched for about 30minutes,before they headed off to the northwest.  Its always great news to get band information and to know Peter has a potential mate is even better.

Careful inspection shows Peter’s band number above.

Other photos by Colin can be seen at www.colinmarcano.com