!!! Two New Residents ( non-medical )
April 30, 2009 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
Linda Woods Reports:
In January 2002, volunteers with the Canadian Peregrine Foundationreported numerous sightings of a pair of Peregrine Falcons along University Ave, south of College St. to Dundas St. These two birds would be seen perched on various tall buildings along this stretch of city blocks including the Hydro building, St. Patrick Subway station and Mt. Sinai Hospital.
As the sightings increased and the peregrines developed a pattern of frequenting one particular building, we knew we had another pair of nesting peregrine falcons, looking for a home to choose a nesting area, lay eggs and raise a brood of “chicks”.
The building was Mt. Sinai Hospital.
March 2002, the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, along with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the enthusicastic blessings of Mt.Sinai Hospital, CPF installed a nesting tray on the east side of the hospital to encourage these rare birds to nest. Courtship behaviour continued after installation of the nest tray and everyone was hopeful.
Sightings of the peregrines in the direct area of the hospital continued throughout the month of March and well into April of that year, but slowly dropped off . By June of 2002, only chance sightings of peregrines were reported, perching on the hospital and in the direct area, Hopes of a nest at Mt. Sinai were dashed and no longer possible for 2002. We had soon discovered that this pair of peregrines had moved on and had taken over the active nest at King St.
Over the next 6 years, only occasional sightings of peregrines in the area have been reported, but these birds were actually the adult and offspring from the Sheraton Centre Hotel nest site, not any new birds to this area.
February 2009, while exiting the Queen’s Park Subway station, myself and another volunteer looked up and discovered two peregrines roosting on the far north-east facing ledge. We looked at each other and said “Peregrines!” Both surprised and elated by our find, that after such a long time, finally we have some activity.
Since February 2009, the adult peregrines have been seen on a daily basis in and on the east facing “ledges”. At one time it looked as if they were attempting to nest, but the next day, they were on different ledge areas again. The current behaviour, although encouraging, it is not promising that this pair will produce a clutch of eggs.
We do not have a positive identification of this adult pair, but reports from other observers lead us to believe it is the pair from the uptown area, known as Ranger and Hunter. This pair is has a history of nesting failures that we believe is biological. Observations to date lead us to believe that this pair has not put down any eggs to date, at the Mt. Sinai. Hospital nesting tray.
Monitoring will continue and observations will be posted as they are received. The Canadian Peregrine Foundation welcomes any observations regarding this pair in the area.
