!!! Peregrine Released Successfully In Scarborough
October 12, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
Mark Nash of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation called and asked if Id be interested in hosting the release of a Peregrine Falcon. At Rosetta McClain Gardens Raptor Watch in Scarborough, which is on a migration route. We have seen 91 Peregrine Falcons this season so far. This sub-adult female had been trapped in downtown Toronto behind a glass balcony. It was evaluated by the Toronto Wildlife Centre and deemed good to go, so the bird was transferred to CPF and Mark brought her to Rosetta to be released.
When the carrier was opened, the unbanded sub-adult female Peregrine sat in the box for a long period of time looking around, gathering herself, before finally flying out. She circled over Lake Ontario before heading off to the east. Awhile later a Peregrine went by flying west, very strong and somewhat out over the lake.
Much thanks to Mark for giving us the honour of seeing this magnificant Peregrine returned to where she belongs. Thanks to Toronto Wildlife Centre for treating the Peregrine and allowing CPF the honour of doing the release. Thanks to those gathered for not crowding the Peregrine. All of our keen photographers respected the process and allowed the bird to have a clear path to freedom.
Mark explained that when CPF does a release, unlike others we DO NOT throw (cast) the bird skyward, we allow the bird to decide when it wishes to fly. Casting the bird, after its been in a carrier/rehabbed possibly/upset by being caught in the first place is an accident waiting to happen. This bird, as the other release CPF did at Rosetta 2 years ago, went off without a hitch. The Peregrine flew freely when it decided to. It circled over the lake, finding its wings and then flew off strongly. Its a beautiful thing. May she have a safe journey.
