!!! Both peregrines back on the nest ledge! Some unusual behaviour observed over the past months with regards to the resident adult female!
March 23, 2015 - Toronto - King Street
CPF Postmaster Reports:
March 23rd - 2015
Some great cam shots sent in from Laura of the peregrine interacting on the nest ledge. That being said, we are all quite concerned with regards to the overall health of the resident adult female here at the Toronto King Street nest site.
As many of you are aware, she has been observed laying down on the nest ledge off and on for several months now. While this may not seem to many as being anything more than a peregrine just snoozing or relaxing,, this type of activity and behaviour for an adult peregrine that is not producing, incubating or brooding eggs and offspring is not normal in a healthy adult peregrine.
While it is absolutely true that adult peregrines “periodically” lay down for a number of reasons - (some of which are mentioned above), a healthy adult peregrine for the most parts, remains standing upright for their entire lives, even when they sleep.
Older / advanced aged, (which is the case for Erin, the resident adult female at this nest site) can take its toll along with the many factors that cause them discomfort, and they start laying down. Sickness also could be the cause, with a weakened immune system.
Lastly, one that has never been investigated or proven, is depression. Remembering that both Windwhistler and Erin have been mates at the King Street nest site for well over 12 years now, and also remembering that both of these birds never migrated and left this nest site (or left each others side in all of this time). They have never been apart or left the territory in over plus 12 years.
Hmmmm, could Erin actually be pining for her old mate Windwhistler?
I guess we’ll never know that answer to that question,, but time will soon tell more of the story if she refuses to accept or mate with her new suitor,, or worse?
These most recent photos taken today may be (in part) telling the story!
Stay tuned………
