!!! 3 Fledged !! Well, sort of…..
June 06, 2016 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:
June 6th - 2016
A very long day indeed, with the successful banding of the 3 hatchlings from the Canada Square nest site at Yonge & Eglinton this morning, and a successful rescue of “Achilles” (Y over 26 - Yellow Tape) late this afternoon from the ground after he was blown off the nest ledge by the high winds that moved in with the cold front. Shortly there after, “Jet”, (Y over 27 - While tape) the second male took his first flight and ended up on the ledge one level below the nest ledge (5th Floor). Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more chaotic, the third male, “Geddy” (Y over 25 - Blue tape) was also blown of the nest ledge and ended up two floors down on the 4th floor ledge of the south side of the nest building,,,, almost directly below Jet!!
In less than an hour, three of the four young peregrines had become fledglings!! Well, sort of……
When we arrived, all was calm and rather uneventful. Sunny warm bright skies with some humidity. All four hatchlings were lounging in and on top of the nest box with Quest standing guard directly in front them on the nest ledge in front of the nest box. Quite a picturesque warm family moment with all the kids and mom together. Sadly although, Mac, (the new resident adult male) was no where to be found.
Shortly after our arrival, Mac - (the new resident adult male) appeared with food, and flew in to the nest ledge with a small food drop , and that’s when all hell broke lose, with screaming flapping chicks all scrambling and competing for the small morsel of food. With Quest in the middle of it, trying to divvy it up between the four hatchlings, it quickly became every hatchling for themselves and the squabbling started.
Moments later, the bright warm sunny skies quickly disappeared and swallowed up and as a cold front moved in with some very heavy gusty winds and dark over cast skies along with some very dark moisture filled clouds, and that’s when it all happened!!! We were very fortunate that Cathy Kerr was able to respond to Marion’s call and was able to stop by after leaving work, in addition to Bob who also came out to assist,, as admittedly, both Marion and I were a little overwhelmed with three of the young peregrines all on the go at the same time, this along with the heavy winds and rain that was now upon us.
By the end of the day, we were able to release Achilles back to the nest building roof top and settle Quest down, (who had taken flight moments after he had been blown off the nest ledge) flying both around and above the nest building in an obvious effort to locate him.
By dark, all four hatchlings were all safe and sound on the nest building with some altitude. The young female hatchling remained on the nest ledge throughout and eventually retired for the evening back inside the nest box. She also received several more feedings while her two brothers were left running back and forth on the lower ledges screaming and flapping for attention and food!
Quest eventually settled down and retired to her usual roosting spot across the street from the nest building while Mac disappeared once again. We still don’t know where he is hanging out of sight.
I suspect that tomorrow is going to be a very busy day!