Etobicoke Watch Notes. One Fatality, One in Rehab and Two Doing Outstanding
June 12, 2016 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
The overwhelming nature of the west end watches this year has not left a lot of time for posting so I apologize for these late updates. Bruce Massey has been handling all of the watches so far as the primary and I cannot thank him enough for his efforts and vigilance.
More extensive and detailed notes will be coming but for now here is a brief to catch you up.
Tuesday June 7 - Etobicoke watch begins. Just after 6am the first chick takes flight and is identified as Sprucer. He makes a great flight over to the Kingsway condos and stays high. He makes several more flights staying high each time. At 1:45pm Maverick takes flight and heads over to Kingsway condos. Lost her grip on her landing and flew back towards the nest building. Maverick could not handle the high winds and struck the windows of the nest tower. She died on impact and was recovered by Bruce from the mezzanine roof. Sprucer took a few more flights and ended up low on the Good Life Fitness roof for the night.
Wednesday June 8 - Sprucer still on low roof to start the watch and winds still continue to be high. Cheemong took flight and ended up high over on the Aberfoyle side of the nest tower. She flew again back around and struck the tower. She was rescued from the mezzanine level and was unable to stand. Cheering was rushed to rehab and treated for inflammation. Her condition remains guarded. Oakley took flight and safely landed on a lower roof of Kingsway condos. Sprucer took flight and made it back up to roof level. Oakley took another flight and came to ground. Safely rescued and released to the nest building roof at dark.
Thursday June 9 - Sprucer ripping up the skies! Lucky had to attended to him and settle him down.g Oakley only made a couple of flights yet they were decent. Still no word on Cheemong.
Friday June 10 - Both Oakley and Sprucer flying and maintaining height. Sprucer doing very well and Oakley catching up fast. Both over on the roof of the west tower with O’Connor.
Saturday June 11 - Both juveniles spotted this morning at elevation. Watchers continue to check in on their progress.
The Islington and Bloor nest site has always been a challenge for young birds in that it presents a number of first flight dangers, everything from reflective glass windows to balconies and let’s not forget the traffic and ground predators. Those that survive the fledge period at this site often go on to do great things as adults and we are proud to have many young from Etobicoke now nesting elsewhere. For now the watch has been scaled back to spot checks and we will update you as soon as we receive word on Cheemong.
I would like like to thank Bruce Massey for taking the lead this season as well as all the other watchers that contributed their time to this family. Great job folks, we are well on our way.
Posted on June 12, 2016 10:42 am
Observation for Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre