Burlington - Lift Bridge

A Very Noisy Morning

May 21, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Today was the first banding day in Ontario.  Given some changes to the protocol at the Lift Bridge, things were handled a little differently today.  At about 9:30 this morning Clare from the Lift Bridge accompanied Mark Nash from CPF to the nest box in the tower.  The board was placed across the opening and the little ones extracted.  They were brought to the garage in the parking lot for banding.  Anne Yagi and her assistant Karine Beriault from the Ministry of Natural Resources did the honors.  I’m really happy to report that we have 4 very healthy and VERY noisy baby peregrines.  The noise in the garage was unbelievable.  Cirrus and McKenzie did not take too kindly to being separated from the kids.  Within minutes of the young being put back into the nest box Cirrus was there to check on them and to inspect their new jewelry. 

 

The details are as follows:

 

Lancaster:  Male - 702 grams - 25 days old - black band 90/Y with yellow tape

Isabelle:  Female 974 grams - 25 days old - black band S/26 with red tape

Sarah: Female - 1014 grams - 26 days old - banded band S/27 with green tape

Hadfield:  Female - 987 grams - 26 days old - black band S/28 with blue tape

 

Many thanks to Ann and Karine from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Lee Chan, Clare, John and Todd from PWGSC for their assistance today.

 

Photos will follow shortly.

Getting Bigger

May 18, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Definitely getting bigger.  Over the last couple of days Bill and I have finally been able to see the little ones.  Still not sure how many.

CALLING ALL WATCHERS!! THIS IS A CRITICAL MESSAGE FOR YOU!!

May 09, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Tracy Simpson Reports:

With nest sites throughout southern Ontario all hatching eggs this week the Fledge Watch program will be in full swing throughout June at multiple sites and all at the same time this year.  This critical positive intervention program that was pioneered by the CPF in Ontario has been in operation since 1996 and each year has supported the offspring of nesting pairs with resounding success.  Were it not for the stewardship efforts and the gift of time from all of our volunteers, many of the Ontario hatched resident adults that are currently producing young of their own would not be alive today.  This message is a call to you to join us in June for one of the most incredible things we get to experience supporting this species at risk.

What do you need to be a Fledge Watch volunteer?  Well, I’m glad you asked; two things.  The first would be the generous gift of your time during the month of June for which we are all so grateful.  Whether you can spare an hour, a day, a week or every waking moment, it all contributes to the success of the program, the survival of the inexperienced peregrine offspring and the ongoing monitoring efforts of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation.  The second thing that you will need is the sincere desire to be a part of something so amazing that it will be one of those memorable experiences that you will never forget.  I won’t tell you tales here, there are days that are slow.  These are the days that are filled with learning more about the birds, stories, camaraderie, training and connecting with the local community; all rewarding in their own right.  There are also days where its absolute pandemonium and we all wish the fledglings would just stop moving for all of one second so we can count heads and catch our breath.  Regardless of the type of day it is, I can say this from my personal experience and it is a sentiment that all of our watchers both new and seasoned share.  You will go home knowing that you helped make a difference in the life of a species at risk in Ontario and that you have given each and every juvenile at your chosen watch site a chance at survival that they otherwise wouldn’t have.  It is incredibly rewarding knowing that your presence made all the difference in the world. 

Last year the Fledge Watch teams collectively rescued 21 juvenile peregrine falcons from imminent mortality and gave them a second chance at life.  If you would like to be a part of one of these critical support teams this June, we would love to hear from you.  Please send us an email to raptor4@peregrine-foundation.ca with your name, a contact number, your site of interest and a general indication of the time you can share.  We will be following up with you with further details about the site you are going to attend and the expected start date for that watch.  Fasten your seatbelts and return your trays to the upright position for lift off in June!!  As always it promises to be one amazing flight after another!!!

 

 

First photos of the new hatchlings! Very cute, but still very tiny!!!

May 01, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

CPF Postmaster Reports:

May 1st - 2013
Shots taken through the nest box peep hole just moments after a feeding today. The young hatchlings are hardly able to keep their tiny heads upright and eyes open (and only for a few seconds), just long enough to take a thimble size portion of food from mom, then back to sleep nestled amongst each other under mom.

Despite the much milder (and MUCH warmer temperatures), Cirrus is still keeping a very tight lid on her new hatchlings! While we highly suspect that all four eggs may have hatched, we can still only confirm three hatchlings. Sleeping where you fall is the order of the day for the young hatchlings
Mom is very quick to keep them all tucked in and covered up.

We’ll all have to wait and see until they get a little older.
Stay tuned………….

One For Sure

May 01, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

I am very happy to report that Bill and I saw one little white ball of fluff.  Here’s hoping that there will be more.  I think the Lift Bridge has the first hatch in Ontario.

First Food Delivery to Nest Box

April 28, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

After a couple of visits to the Lift Bridge today, we finally witnessed a food delivery to the nest box.  Mom left the box and searched for scraps.  First to the picnic tables and then to the Hamilton Hydro Tower.  She picked up a very small package from the Hydro Tower and returned to the nest box. 

This afternoon, Bill also witnessed an all out attack on a Red-Tailed Hawk by both Mom and Dad.  Unfortunately there are no photos as the pursuit continued on the other side of the Skyway Bridge.

We Have a Hatch????

April 25, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

If I were a betting woman, I would put money on the fact that we have a hatch.  After a couple of trips to the Lift Bridge today watching Mom’s behaviour, I would say that we have a hatch.  We went down the road by the washrooms and from there, through the scope, we could see that she is no longer down flat.  Her wings were spread as if mantling and she was very restless.  We saw what we thought were tiny little white balls of fluff popping out from under her wing.  We have not witnessed any food deliveries as yet, but may have just missed them.  Dad dropped by the nest box for a short visit and then flew to the face of the Hamilton Tower.

First Eggs in Southern Ontario Have Arrived!!!!!!!!!

March 26, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Tracy Simpson Reports:

I stopped by the Burlington Lift Bridge today to follow up on the excellent observations of Bill and Sue of Cirrus laying down in the back of the nest box out of view.  I met up with Todd who assisted me in getting a look at and monitor to confirm the news…  …Cirrus has eggs!!!!!  Upon arrival at the box, I could see that Cirrus was laying down and was sound asleep protecting the precious package beneath her.  She stirred very little and only moved once to reposition herself.  It was then that I was able to see at least one egg in the nest bowl but I am sure there are others by the way in which the egg was placed; it was leaning against another that was just out of my view. While we are unsure as to the total number of eggs, I can confirm that she is in full time incubation as of today and that the first egg, in talking with the bridge staff, was in the box by March 19th.  Given that subsequent eggs follow within 48 hours of each other at the outset, March 23rd is the latest when the clutch would have reached completion for a full set of four eggs.  A huge thank you to the bridge staff and watchers Bill and Sue for your vigilance, support and great observations and congratulations to Cirrus and McKenzie for being the first of 2013 in southern Ontario!!!!!!

Pictures to follow.

Incubation???

March 17, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

Twice today we were at the Lift Bridge and it would appear that Mom is in incubation mode.  She was laying down in the back corner she uses when incubating.  Dad was sitting beneath her on the old nest ledge.   This is the first time we have witnessed this, this year.

Mackenzie Enjoys His Pigeon

March 10, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge

Sue McCreadie Reports:

On March 8 and March 10, we spent a few hours at the Lift Bridge.  Yesterday, Dad plucked a pigeon out of the air and as we watched he flew by Mom showing off screaming the whole time.  He circled the Hamilton Tower and finally managed to gain enough altitude to land on the roof of the tower where he prepared his meal.  Pretty amazing to watch for such a little guy.  Mom was sitting in the Hamilton Hydro Tower, paying very little attention to him.  After having his fill, he took to the air once again, circling and screaming and then finally deposited the remains under the Skyway Bridge for a snack later.  We have been able to confirm both band numbers.  Mom is still Cirrus, Black K/Green 83 and Dad is Mackenzie Black 29/Y.