November 05, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Frank and I stopped in at the Sun Life Centre today and found Angel perched on the nest tray and Jack roosting directly above her on the retaining roof. Both adults looked as though they were thoroughly enjoying the late afternoon sun as they each had their chin feathers flared out as far as they would go!! Moments after we arrived, both birds left their perches and within 10 minutes Angel had returned to take up Jack’s position on the retaining wall. Before we left, Angel had moved to her favorite perch, the top of the web camera, and we were able to snap a few photos, enjoy!!
Posted on November 5, 2011 11:11 pm
October 28, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Frank and I arrived at the Sun Life building at approximately 3:00pm today to find Angel sitting on the nest building enjoying the full sun of the afternoon. She was roosting on the southern most corner, taking her time preening her feathers and digesting the rather large crop that was visible. We looked for Jack but there was no sign of him in the area. Kathy joined us shortly after we arrived and shared her wonderful observations from yesterday of Jack and Angel in some amazing flights together. This time of year it is so nice to see the adults, without kids in tow, enjoying the spring like feeling in the air and reconfirming their commitment to each other.
Posted on October 28, 2011 9:08 pm
October 27, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Seems something is in the air here these days too. Today I went out for a break and heard two birds making happy sounds, they sounded like the juvenile falcons when they play so I looked up and to my surprise it was our resident pair. They were playing tag and doing some cool flying maneuvers together.Â
 At one point, it was almost as if they were one bird as they covered each other and flew around together doing loops..it was very cool to watch. They were making sounds I can’t really describe, it wasn’t the usual echupping sequences I hear between them..it sounded almost like happy chirpping…silly birds 
Posted on October 27, 2011 5:02 pm
October 06, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
All is well here at the Etobicoke Sunlife nest site. Both Jack and Angel have been around alot the past few days and are in rebonding mode!   Â
Last night when I left both were on the nest ledge chupping to each other and this morning when I arrived, Angel was on her hunting perch and Jack was guarding the nest box  :)
Posted on October 6, 2011 8:02 am
September 26, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Tracy Simpson Reports:
First off, let me apologize for the late posting as I have been unable to access the internet lately. That said, I have had the distinct pleasure of delivering our Project School Visit to Etobicoke schools this past week and took the opportunity to drop in on the Sun Life family for a check in. It was later in the afternoon on Sept. 23rd and Sept. 26th when I was at the site, and as expected I wasn’t able to locate either Angel or Jack, the resident adults, nor was I able to see either of the juvenile boys, Hera and Skye. Now that we are entering high time for migration of the young birds, the adults are less defensive of the nest ledge and travel further afield then they would have a short few months ago. The window washing team that was working on the nest building were able to work away without any interference from either adult the entire few hours that I spent on site which clearly indicates that “nesting” is now complete for the year. The adults will still use the building and ledge as a night roost and rest spot but it looks like Skye and Hera have the migration jitters and will be gone south very soon. We wish them the best on their journey and look forward to seeing Jack and Angel continue to call the Sun Life building home.
Posted on October 1, 2011 8:33 pm
August 08, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
It’s been very quiet the past few weeks with barely any sightings of any falcons, even Angel - who has been finding new places to perch away from the sun and heat.  But today there was a nice breeze and it wasn’t as hot so she was back on the ledge for awhile once the sun moved around the corner.Â
Sadly there has been no sightings of the boys for the past 3 weeks at all. One can only hope they are safe and are taking care of themselves in this dreadful heat.  Â
Today for the first time in a long time, I observed Jack flying in with lunch for Angel. She was in the nestbox and the normal greetings between them ensued and she accepted his food offering.  When I left she was back on her beloved perch dozing with a nice full crop.
Posted on August 8, 2011 4:33 pm
July 22, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Angel was visible this morning hanging out in the shade and sadly I could hear that a juvie was back and crying for food. He must have cried for 15 minutes straight. I tried to locate him but he must have been on one of the roof tops as no other falcon was visible. After the overwhelming heat of the past several days, it’s disheartening to hear one of them back home and begging for food like that. Hopefully he succeeds in catching himself some food soon as Angel didn’t seem swayed by his pleas.
2:20 pm update: Was just outside for about 15 minutes as I heard a juvie crying again. One of the boys is on the ADP sign and crying on and off but no parent is in sight that I could see anywhere. I watched him for a bit and came back and got my binoculars to check on him. I couldnt’ see a bulging crop on him but he looks healthy from my vantage point. He has his wings down to cool off which is understandable given it’s another brutal day out there.  I will check on him again before I leave just to ensure he’s okay but the fact that’s he so high up and coud land on that difficult space is a good sign.
Maybe he’s just complaining about the heat
5:25 Update: When I left the office, our little juvie was dozing on the the ADP sign and Angel was next to the nestbox, she seemed relaxed about him being there so I’m encouraged by that and hopefully it’s just the heat that he’s finding challenging.  Mom doesn’t seem bothered by him being home and made no attempt to chase him away at all. Expected to start cooling down a bit on Sunday.
Posted on July 22, 2011 10:09 am
July 20, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
The heat is really weighing down on everyone, including our falcon family. I have only seen mom two times in the past week and that was very briefly, no doubt she’s perching somewhere shady these days. No sighting of Jack for over a week either.Â
The boys were last sighted last Wednesday when one of them was aggressively harassing mom for food, hopefully he was just acting spoiled and is not having difficulty hunting. Last year I witnessed the same behaviour from Blackberry so I’m hoping this isn’t a case of deja vu.  I havent’ seen or heard either of them since then so they may have dispersed already, hopefully they will stay safe as they explore the world out there.
It’s been a strange year again especially since Jupiter’s passing and with this unbearable heat which was preceded by record cold and rainfall early on.  That being said, it’s been amazing to see how they adapt to situations and do what they can to safeguard their offspring and give them a better chance at survival.
Posted on July 20, 2011 9:02 am
July 11, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Was just outside on lunch and both boys and mom were flying around with mom in the lead as usual.  Lots of diving and swooping by all. Not sure if she’s giving them lessons or trying to outrun them as they chase and yell after herÂ
I have noticed that since Jupiter’s unfortunate accident, she has been taking them away from our towers alot more than in previous years  to several others over the other side of the subway tracks where she can teach them to hunt without risk of them colliding with the glass windows.  Several of my coworkers who reside over that way have also reported they’ve seen mom and the boys out there the past two weekends.
Both Hera and Skye are flying so well now that it’s difficult to distinguish them from the parents at times.
Posted on July 11, 2011 12:27 pm
July 05, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
Sky and Hera are both doing well so far, lots of flying, playing tag and chasing mom around the buildings whenever they can. She starts it all herself though!
Today Jack was by for a little bonding at the nestbox and while Angel did oblige him for a few minutes, she seemed to be more interested in playing with the boys. After a few minutes of bowing and scraping with Jack, she promptly left him on his own - much to his astonishment - and took off, flying over the next rooftop to rouse the boys and engage them in some tag and chase.
It was great to see them all having so much fun. The heat of the past few days means they have been pretty scarce during the day but I’m happy to report that both are doing fine so far!
Posted on July 5, 2011 7:10 pm
