December 01, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Bruce Massey Reports:
FYI , Over the last month or so I had the occasion to briefly go by Osler Hospital. There was at least 1 PeFa in attendance, couldn’t tell if Male or Female (Driving) and it was on the North Sign.
Have been by Yellow Pages twice ( Mid November - Female In attendance and end of November- Male in attendance).
As with the North York pair I hadn’t seen the Female in a month or so, until the end of the Month were I saw a Female just North of Finch. and the Male since the middle of November.
Finally I was at Bell Building area and had a male sitting on the Corner of the Building by the Nest Box.
Thanx Bruce
Posted on December 1, 2009 7:30 pm
July 19, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Bruce Massey Reports:
Spent around 10-12 Hrs at the William Ossler Nest Site over the last 2 days. Did 2 AM Shifts, and 1 PM. Unfortunately, most of the Observations were in the first Hour of the Morning, when the light was bad. However, saw what I thought was the 2 Adults, and at least 1 of the Juviniles, Apollo. I however did not see the Female Juvinile, Katarina. This however, wasn’t all that surprising as she was the best of the 3 Juviniles, she never came to ground, and on her first flight she didn’t come to the ground, instead she made it back to the nest in 5 flights the same day. Another reason I’m not worried is that each day the Female Adult left by 0600 Hrs. and wasn’t seen again and I suspect was keeping a eye on Katrina.
That said, Apollo definitely has an Attitude, he started Sunday by rousting some gulls over by the Plaza to the North of the Hospital. The gulls were not amused. Anyway, stand by for future observations from this site.
Posted on July 19, 2009 6:44 pm
July 03, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
In summary: Day 2
AM – When checked, the Magarita was found on the wall perch at the back of the pen. She was standing in a perfectly aligned posture and was roosting quietly. My movement drew her attention and her eyes looked bright and alert.
Afternoon: – Magarita was observed on the back wall perch of the pen roosting quietly. Mutes present on the ground are small but well formed.
PM – Magarita was given 97 grams of food that was moistened and medicated. At opening the door, the she turned to face me and hissed slightly indicating her dissatisfaction of my presence. The food was taken within 30 seconds of placement and ½ of the meal was immediately consumed. Once again in true peregrine fashion, the choice food parts was consumed first, (the vital organs, breast meat and some bone). After filling her crop, she returned to the wall perch, scratched both wings and roused and then settled in quietly for the evening.
Stay tuned……
Posted on July 4, 2009 9:03 am
July 02, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Mark Nash Reports:
Magarita was transferred from the Toronto Wildlife Centre to the CPF Raptor centre this afternoon, weighed in at 1110 grams (2.4 lbs) on an empty crop, and quickly settled in to an indoor pen that has been specially prepared for her while she will be is in our care during her convulsive period. While she is obviously incapable of flight due to her injury, she had no problem accessing the floor perch that has been set up in the pen, (set up at approx. 22 inches above the floor). She was provided approx. 98 grams of food along with her prescribed medication and in true peregrine fashion, she quickly consumed seventy five percent of the food given, then stashed the balance of the food in the corner of the pen behind the nest tray.
After her meal was consumed, Magarita raised her feathers and completed a partial rouse. During the observation period, it was noted that she passed several mutes that although not large, in their volume, they looked clear and normal. Within ½ hour, she returned to her food stash and consumed the balance of the meal. She then jumped up to the back wall perch and settled in for sleep. It was noted that both wings were held tight to the body in a perfectly upright position while standing and a normal roosting posture was observed.
In summery, the first day has been good. Her overall condition is excellent, as she carrying a very good weight and has an excellent appetite. She is obviously having no problem consuming her prescribed medications and has accepted both the food source and her new temporary environment.
Magarita’s overall behavior, attitude, body posturing and spirits are excellent, and we are very confident that her short stay with us will be positive and hopefully lead to a quick rehabilitation period so that she can return back to the wild to be reunited with her waiting family.
Stay tuned……..
Posted on July 4, 2009 8:48 am
July 02, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Mark Nash Reports:
This morning we received some good news from Toronto Wildlife Centre with regards to Magarita. The vet has indicated that her injuries are not life threatening and with a few weeks of convalescent care, she should be ready to be released back to the wild and her family. Margarita will be transferred to the CPF raptor centre where she will spend the next few weeks recovering.
Stay tuned……
Posted on July 2, 2009 11:12 am
July 01, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Mark Nash Reports:
I received a telephone call this morning regarding Magarita’s diagnosis and the results of her x-rays. The x-rays clearly showed that Magarita has sustained a fracture to her keel and it is this reason that she is unable to sustain flight and hold any altitude. At some point during one of her many landings, she has obviously hit something very hard, (likely one of the concrete ledges). One of the many challenges and problems when the eyrie is located on unforgiving concrete ledges, the unskilled juveniles often land hard when returning to the nest ledge and often use the concrete back walls to brake their first incoming / return trips back to the building ledges. Unlike more natural cliff nesting sites that typically offer a far more forgiving and much softer landing strip, the hardened concrete ledges can sometimes be a disadvantage for the young fledglings when returning to the nest ledges for the first couple of times until they learn how to land properly. Landing for the fledglings is skill that must be learned over time by trial and error, and is one that takes allot of practice.
Magarita is being put on a general antibiotic and pain medication, but sadly must be held over for a short time for her injuries to heal. Otherwise, her overall condition is very good and she is expected to recover. The vet will be doing yet another physical examination of her tomorrow and will advice us further as to her condition.
Stay tuned…..
Posted on July 1, 2009 11:13 am
June 30, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Mark Nash Reports:
Late this morning brought yet another call from the hospital security staff, with Todd on the phone in the middle of rounding up yet another downed juvenile peregrine on the hospital grounds. After a short conversation with Todd and some basic rescue instructions 101,, Todd and staff jumped into action and were successful in their efforts in rescuing the down fledgling. The young fledgling was identified by her band number as Magarita. She was placed in a rescue carrier and held in safe keeping until someone could be dispatched to attend.
While we expect that most of the young fledglings will at some time come to the ground during their first couple of maiden flights and need to be rescued from the ground, this situation is most concerning with regards to Magarita’s third time down to the ground. After having been rescued from the ground once after her first flight, she was observed holding her altitude and being able to return to the nest ledge on her own steam for several other good flights on consecutive days there after, it is obvious that Magarita has sustained some not so obvious injuries after the fact that is now preventing her from sustain flight.
Bruce was dispatched and picked up Magarita, and she was transported to the CPF Raptor centre for further examination. After a brief examination, it was concluded that despite the fact that she looks in very good condition and that there were no signs of any injuries or broken bones, it will now be necessary for a more detailed examination and x-rays in an effort to determine the reasons that Magarita can not hold her altitude. She was transported to the Toronto Wildlife centre for x-rays and further testing.
Stay tuned…….
Posted on June 30, 2009 12:18 pm
June 29, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Mark Nash Reports:
I attended the William Osler Health Care Centre again today after Magarita was rescued yet again from the ground - (her second time) by the hospital security, to take a final look at her one last time before releasing her back to the roof and to her family. While we are unsure how she was able to damage the leading edge primary feathers on her left wing, it appears that that this injury is very minor, and that she can be released back to her family.
After spending a quiet stress free dry evening, Magarita was released back to her family today without innocent. She was full of energy and has quite an attitude indeed!! Ready to take my head off, she was clearly unimpressed with the overall experience and did not hesitate to let me know that she was not amused with short stay in captivity.
She was released back to the roof top of the Hospital and quickly took up a position atop of the upper retaining wall on the north west corner of the Hospital. Sadly, the heavy rain today really didn’t offered any decent flying opportunities and most of her family spent much of their afternoon roosting on their favorite spots. Magarita stayed on the north west upper corner of the roof top while her other two siblings, “Katarina” and “Apollo” stayed perched together on the top of the east side hospital sign.
We are a little concerned as to why Magarita was retrieved from the ground for a second time and not able to get any altitude as she was doing so well in short flights back and forth from the hydro towers and the roof top. She will be monitored a little more closely over the next few days to see if she keeps her altitude now that she has been put up to the roof top yet again. This is the second time that she has come to the ground.
Photos were taken of her just prior to and just after her release back to the roof area. I finally departed just after 4pm this afternoon as the three young juveniles held firm in their roosting spots with no activity having been observed.
Both adults were also accounted for at this time, on the south and north upper building ledges while trying to avoid the driving rains.
Posted on June 30, 2009 10:24 am
June 22, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
It’s 5:47am. Who calls at this time of the morning? Bruce Massey, that’s who! The two female juveniles decided that they were going to toy with him today and shake up his routine a little. He parked the car, got out his chair and binoculars and just as he was lowering himself into watch position… …BLAM!! Both female chicks took their first flights off of the ledge in TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS!! Both Katarina and Margherita came down low but managed to stay off of the ground and land instead on the south side; one on the 6th floor and one on the 7th. It didn’t take Katarina long to figure out that she had no interest in being there. Within 5 flights she was back on the nest ledge and feeling rather proud of herself ( way to go!! ). Margherita made similar attempts to regain elevation and was able to maintain her current altitude. After a few attempts she ended up… …you guessed it! On the tiniest little post she could fit her big feet on!!
There she stayed until Bruce decided to run for coffee. As if to get me back for the trick they played on Bruce this morning, the minute he was out of earshot… …WOO HOO off she goes! This time she came down to the ground where a quick rescue could be made, a check on her physical condition done and into the carrier she went. Thanks so much to the William Osler staff member who assisted in gathering up the rescue box.
During all of this excitement, Apollo and Katarina were having a grand time testing out their new wings, all under the watchful eye of their resident parents O’Connor and Hurricane. Much to the parents chagrin, the kids had now discovered the hydro tower to the east and were regularly over there harassing them for food. Up until now, this had been the parents paradise; a roosting spot where it was nice and peaceful and yet the juveniles could be watched. Although not perfect yet, the landings of Apollo and Katarina on this new spot were still controlled and on target; an impressive feat for two birds who have literally just taken their first flights!
As darkness came upon us, it was time for the release of Margherita. Not only is this female big, she’s full of spunk!! I knew I was in for it! Bruce and I picked her up in security ( Amazing people! Thanks guys! ) and with a maintenance escort, we were off to the roof. Just inside the access door, Marherita was looked over once more to make sure that she was good to go and we were off. On the roof and back in business. Good job Marherita!!
Posted on June 29, 2009 7:08 pm
June 21, 2009 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:
To start this update, I really need to thank Bruce Massey and Kathy Smith for their time and dedication at this site. They have helped so much with bridging the time gaps that take the rest of us back to our day to day lives ( work, how boring… ). Also, a huge thank you to the folks at the William Osler Hospital in security, maintenance and every other department imaginable. Your eyes to the skies and interest in this young family of peregrines has been second to none. Thank you greatly for all of your help!!
This morning Bruce and Kathy were able to watch the antics of our little energizer bunny Apollo. This male juvenile has the more spunk and curiosity than you can imagine! You really need to see him in action, he’s a blast. Once he has mastered the art of flight, he will be a force to be reckoned with. Right now, he sits atop the retaining wall of the building where we deposited him the night before. By 6:00am, he was already bouncing around up there and shortly thereafter was fed generously by Mom. By the afternoon, Apollo had had enough of being up on the roof and made his first attempt back to the nest ledge; a short plunk down from the roof to the “H” on the east side. Not his most spectacular moment. A few snacks and naps later, another plunk down from the sign to the ledge with complete success; he was home!! Although this move may look simple enough, it really is quite a feat of confidence and control as the crosswinds at that height had to be factored in to his jump. Good job Apollo!! He run-jumped-skipped over to greet his two siblings Katarina and Margherita who were busy preening on the southeast corner. They looked at each other, looked at him and went back to preening. Apollo checked the southeast ledge for snack packs ( food caches ) and then settled in for a moment… …but could no longer contain himself!! He ran down the ledge towards his sisters with wings stretched as wide as he could and attempted to plow them off the ledge! Mere inches from the juvenile females, they turned and gave him a look that stopped him dead in his tracks. There was no way the we’re going to play right now… …period!! One last look ( yucky girls!! ) and bounding down the ledge goes Apollo, flapping and pouncing the whole way along. By the end of the day, their energy spent, the three juveniles settled down on the southeast corner together in one big, brown heap with Mom nearby watching over. Boy is Apollo ever happy to be home.
Posted on June 23, 2009 6:02 pm
