Etobicoke - William Osler

!!! Fledge watch - we need your help!

June 17, 2013 - Toronto - King Street

CPF Postmaster Reports:

Attention all fledge watchers and peregrine enthusiasts! The fledge watches have started and we need your help!

June 17th - 2013
As some of you may be aware, we are currently eyeball deep in 7 different fledge watches that are now running simultaneously, and needless to say, we are incredibly stressed for manpower to cover all of the fledge watches. Never in the 17 years that we have been running fledge watches have we ever had this many fledge watches occurring all at the same time.

This in addition to having so many nest sites to deal with where the hatches have all happened within such a short period of time, thus having all of the young fledge at the same time.

While the season has only just started, we have already rescued and saved 9 fledglings from the ground and returned them back to the rooftops and nest ledges back to their parents care.

That being said, we need your support to join us in the streets at one of many nest sites here in the GTA.

You will see members of the fledge watch team in the streets at the following nest sites:
Please bear in mind that we are limited in volunteers currently at some of these sites and you may have to do some searching for us as some of these sites have vast areas to cover.

Please join us and help us help your young peregrines make it through this challenging time.
Ongoing fledge watches:
Toronto Sheraton Centre hotel nest site - downtown Toronto - Bay & Queen
MEC nest site -1 Robert Spec Parkway - Huriontario and Hwy # 403 Mississauga
225 Duncan Mill road nest site - Don Mills
ICICI nest site - Don Valley Parkway and Eglinton Ave East, Toronto
Etobicoke Sun Life centre - Bloor & Islington - Etobicoke
18 King Street nest site - Victoria Street & King Street - Downtown Toronto
Canada Square nest site - Yonge & Eglinton - Toronto
Kitchener CTV - King Street - Kitchener Ont.
William Osler Hospital - Hwy # 27 & Humber Valley Blvd - Starting June 20th

Starting end of the week: June 22nd:
Scarborough Yellow Pages - 325 Milner Ave & Progress Ave

Banding Day at William Osler a Huge Success

June 03, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

On June 3rd, we gathered together to band the offspring of Chessie and Hurricane at the William Osler Hospital and celebrate this site’s first ever foursome!  We met up with Ross Bartlett from Environmental Services with the hospital and headed up to the 11th floor mechanical room for set up.  We were joined by several of the staff from the hospital including Lyndsay Carter from Corporate Communications who was there to gather the pertinent details for the naming contest for these four chicks. 

This site is one of the easiest extractions to do as the nest tray is right behind the “H” sign on the hospital and there is an access hatch right there.  We waited for Hurricane to finish a feeding and then once gone, opened the hatch and removed the foursome for banding.  Neither Hurricane nor Chessie knew what we had done and so 10 minutes later when Hurricane came back to check on the kids, they were gone.  The camera that is on the nest bowl ( that we are working to get to the internet thanks to Ross and Lyndsay ) showed a very perplexed Hurricane looking for his offspring.  He checked every corner, every edge, every stone of that tray and just could not for the life of him figure out where they went.  I’m sure he figured he be in big trouble as it was his turn to babysit and lost the kids inside of 10 minutes.  He took off, presumably to tell Chessie what had happened and all was quiet for the next 15 minutes.

The chicks were a gorgeous group with good feisty attitudes.  Each was banded and weighed but not named as of yet until the William Osler Hospital name the chick contest is concluded.  Here are the particulars and we will announce names as soon as we have them.

Chick 1       640 gram male       22 days old       R/55        Blue tape

Chick 2       620 gram male       22 days old      W/62       Yellow tape

Chick 3        840 gram female     23 days old      Y/62        Red tape

Chick 4        840 gram female     23 days old      Y/63        White tape

By the time that the banding was almost complete, Chessie had returned and was now looking for the kids.  She could hear them occasionally chatter on the other side of the wall in the mechanical room and so she attempted to peek through the crack between the door and the wall and find them.  After she had taken off, we quickly returned the fab four to the nest tray and with the door now shut, Hurricane returned with a “Where have you been!!” look on his face.  He went out and told Chessie that he found them and all settled down.  Congratulations to the William Osler Hospital and I look forward to this year’s Fledge Watch!!  We would like to thank our gracious nest site hosts the William Osler Hospital, Lyndsay Carter and their staff, with special regards to Ross.  Your supp;ort has been amazing.  We would also like to thank Paladin Security staff as they have been another excellent part of the support team for the nesting pair and Mark Heaton of the OMNR and his collegues from the Economy department for making the banding of the pair today possible.

William Osler Foursome to be Banded on June 3rd

May 31, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

The four young ones produced by Hurricane and Chessie will be banded on Monday June 3rd in the afternoon by the CPF, OMNR and William Osler Hospital staff.  We will be bringing you all of the news posted after the banding so check back next week for the update on the hatchlings and their banding event.

William Osler Wow Factor!! Hurricane and Chessie Just Awesome!

May 26, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Last night on my way to the Raptor Centre, I decided to pop in on Chessie and Hurricane for a look at what they are up to these days.  For the first time since this site was colonized by Hurricane in 2006, the William Osler Hospital has successfully hatched four chicks which I am sure has Hurricane just elated.  When I pulled in I initially didn’t see either adult but it wasn’t long before the air show began!!  All I can say is that Hurricane is over the moon happy.  For just over an hour, he did not stop hunting.  He would land on the corner, look down at his newly hatched family and was immediately off.  You could imagine his thoughts as he looked down the ledge to see 4 chicks and a massive female mate all waiting for him to get a move on.  He flew 8 hunting forays after which I stopped counting and he was successful in three of those attempts.  He plucked one bird out of the air so fast I couldn’t see it and also brought home two impressively massive pigeons from behind the hospital.  Chessie was less active but equally as amazing bringing home one pigeon of her own and stooping another above me that narrowly escaped.  All of this in very gusty conditions that at one point almost knocked Chessie right on her face as she sat on the eastern “H” sign.  Hurricane on the other hand made it look easy, as if there wasn’t a breeze to be had.  When Chessie went tail over tea kettle Hurricane flew up to the “H” on the opposite end and looked at her as if to ask, “Are you alright dear?” 

Most of the hunts were  right over the parking lot above my head and were so spectacular and inspiring.  Those flights were actually too close for me to photograph but I did manage to get some shots of the overjoyed parents as they filled each and every “H” sign with cache after cache.  We look forward to the new family emerging from the tray and becoming active on the ledge in the weeks to come.  This is going to be awesome!!

William Osler Has Four!!!!

May 22, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

This news just in from Ross Bartlett at the William Osler site.  Chessie and Hurricane have four young in the tray!!  Congratulations to the great folks at William Osler and thank you so much for your incredible support of the pair.

First Little One Has Arrived at William Osler!

May 11, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Bruce and I arrived this morning at the William Osler site to check on Hurricane and Chessie as we knew they were so close to a hatch.  We hadn’t even parked the car when both adults came howling off of the ledge and out to the southeast.  We finally got a look at what they were chasing and the Turkey vulture flying through was now beating a hasty retreat.  We raced in to meet security and headed up to take a peek at the tray before the adults returned and covered up again.  When we got upstairs and found Chessie had returned to the tray and was attending to a minutes old hatchling that was still pink and wet!!  She worked to move the shells aside and then quickly covered the little one and its unhatched siblings.  We were also able to confirm that William Osler has four eggs this year!!!!  Congratulations William Osler, Hurricane and Chessie!!!

William Osler on Track and Due for a Hatch

May 10, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

I have been visitng Chessie and Hurricane this week often looking for signs of the first hatch and although the first little one hasn’t quite arrived yet, we are due for a hatch here at William Osler.  Hurricane has been his usual great self demonstrating his unique babysitting style once Chessie is out of eyesight.  He sat for a good 5 minutes on the edge of the nest tray on Wednesday glancing over his shoulder and visually checking on the kids while preening and stretching in between.  Chessie was stretching and preening on the southern “H” and when she flew back around to the east tower, Hurricane darted back into the tray like his tail was on fire!!  Yesterday he was on the eggs again when I arrived but this time he was not to be moved.  He sat on the three eggs diligently and every few minutes would wiggle down and adjust his position.  Bruce and I will be stopping by this morning to check whether the first chick has emerged.

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

May 09, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

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!!!

William Osler Still on Track

April 16, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Bruce and I were out last weekend to check in on Hurricane and Chessie after the juvenile female made its appearance last week.  We wanted to make sure that all was on track and had stabilized and we found the pair doing just fine.  As I arrived, Chessie was on the northeast corner of the nest ledge taking a break and Hurricane could not be seen but rather heard.  He also was watching Chessie as he was lying in the tray incubating.  Hurricane truly prefers the role of “sky defender” and “food master” to babysitter but will do whatever he is required of him by his lady to hatch those eggs.  Chessie flew off of the corner and around the eastern “H” which Hurricane could not resist.  Out he came to see her and the two sat on the sign for a few minutes together.  Chessie wasn’t long in heading back into the nest tray to resume incubating.  Hurricane remained on the “H” looking for scraps for a few minutes and then was off to the southeast corner of the nest ledge.  He sat there for quite some time and then was off to the west on a hunt.  Rob and Angie, two of our awesome west end volunteers, also popped by on the weekend and found the pair in fine form.  We look forward to seeing Hurricane and Chessie raising these youngsters this summer.

A Busy Week at William Osler

April 13, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler

Tracy Simpson Reports:

With the unexpected return of Hurricane to the William Osler site and the disappearance of Casper, I made it a point to get out to check on things at William Osler as often as I was able to this week.  The week began with better weather and Hurricane was busy re-establishing his territory.  If there is such a thing as a “happy” falcon, he was it.  He visited all of his old perches and made a point of landing and giving a few chup-chups on each one.  He was all over the place!  ”The “H”, that’s mine.  The tower, mine too.  Tree by the entrance…  …well Mr. Crow, that would be mine.”  This went on for a good 20 minutes as he went from perch to perch and claimed them all.  Chessie napped in the tray through this whole routine and didn’t really care so long as he brought home dinner by 4.  Sure enough, by 4:03pm, he was home with prey for her and he exchanged this gift with her on the eastern “H”.  Hurricane returned to the nest tray and sat on the edge staring at the eggs while Chessie ate.  No more than 10 minutes later, he was up on the sign with her checking to see if she ate it all.  Chessie flew one quick circuit around the building before returning to the tray and Hurricane ran down the length of the sign to look for leftovers.  

On Tuesday, Hurricane was on the north “H” sign and preening the day away.  I didn’t remain long as the rain was now moving in and Hurricane was quite happy to fall asleep in the light showers that were falling.  As the rain became more intense, Hurricane, with eyes fully closed, began to whine about the weather and eventually he woke up and moved to cover.  The entire time Chessie remained in the tray and did not get off the eggs.

By Thursday the cold, wet weather had moved in and most pairs were now staying pretty close to cover.  I decided on a quick check and could not see a single bird on site when I arrived.  I wasn’t there for more than a few minutes when Chessie began to call.  Just then, a falcon came racing up the south side of the building and another up the north side.  This brought Chessie out of the nest tray alarm calling.  Yes indeed, I now have three falcons above my head and its pandemonium!  Chessie flew to the tower and landed.  Hurricane was immediately at her side and the two were vocalizing.  The third bird was definately a female and she was circling low above the parking lot but what was missing here was the ferocious defense of the nest site.  Chessie left the tower and met the female in the air and there were two rather sedate attempts at contact and then Hurricane entered the mix.  Chessie flew back to the tower while Hurricane chased the female along the north side of the building and escorted her off of the property.  Chessie immediately flew back into the tray and was down on the eggs right away.  Hurricane returned and remained on edge but calm as he took up position on the west ledge of the building.  All the while I was taking pictures and the shot I was able to get of the two females about to make contact…  …it looked as if Chessie didn’t have any bands!!  The other female was definately in juvenile plumage and I could not see any bands on her either.  While I was sure that it was just the angle of the shot and feeathers in the way I needed to confirm this for my own peace of mind.

Yesterday I was back out to visit the pair and I found the female on the west ledge of the building.  A few photographs later and it was definately without a doubt Chessie.  She took a run at a few crows and then disappeared around to the east side and out of my view.  I went back around and could not see her or Hurricane and I may have missed an exchange in the tray of incubation duties.

You need not doubt that I will be back as often as I can to watch the progress of the pair.  I want make sure that all is on track and we are up to date on who is “on the dance card” as this territory has yet to settle down.