Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

!!! Hunting

June 04, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

Today both peregrines were frequenting the south facing ledges of the hospital. Late this morning, both peregrine could be heard vocalizing and looking south. A flock of birds were flying westward and looked like another bird of prey was in the chase. Both peregrines took off of Mt.Sinai and headed for the flock. The last I saw was two peregrines in a vertical stoop, in the area of the US Consulate. A few minutes later both birds returned to the hospital, one to the south ledge and hopped into the ledge, while the other headed towards the east.

Monitoring of the south ledges continues

!!! Interesting Avian Behaviour, yet frustrating

June 01, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

Years of observation of urban peregrines and every year we learn new and interesting things about the city Peregrine falcons.  Earlier last month behaviour indicated that incubation of eggs had begun, although we were at a disadvantage of not having a clear view of the nest itself. 

 Thanks to an early morning,a  power scope,  a clear sunny day,a lot of patience, and just the right amount of coffee to steady the hands, four eggs were clearly seen as the adult moved off the nest area.  Nesting behaviour continued, but the expected hatch date has past by two weeks.  I was seeing the male continuously incubate the eggs, while the female was seen lying down in an adjacent ledge. That ledge was scoped but no eggs were there.

Latest observation have the pair on site and frequenting the east ledges, but it appears the eggs that I have been watching have been abandoned.  The peregrines are still showing nesting behaviour in and around these east ledges.

 I suspect that a second clutch of eggs have been laid and the peregrines have restarted the incubation clock. Monitoring will continue to find where, if any eggs were laid in a new nest bowl.

As I watch and observe, I am approached by a lot of long time bird of prey fans who enquire as to their status in the neighbourhood. Especially the folks from Queen’s Park.

They tell me stories how they see these wonderful birds sit on adjoining buildings and watch them hunt. Lots of interest in their success in nesting in this area.

Any obsevations would be greatly appreciated.  Take note, we also have a pair of Redtail Hawks that fly through the area of College and Universtiy. I usually see them around the noon hour, floating over Queen’s Park as well.

A few times I have seen the peregrines take off to move the Redtails out of the area, but the encounter has been out of my line of sight.

!!! Both Adults On Site

May 25, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

Both adults remain on the nest site, be cannot confirm a hatch at this time. Eggs are still in the nest area, and incubation continues, as to a expected date of hatch is becoming more doubtful. Behaviour is still consistent to incubation, defending the nest area. The adult male is very attentive. Observation will continue for evidence of a hatch and will be reported here.

Incubation Continues

May 20, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

Incubation continues and since we have only a guess as to when full incubation started, we can only estimate a hatch date. So daily viewing will continue until confirmation can be made to the status of the nest.

 The day’s heat kept the second out of my view and in the shade of  another building. Red Tail hawks are usually out mid-day and were seen the past few days over Queen’s Park.  While I was watching, one peregrine appeared on the ledge and I waited wondering when the peregrine will see the Red tail. It wasn’t long and the adult male peregrine was off towards the  intersection of College and University.  Don’t know what the outcome was, as they both flew out of my line of sight.

!!! FOUR EGGS and Peregrines are on site

May 16, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

Long distance observation confirmed 4 eggs on the 6th ledge from the north on the east side of Mt.Sinai Hospital. 

Two adults were observed this morning sitting in the 6th and 7th ledges. The adult sitting in the 6thledge, with the eggs, was not showing typical incubation, it was just standing over the eggs the entire time I was observing.  In the mean time, the adult occupying the 7thledge was showing intense incubation behaviour, shielding by ‘mantling’ over the area.

When the adult finally came off the ledges, the 6th ledge bird exposed at least 4 eggs to my view. While the bird in the 7th ledge, I could not see anything. The shade had moved onto this area of the ledge and put everything to dark to see.  When the 7th ledge bird returned it immediately went into the far area of this ledge and was there for approximately 5 minutes, came out and flew off. It returned seconds later and returned to the far back corner of the 7th ledge. The adult that came off the 6th ledge where the eggs are seen did not return to this area, leaving the eggs exposed. I waited and did not see where this bird had flown.

More observation is needed, to confirm an actual hatch.

Positive Activity on the East ledges

May 15, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

Intense observations today and yesterday afternoon. Friday afternoon, definite hunting activity on the south side of the hospital, over Elm and Murray St’s.  Later one peregrine was seen relaxing on the ledges between the banks of windows.

Saturday, I made my way back to my “perch” to clearly observe. At approximately 11:30a.m, peregrine was seen on the northeast corner of the insurance building at Elm and University, it looked like it may have prey with it, or just finished eating. It took off and headed for the 6th ledge of the east side of the hospital. The second adult took off and headed towards Princess Margaret and disappeared between the buildings. After myself and another volunteer waited another hour the second adult reappeared and approached the sixth ledge of the hospital. At this time, a clear hand off of the “nest’ occurred. The female came off the back area of the ledge and took off towards the north, the male stood in the back facing the corner of the ledge. Stood there for a few seconds, looking down into the corner and then lowered his body below the sight level.   A good sign of a nest.  Tomorrow, hoping for clear sunny skies, and with the aide of a scope,  a better viewing will give us more information.

!!! Hunting

May 13, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

A quick visit the Mt.Sinai area and witnessed one peregrine hunting in the area of the hospital. I don’t think the hunt was successful. The peregrine then made it’s way over to 505 University Ave and sat there for approximately 10 minutes.  I don’t know if it was the same bird, but another sighting was on the U of  T building on the North-West side of College and University. Both birds are seen frequenting the east ledge of the Hospital, but actual nesting on this area  is now in doubt. Weather has hampered our  efforts for intense observations. Once the wind and rain clears, we can resume in-depth  observation. If anyone else should have reports of the peregrines at this site, please send them in for posting.

!!! Peregrines remain in the area

May 09, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

Days and Days of observations and the peregrines remain at Mt.Sinai. They are showing incubation behaviour, to a point. Then they are not. Perhaps they are just out of sight range. Perhaps with the latest weather they have held close to the eggs.  I’m not sure if at this time there is incubation.  Both peregrines are seen on the east ledges for what appears to be “incubation” time.  I’ve only seen food go into the ledge once, which was promising.  Either they are in hard incubation and laying low,or they are just playing “house”    The  season is still early so if it is a failed nest, there is still hope. Perhaps that is what they are doing.

Both Adults in View

May 03, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

Monitoring continues and it appears so is the incubation. They have been consistent and frequenting the same area now for weeks, which indicates that they are indeed incubating.  Today, both adults were in view. One on the  “nest” while the second was ”busy” in the far reaches of the adjacent ledge. I could not clearly see what it was doing, but he was there for a while.  Monitoring will continue and will increase as it nears to an expectant hatch date. 

Stayed tuned.

!!! They’re still here

April 28, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital

Linda Woods Reports:

After numerous days of not seeing any peregrine activity, today was a more positive.

10:45a.m. male peregrine seen flying in the area south of the hospital. It eventually came to rest on the south facing ledges with prey in it’s talons. After making my way to a higher viewing area, I could clearly see the female in the ‘nesting ledge” The same area as previous reports.  I also discovered a food stash on a ledge of Princess Margaret Hospital.  I continued to observe for another hour with no movement from the nesting female.

So I guess they were there the entire time. Sneaky.