Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

!!! Monday Report from Marilyn

June 17, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

Lots of great flights again today by all. I was at the bridge this morning briefly and got to see a few good, high flights and some skillful landings. Came back this evening and though the young have spent a lot of time just waiting for dinner, there was a nice flight with a chase by Hercules and Gwenis. Great to see them chasing each other around. Typical siblings!

Gwenis and Tecumseh just had a nice chase and looked like they might be playing the falcon version of Tag. Now all 3 are united on the same ledge waiting for their reward.

From Mark, Mike and Marliese tonight: Hercules learned a new behaviour tonight; he dove down from a ledge, very close to the ground after a small bird and just missed it by a hair…..Lots to learn in a short time so more new things to try each day!

A huge thank-you to all the wonderful people who gave their time to help watch this year. It was great to have so many people willing to give time to help us protect this nest. What a great team this year! A special thank you to Cathy for getting the safety equipment donations, to Paul for all his extra time at all hours of the day and night, and to Marliese for all the great daily posts!

Keep looking up!
Marilyn

!!! Sunday Report

June 16, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

Hercules reappeared early this morning on a high ledge on the east side of the bridge. He and Gwenis had a good feeding this morning and were lazy for a while.

Lots of great flights by all 3 youngsters throughout the day. Tecumseh perked up after yesterday’s rest and did lots of beautiful, soaring flights and even did some diving. He is landing like an old pro already! Voltaire rewarded Tecumseh with a nice dinner around 6. He had flown around just before she came in with food and he landed on the sign post above the bridge. Voltaire brought it a good sized dinner and landed on the highest ledge. Tecumseh seemed to know that food was nearby so he launched again and did a great flight overhead and then circled back to land on top of the bridge. As he came in to land, he spotted Voltaire down one level from him so he readjusted and floated gracefully to ledge beside her. Once down, he ran eagerly to get some food.

All of our birds are doing very well. Hopefully within a few more days, we will be able to lighten up the watch and simply enjoy the air shows!

Thanks everyone for all your time and support! Keep watching the skies!

Marilyn

!!! Saturday Report from Windsor Volunteers

June 16, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

Morning/Early Afternoon Report from Maureen:

Paul has taken the carrier and the Stop/Slow sign home, we talked about it and didn’t think we would have to resort to the carrier since the birds can all fly and can be “walked” out of harm’s way if they are down. Like Gwenis was today! Also, there may be times on the weekend where volunteer coverage is spotty, and we don’t need a theft.

When I got to the bridge around 10:00 all three were where they had been all morning. Gwenis took flight at around 10:30, attempted to land on a lower ledge, but couldn’t. She flew into the concrete just below Tecumseh, clung for a bit, then dropped down and took flight again, very low, and landed in the parking lot across the street. She walked on the ground for 5 minutes or so, then flew, again quite low, to the flat concrete area (where Hercules had been previously). From there she walked around and settled on the north side for a couple of hours. Then she walked to the same flat concrete area and flew north, looped around and flew south, a long way but again not super high, and I lost sight of her. Paul went looking for her in the truck. I finally found her on the north side of the street, walking along the fence. She finally flew up to where she was when you came. This was at around 1:00. She conked out for a couple of hours after that.

Tecumseh and Hercules stayed on their ledges all day, walking but not flying.

maureen

The afternoon and evening report:

Lots of excitement this afternoon. Gwenis managed to get to the top ledge after some low flights. Also perched on the handrail of the bridge for a bit. She took a decent flight around but the wind was not in her favour and she ended up landing in the parking lot next to the ledges. She used Paul’s ladder and got half way up and launched from there. She got around the bridge and is now on the east side on the highest ledge where she spent the rest of the evening. Freddie brought in a large dinner so she had a nice meal tonight.

Around 8, Hercules took off heading south along the bridge and Huron Church. He didn’t come back so Paul drove thru the area and spent a lot of time looking for him. Robert (who stopped by to check in and spent all afternoon and evening) also looked around as did I but to no avail. Hercules did not appear by nightfall so we’re all hoping he’s around the University on a nice high building enjoy some different scenery. He has been flying well so we can only hope he is safe.

Tecumseh was lazy today. I did not see him fly all afternoon or evening so tomorrow he may decide to play again in the air!

We have coverage much of Sunday but late afternoon and evening is sparse. If you can spare some time, it would be great to have more eyes watching.

Thanks to all who helped out today! We have a great team and some amazing birds again this year. It is a privilege to help keep them safe!

!!! Thank you to the Windsor Team

June 15, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

Email sent to us from Marilyn who is doing a great job with Marliese in doing the great reporting.

Lots of news from everyone today. Its this kind of day that makes all those quiet times of just watching worthwhile.

Tecumseh, the baby flies! Cathy and Mike report that around 6 this morning, Tecumseh took his first flight. He did very well and has landed under the bridge on a high cross beam. Gwenis and Hercules stayed put for the night. Waiting for breakfast delivery now but no sign of food at the moment.

Marliese picks up the story here. Its a good thing we had 3 of us this morning (Larry and Rob), we needed all eyes and 3 prs of feet. Tecumseh made another short flight and then disappeared…help…He was finally found by the sound of his screeching on a lampost near the Huron Church/University corner, where re spent the afternoon, without breakfast or lunch to celebrate. Meanwhile…..Gwenis had only done walkabouts on the north ledges, recovering from a scary evening. But suddenly she took off and flew beautifully straight up to the pipe…I guess that is where the women hang out. She screeched up there for an hour demanding food, since she had not been fed all day yesterday or today. Voltaire flew circles around her enticingly with lunch several times with no luck, until a very hungry Gwenis flew up to the nest with no trouble and finally got dinner.

Maureen reports the afternoon adventures. Tecumseh finally gave up post sitting, flew into a tree and then neatly sailed on to the 4th southern ledge. Hercules showed off his flying skills with several loops above the bridge and Gwenis rested on her laurels in the nest.

Marilyn has the evening report: Around 8 Hercules took a little flight and decided to try to land on the hydro wires across the street. He found himself hanging upside down for a minute but managed with some thrusts, to get himself upright again. Very precarious! Next, he flew back across the road and to the same ledge he was on earlier. He’s resting now. About 5 minutes ago, Gwenis took a beautiful flight and soared around, landing on the east side of the bridge next to Tecumseh. They are eating now and making some very different calls than I’ve heard before. Hoping they all stay now for the night.

More info:
Around 8:30, Hercules flew around the bridge and disappeared. Denise and I looked for him for about 30 minutes with no luck. Dennis and Gwen, Kenny G, and Paul all arrived around 9. Soon all 3 youngsters began flying practice and gave us some great air shows. All are flying very well and getting good height. They are all up on high ledges for the night. Tecumseh and Gwenis are reunited on the same ledge.

We have pretty good coverage of volunteers saturday and sunday mornings, but the afternoons and evenings are sparse. Even though all 3 are flying now, its too early to relax yet. Let us now your availability , also for next week.
We have some strong and ready Falcons this year. The excitement has only just begun! Keep your eyes peeled!

Keep looking up!

!!! Gwenis and Hercules flying

June 13, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

This is an email I received from Marilyn tonight. The crew of Watchers this season are doing a great job. Thank You so much for the great help. Gwen & Dennis

Gwenis had her first flight at 7.45 am. Very exciting for four of our early morning volunteers. She got good height, circled over the parking lots, under the bridge and settled on a landing in a tree next to the parking lot. Beautiful flight! She stayed in that tree the rest of the morning with a hop to a nearby lampost. About 2 pm she had enough post sitting and flew to one of the southern low cement ledges, where she waited the rest of the day for her first celebratory meal which did not arrive until ……?

Hercules spent the night safely on the western ledge, got fed in the morning, but by 1:30 he had enough ledge sitting and decided to fly; He took a long , high flight parallel to the bridge as far as the U of W sign where we lost sight of him until we found him on top of the bridge railing and from there he flew to the very top concrete ledge admiring traffic. He spent the afternoon there until he got bored and took off for parts unknown. He seems to be a competent flyer by now, so we assume he will come back for his dinner .

Tecumseh won’t be far behind. He spent the day with restless pacing and flapping and looks very anxious to join Gwenis and Hercules for flying lessons.

This evening, Hercules was perched way up high on the bridge. He was on the top ledge sitting under the rail with a great view beneath him. He took a great flight from there and circled around, landing on the handrail. He wasn’t happy with this location so he took off again, had a great swoop over the park next to the faculty lot and then made a nice landing on the 4th ledge overlooking the parking lot. He is learning quickly and doing very well in the air!

A bit later, Gwenis decided that walking around on the lower ledge was too boring, (same ledge her brother spent the last few days on) so she tried flying again. This time, she lost altitude and scared all of us as she flew very low across University Ave, and back across, clumsily grabbing the chain link fence and hanging on for dear life. She managed to get to the top of the fence and with several “Herculean” efforts, managed to make her way back to the ledge she had previously been on this afternoon. An exciting evening for sure!

Voltaire brought in dinner for Tecumseh and Hercules but I did not see a feeding of Gwenis by 8 pm when I left. Paul and Ted remained at the bridge and may have more updates later.

We have a few slots filled for saturday and sunday, and a totally open schedule to fill for next week. Please let us know when you have some free time to help us keep an eye on our Peregrine family. Two up and one more to go.

Thanks to all of you for your interest and dedication to the survival of the Windsor nest!

!!! Yeah for Gwenis

June 13, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

Gwenis just had her first flight! Very exciting. She got good height, circled over the parking lots, under the bridge and settled on a landing in a tree next to the parking lot. Beautiful flight!
Thank You Marilyn for this wonderful email.

!!! Update Hercules, Gwenis and Tecumseh

June 13, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

Thank You to Marliese and Marilyn

Hercules can fly like the wind….finally….
After three days of a very comfortable life walking about the lower concrete levels, being well fed and trying a few scary low flights ending in grass walkabouts, Hercules took to the skies at 4:30 this afternoon. We had been lulled into ignoring his sleeping form when he suddenly took off and landed on the roof of the red brick building. That lasted for about 5 minutes when he took off heading for the nest. He almost made it, but aborted at the last minute having miscalculated , swooped around in a big circle under the bridge and gracefully landed on a ledge half way up the west wall. Whew…cheers of relief from all proud parents on the ground.

The aerial parents promptly rewarded him by dropping a bird on the ledge and feeding him. This was a surprise since this morning, she delivered a bird with all its feathers to the low level and watched for half an hour as he made his first attempt to deal with feathers. He actually managed to rip the thing apart and get some food but she finally came down, ripped off the big feathers in front of him and fed him, another teachable moment. Last seen, he was hunkered down in the rain on the middle west wall.

The two birds in the nest, got very little food today, but a lot of fly byes from both parents. There was hectic wing flapping all day giving us some scary moments. The best bet from all of us is that they will fly tomorrow, maybe both of them, judging both by the birds and the parents behaviour. Tecumseh has very little down left, only a bit on his rump and is as active as Gwennis.
Keep your fingers crossed for a calm night.

Calendar; we now have a weatherproof calendar with a dry write pen so we can write and wipe off additions. (we need a rainproof grease pencil). Please fill in your sat and sunday availability as we have nothing confirmed yet. It is on the back of the week one.

Keep watching the skies!

Hercules walking about

June 09, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

Hercules came off the ledge this morning (Sunday June 9th). Vicki, Paul and Mike said he flew low along the church grounds and then managed to come back and land on the metal box next to the walk light. He came across the street into the grass and we coaxed into the fenced area under the nest. He’s able to get onto the lowest ledge but hasn’t been able to get to the next ledge.

Banding Day at Windsor Photos are Here

May 31, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Thanks to the great reports from Dennis and Gwen on the progress of the young family of three!  One of the young has already fledged and been rescued twice by the team in Windsor and so this post on the banding information is a little late to the party but nonetheless important.

Really only a week ago, three healthy juveniles were banded on May 31st at the Windsor Ambassador Bridge.  Due to the local OMNR bander having retired, the first order of business was to try and arrange for another OMNR biologist from another district that has their permit to band come out and join us.  We must thank Anne Yagi for stepping up to the plate who was joined by Catherine Jong, Species at Risk biologist of the Alymer district office.  They were an exceptional team working together to make this happen.  Once we knew that a bander was available, we immediately started making calls to the Windsor Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor team of volunteers to try and pull together the event.  The bridge was quick to put together the lift truck and staff to accomplish the task and we are so grateful to the Windsor Ambassador Bridge Company for making this happen.  Then we were joined in this effort to organize the event by retired co-ordinators Dennis and Gwen who put in such an amazing effort to pull together the tent, tables, invitees and press which we know is no easy feat.  Our sincerest gratitude to Dennis and Gwen for such an outstanding job done and a testiment to the great group of volunteers in Windsor.  At the event, we were joined by CTV, the Windsor Star and Windsor CBC News who were surrounded by the watchers of Windsor as well as a gathering crowd there to witness the banding.  Marion Nash braved the lift to the tray where Voltaire was there waiting for her.  She was very vocal, active and defending like a great mother does and was quickly joined by a very annoyed Freddie.  The pair were fantastic in their defence which is something that we always like to see in the resident adults as a show of strength and committment.  Freddie was whipping Mach 10 over, under and around the bridge while Voltaire sat on the ledge and gave Marion the stare down. 

Back at the banding tent the three chicks had just arrived and all was set to go.  Your three Windsor stars, as gratefully reported by Dennis and Gwen earlier are:

Hercules          714 grams           27 day old male          R/48          Yellow tape

Tecumseh        677 grams          25 day old male          R/13          Blue tape

Gwenis             1016 grams         29 day old female      S/25          Red tape

The three healthy and feisty chicks were then returned to their parents and another good days work came to a close.  Again, huge thanks go out to the Windsor Ambassador Bridge for their quick organization of the lift and the park space, Dennis and Gwen, watchers extrodinaire, for arranging the tent, tables, press and invitees, Anne Yagi and Catherine Jong for their coordination and efforts to get the banding done.  Not to forget Heather and Erica, Anne’s daughters, who helped out at the event like pros!  Congratulations Windsor on a job well done.

NOTE:  My photo conversion software made the pictures all come out not as sharp as they should be.  Sorry about that Windosr.  I wiil fix and repost them shortly as you all looked so great!!

!!! Oops

June 09, 2013 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge

Dennis Patrick Reports:

After looking at what I put on our site last night I forgot to put is that report was from the Team Member, Marliese. Hope you can forgive me, Gwen
Hope to see everyone for a short meeting this afternoon at 2.