Quest takes off with the remains of dinner!

!!! The three remaining fledglings are back in the house!
June 23, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Mark Nash Reports:

A big thank you to Zoe who is one of the CPF fledge watch team members at the Toronto Sheraton for snapping a quick shot of the nest ledge.

Beyond popular belief, even after the young fledgelings have been able to take their first flights and been able to hold their altitude, we all must remember that they are still solely dependant on their parents for both food and protection for the nest 30 to 60 days while they are being trained by their parents.

The nest ledge is the only safe place that they know, and it offers protection to the fledglings from all of the dangers that they will soon learn about as they experience thee things on a case by case basis. The nest ledge will be active for some time to come as each of the fledgling will be returning to nest ledge (as soon as they can get there on their own steam) each night. Remember,, its still the only home that they know is safe.

This photo clearly demonstrates this fact, as we see all three of the surviving fledglings.

Dinner time for Harlequin!

Speaking of Harlie, she's been very un-active today, spending most of her time in that far right corner.

!!! Lady Gaga fledged
June 23, 2011 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:

As Dennis was getting ready to be interviewed by CBC Radio we got a call that Lady Gaga had fledged and was in a fenced in area just walking around. When we got there she was looking tired. Thanks to Bess who witnessed it, Collette and Smurf who kept walking around the fence outside to make sure she was safe. Around 4 P.M. Dennis went inside the fence with a pet carrier and she just walked in it. Then we put her in the shade with a towel over it and spritxed her a few times which she seemed to really enjoy. Around 9 P.M. Kim from the Bridge company came by with a lift to put Dennis and Lady Gaga on the roof of the building across the street. He checked the roof first to make sure there were no animals of any kind up there. We left the site around 10:30 P.M. At 12:30 P.M. we were anxious whether or not she was still on the roof so we drove back there again and sure enough she was on the corner looking very good. Spitfire was standing on the nest box looking around. This morning when we got there she was still on the roof, the Blue Jays were very noisy around the area. Voltaire came in with food for Lady Gaga at 7:20 A.M. Both Lady Gaga and Spitfire were fed will we were there. Last evening we had lots of rain. This morning showers at times. We will keep you updated on these beautiful Peregrines. Also, Dennis has lots of pictures he will be posting soon.
Gwen & Dennis
Site Co-ordinators for CPF

Now that's attractive
Hey, it worked

Looks like a small aircraft landed on deck.

Hi Ma, did ya bring me food??

Harlie flapping, so darn cute!

I think Harlie likes her "spot o shade" Quest in nest box.

The banding went very smoothly. Quest wasn't all that aggressive.  Kendal was absent until the very end. I'll let others post the details.

Here is a Toronto CityNews video of the event: http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/videos/138388

Hey cool, there's Joyce in the video, can't miss her long lens!! Tim, Lynda's husband in there also. I watched it a few times as I always miss something and yup, I sure did.  I should have noticed that long lens!! 

And here's a story on Harlequin's site about the banding. Susan C and MAK are in the background of the picture of CEO Donna Hayes.

http://harlequinblog.com/2011/06/shes-been-banded-harlequin-the-peregrines-big-day/

Thanks Shaky, what a great story they tell! 

[And...looking at the photos of the nest box you guys have set up: well, they're living it up at the Ritz, compared to our little family. Is that a ramp installed on the side?!]

Yep...she was there the whole time. I still don't know what Quest and Kendal were freaking out about. Probably me walking around the building!!  

Look for places in your building where you can see the entire ledge in case the camera goes down or the operator zooms it in again. If you can't get access to those areas, find someone who can and arrange a method of contacting them when Harlie is out of view.

Try to avoid walking under the ledge.

Will do. I've already made contact with someone who can see the whole ledge *and* has a telescope trained on the scrape! Will avoid walking around the building again. We deemed this an emergency!

Thanks so much for the advice you've all given me!!

And...looking at the photos of the nest box you guys have set up: well, they're living it up at the Ritz, compared to our little family. Is that a ramp installed on the side?!

It sure is a ramp Kat, just in case one of the juvies falls into the well, they can climb back up. With only 1 clutch of 2 so far at that site, none fell in.

Try to avoid walking under the ledge.

relevant quote from a fledge watch summary on the Evanston board by Neal N.:

"My most compassionate act of the day: suggesting to two human lovebirds that they might want to relocate from the bench directly below the flower box containing three Peregrine Falcon chicks."

 

I heard it's good luck to get Poohed on! 

Well, I feel pretty silly now! The vantage point I have is angled, so the concrete section that sticks out from the building was blocking my view of Harlequin, who was nestled in the corner. Oh boy...is this what it's going to be like when she tries to fly?! I don't know if I have the nerves for this!!

It's all good Kat, your not the first and certainly won't be the last. Oh and CPF is so used to this. I feel your concern. Like Shaky said, get some practice in now and be prepared for fledge!

We do love our falcons!