The falcons are the reason we come together...but it is the people who make Watcher's Weekend!   I had a wonderful time sharing this weekend with all who attended.  to everyone who came from out-of town...great seeing you again!  And, it was a pleasure meeting those who joined us for the first time.


Joyce

[While I was trying to familiarize myself with Brampton, I found the following (2003) on google:]

While I was trying to familiarize myself with Brampton, I found the following (2003) on google:
http://www.mail-archive.com/ontbirds@hwcn.org/msg05187.html

Radio-collared Peregrine in Brampton
Mon, 27 Oct 2003 19:17:11 -0500 (EST)

Last Monday, while leaving work at the Brampton courthouse, I observed a Peregrine Falcon flying leisurely in a southwesterly direction no more than 50 feet over the roof of the building. Knowing that fall migration is well underway, I thought nothing of it other than to marvel at this incredible raptor.

Then, today at approximately 2 pm, I ventured outside to get a bit of fresh air, and had several co-workers point out to me a "hawk" perched some 10 feet above my head on a building overhang, and no more than 20 feet from me. It was a Peregrine disemboweling a Rock Dove. I noticed intermittently that the bird had been banded, and then as it turned sideways to me, I noticed that the bird had been radio-collared. A six-inch antenna stuck out at an angle to the birds back. It was my opinion that the bird was a male.

Curiosity has got the better of me and I post this to see if anyone out there would have any idea as to where this bird might have originated from.  I'm now assuming that the bird I observed a week ago is the same bird. There is more than an ample supply of prey on and about the courthouse and surrounding buildings and with luck, the bird will remain in the general vicinity for a while for me to enjoy.

I'd really welcome any input into just where this bird was originally banded and then radio-collared.

The Brampton Courthouse is on the east side of Highway number 10 some half mile south of Steeles Avenue in Brampton.

Terry Osborne


Re: Radio-collared Peregrine in Brampton
Sat, 1 Nov 2003 18:59:55 -0500 (EST)

The bird is almost certainly "Tee-Dee", a male anatum peregrine. He was released and fitted with a transmitter this summer in Kitchener by the Canadian Peregrine Foundation and the Ontario Hawking Club. Updates on his movements can be had by visiting http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca.

Its nice to hear some personal observations on his behavior,

Martin Geleynse
President, Ontario Hawking Club
(519) 632-8831

Wouldn't miss it!

Joyce

[Links]

Anyone staying at the HYATT?  If you are, the South Avenue Garage is connected to the Hyatt.  You can take the elevator to the garage roof and check out the city from there.  Brain H watches and many of his reports are from the roof. Since there has been a lot of city flying lately, it is a good place to observe the falcons in the air.

Facing WEST you can see the Jail Tower, Times Square, Widows Walk, Frontier Communication Tower (have to be in the right place), First Federal/Old Changing Scenes, Crossroads Building, and Kodak Tower.

Facing EAST you can see Bausch & Lomb, Zerox, Chase, some of Midtown.

If the falcons find the gorge, then it is back to the Pont De Rennes Pedestrian Bridge.  Don't forget to check out location spots on Dumpsterkitty's Rochester Falcon Landmarks under Links.

Joyce

[Handsome Dad...]

Handsome Dad...



He and his Aunt Seneca have a lot in common on the M&K side of the family!

Hanging out at home base.

then Beauty took her turn.

@Kris G. - The rehabber said that this type of fracture is common for young fledglings.  The bone calcifies very quickly, and as Carol mentioned they are going to feed Jemison meat with high calcium levels. Normally, these type of fractures do not get surgical intervention (just like hairline fractures do not get casts in humans).

@Paul - We were all hoping for an injury with the quickest healing time too.  We were told that having this break is better than pulled tendons which would take a long time to heal.  Once healed, Jemison will have to demonstrate that he can get lift and fly from ground position. We are all hoping Jemison can be released in time to reacquaint himself with his parents and get his hunting lessons from them.  You never know, maybe Callidora will remain in home territory long enough for her and Jemison to fly together in the gorge. Wouldn't that be wonderful!  Think positive thoughts!

[YAY! I got the same information by email as posted on CMNH and thought I would share Liz' (Elimac) full post here. Finally good news after so much heartbreak in Ohio the last few days.]

YAY! I got the same information by email as posted on CMNH and thought I would share Liz' (Elimac) full post here. Finally good news after so much heartbreak in Ohio the last few days.

Warrior was on the railing of the underpass bridge this AM.

My friend Sue called me and said she thought she saw the little one on the nest ledge. She and I went over to see if we could find her, but she was not on the ledge and no one was around. We were there for about 10 minutes, and were ready to leave when both parents flew in near the railing on the north end, and there she was. Both parents were trying to encourage her to fly off that railing, but for a while she was just sitting there hollering and probably wanting to be fed. Neither parent was aggressive toward us, even though we got very close. We backed off, and the parents were swooping over her trying to encourage her to fly, but she ended up on the sidewalk. then she jumped onto the concrete barrier between the sidewalk and the road. We (mostly Sue) were trying to get traffic to slow so if she jumped into the road no one would hit her. She finally made it onto the guard rail near the buildings on the N side of Brookpark, and then went down into the dirt on the north side of the guard rail. Sue called me to come toward her, as she was near the buildings, and when I got almost to the end of the railing she said "look over" I did and Warrior was right below me on a dead branch, not 3 feet away. When she saw me she took off and flew well to either a tree very close to the bridge or to an area between the cliff and the bridge support, we could not tell, but from the way the parents were flying around and from her calls we think she was in the tree. Then one of the parents landed, and we think they brought food, for she got very quiet. We then left and went back to work.

What a nice way to start a Friday morning!

[PART 1 of the Story...]

Great news, and good write up.  I do hope Carol will expound on the massive Peregrines visiting that passerby )

I second this on both counts.
Sounds to me like the massive Peregrine Falcons some people have inside their heads, telling them what to do? This person's got 'em on his balcony instead. Certainly more hygienic to keep them out there. Thanks, Carol!!!

PART 1 of the Story...

MAK and I were on watch 2 days ago, when this fella came by and asked whatchalookinat? We pointed upward at one of the adults flying, and said "peregrine falcon".  He proceeded to expound on his knowledgeable understanding of the species.  His first comment was that the falcon we were looking at was a 2 to 3 year-old, because it was small in size. Then he advised that full adults are "massive" and have a 6-foot wingspan, and stand this high (placed his hand about 30" from the ground).  Then he proceeded to tell us about all the pigeon heads that the falcons left on his balcony. You could tell there would be no changing this man's opinion.  MAK and I cracked up, as he walked away.  When other watchers showed up, we shared our "falcon lesson of the day"

Yesterday I wasn't on watch, but the 'educator' came by again...so Carol will have to continue PART 2.

~Joyce

[I got an immediate reply back from Big Frank at 4:10am, which is very encouraging... (doesn't anyone sleep?)]

I got an immediate reply back from Big Frank at 4:10am, which is very encouraging... (doesn't anyone sleep?)

Hi Joyce, I live in the Bluffs area and do a raptor watch each fall from an area just west of the Cathedral Bluffs (Scarborough Bluffers Park area) and am certain that just beyond there is a natural nest. Once Mark and Marion get their boat in the water at Bluffers Park Marina, we plan to do a search of the bluffs from the lake via binoculars and scopes from their boat. It is definitely a possible if not current nesting area. We have in the past seen a bird fly over Lake Ontario (only about 30 miles direct flight) across Lake Ontario by a Peregrine. It came from the direction of Rochester, checked out the park area we count from and we watched it disappear well out over the lake heading back towards Rochester. We have also seen territorial displays out in that direction in the fall and in August are sure we saw an adult teaching a young one to fly, going out over the lake and returning to roost, well along the bluff area. Lets hope we can discover something! Frank

I contacted our friends up in Toronto (Linda Woods and Big Frank) to let them know the recent Quest readings.  According to Google Maps, there are a few tall buildings in the area. Highway 401 is just south of the area.  It is about 9-10 miles to Lake Ontario and Cathedral Bluffs, and asked, "Could this possibly be a potential nesting area?"

I sent along 3 goggle photos of the area:

Sage - You've done a fantastic job keeping everyone posted on your blog with the various sites.  I'm glad to see "Falco" was rescued and returned to the nestsite.  Very interesting sign that was posted at UB by the DEC. Obviously things have settled down.
 

Assuming the worst and she goes down, will there be watchers to retrieve and also band her?

There are periodic visits by Chad & Chris to the nest site.  I know they take 2 weeks vacation from their normal worklife to monitor so many nestsites.  Cleveland is big compared to Rochester and they have many nestsites. Watchers that live close by to a nest site will check on the falcons there.  However, in order to observe this nestsite, you have to be on NASA property. Access is restricted and no one is allowed unless they are granted permission.  I'm sure Elimac checks the site when she goes to and from work, but no one is there on a fledge watch like in Rochester.  If Warrior goes down, C+C and/or the DOW will be notified.

Thanks Elimac for the latest photo taken Friday AM by Christopher Lynch posted on CMNH



I too am worried about how Warrior will fly.  Not good to be at a disadvantage for your first fight.