I too have been trying to remember when Orville first arrived at the nest. I think these pics include Orville,

         

          

         

I don't think Snow had any intention of hurting Swift; I think he just wanted to play.

Things have seemed peaceful at the nest for the past couple of days.

         

         

   

Thousands of Amur Falcons are being massacred in the northeast state of Nagaland, India. It is estimated that 12,000 - 14,000 birds are being killed daily during their migration. These beautiful little falcons were formerly believed to be a subspecies of the Red-footed Falcon.

A male Amur Falcon (left) and female (right).

   

There are a number of articles on this subject: the first article also has a video, which I have not yet watched.

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2012/11/help-required-to-end-hunting-massacre-in-nagaland-india/

http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/blog/2012/11/13/shocking-amur-falcon-massacre-in-nagaland/

A petition has just been started to try to do something about this sickening situation. Please support it.

https://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/please-stop-amur-falcon-massacre-in-nagaland-india

These birds are so beautiful! There are other videos of Bird of Paradise displays at the link:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=2541

Beauty on Mercury:

I saved these pics of Swift and Snow at the nest last night. Snow is coming in to land in the first pic. He kept pestering Swift; he tried to grab her by the tail, but she skipped out of the way really fast, then he chased her around the nest, and finally launched himself at her. Swift did not look amused. After the last pic, Snow left.

     

       

   

[Togetherness at Etobicoke Sun LifeNovember 11, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life CentreTracy Simpson Reports:]

From the Canadian Peregrine Foundation: it's good to see Jack and O'Connor together.

Togetherness at Etobicoke Sun Life

November 11, 2012 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre

Tracy Simpson Reports:

I met up with Kathy and Bruce at the Etobicoke Sun Life nest site to check in on the resident pair.  A third falcon has been sighted in the area and had O’Connor in a bit of a tizzy ( an understatement ) and we wanted to confirm the identification of the resident pair and that all was well.

When we first arrived, no falcons to be seen.  We searched around the nest building and the other towers but still not a peregrine to be had.  All of a sudden a bird flies in from the west and lands on the nest ledge.  Chup, chup,chup…  …and gone as quick as it came.  Too fast for a look.  We waited around for a return and it wasn’t long before the three of us began to wander about.  Bruce spotted a falcon coming in from the west and landing on the west tower with food.  Looked to be a rather large female.  As we repositioned the bird took off and flew behind the nest building and was somewhere on the Aberfoyle side.  Off we all go to Aberfoyle and when we reached Lomond, Kathy spotted a falcon on the center tower eating.  Bruce met up with us and from his angle, he could see two falcons on the same ledge.

Back in the Lomond TTC parking lot we were able to see the two falcons together on the ledge.  One was eating, the other waiting patiently for a turn.  Sound familiar?  In O’Connor’s way of thinking, ladies always go first.  We gathered up the scopes and were able to confirm that the female was banded Black over Green with a Purple USFW band, the same as O’Connor.  We had to wait for a repositioning of the male for a positive look.  The female flew off to the Moneris sign on the west tower facing northwest and the male took over eating the rest of the pigeon that was caught.

The female was perched on the dot in the I of Moneris and was watching the skies to the northwest.  After finishing his meal, the male flew several circles around the west tower and eventually landed on the lower portion of the S on the same sign.  They sat together for a while and then something triggered O’Connor to take off into the air and fly several circuits around the west tower.  She then landed on the top curve of the S while the male roosted on the bottom of the curve.  It was almost sweet to see the two of them together like this reasserting their bonds.  We were able to get a great look through the scope and confirm that the male is indeed Jack with a three character Black band on his right leg and Silver USFW on the left.  A unique configuration that only a few falcons have as almost all are banded with the recovery band on their left leg.

Jack took the S in Moneris to mean sleep and so he napped away occasionally sharing O’Connors fascination with the northwest.  At times the two looked in that direction together with great intensity and they are absolutely keeping their eyes on something.  As we were leaving for the day, Jack took off to the northwest and did something absolutely bizarre.  He flew over to a nearby apartment building and I watched him swoop up and disappear near the top of the apartment and then reappear.  He repeated this again and then on the third swoop up…  …he just disappeared!!   Kathy and I piled into my car and off we went to check out just where Jack disappeared to.  Lo and behold, here he sat on a ledge no bigger than a slice of cheese in a corner where a concrete balcony met the wall.  Got ya!!  Given the amount of mutes on the wall and the reports Kathy has received from a friend in one of the neighboring buildings, Jack is making this spot his new pad.  A place to hang out where he can be alone with his thoughts!  Given the bonding and closeness that we witnessed today, I would bet those thoughts are of a prosperous spring!!

         

   

I saw that too - great to see Rhea Mae and Tiago together at the nest.

Beauty did stay there for a long time! She left briefly, at least once.

     

Thank you for sharing the photos, Sage! Diamante and Gleig are a beautiful pair. I hope they will have many very successful years together.

Tiago? captured by Kris G


Need RM!

Does look like a black/black band...and Alison's 11/1 capture is Rhea Mae for sure, so both are OK...

Great catch of Tiago, Donna. Dumpsterkitty, I am so glad to know that both Rhea Mae and Tiago are okay. Thank you!

[Snow has found the roost tree]

A new update on Snow today: I am very glad he is okay.

Snow has found the roost tree

After disappearing yesterday afternoon and causing a certain amount of anxiety, all is now well.  Scott and I found Snow at the top of the usual dead pine roost/feed tree about 50-60 m away from the tree where we left him, in the tiny patch of bush opposite the nest.  It’s a tall tree, so he must have flown well to get up there.

 Mum was sitting quietly in the box, but Dad was patrolling and chattering a warning call, so we didn’t go close.

I did take a photo, but it’s probably not web quality – too far away and backlit, but will have a look tonight.

Orange is expecting some harsh weather in the next few days, so that will be a further test.  These babies are so spoilt as they have been under cover all their lives.

Cilla (relieved)….back to the stats.

Yesterday morning, Swift spent a long time in the nest box:

   

Beau paid a short visit:



Swift came back again:

   

Has anyone caught both Rhea Mae and Tiago at the Sheraton in the past 2+ weeks?  Alison asked on BCAW and I've been looking everyday but have been only catching one each time. Just wondering...

I have only seen one peregrine at the nest since the storm. Perhaps someone else has seen both Rhea Mae and Tiago.

November 1:



Today:

   

[Snow has departe]

Just posted on the website:

Snow has departed

We’re pawing over some very average, (very low light) archive footage from this morning, but it seems that Snow has left us in a squawking, anxious moment, at 5.43am, hanging on to Swift, before taking off out the window. We’ve done a brief recce around the grounds and in the trees first thing this morning, but to no avail yet. The poor quality image from the very old ledge camera didn’t give us a very good indication as to exactly which direction Snow headed, but we’ve got campus staff, including the gardening crew, on the look-out for the first sighting. If Snow is anything like Solo 2 seasons ago we may not find the brat for a few days yet, but long as we get a sighting shortly to know Snow is safe we’ll all be happy. Will also try to obtain handheld video footage soon as possible too……..