Howdy all! Haven't tuned in in awhile, as super-busy at work, but nice to read Mark's report that Harlequin is now out of the danger period. Certainly as evidenced right now, she is flying beautifully, circling about in the sky above the buildings here! Walking into work this morning, I could hear her vocalizing, so must have been close to breakfast time! Yesterday I witnessed a feeding with Quest: both of them crammed onto one of those little square posts that juts out from the nest building. Harlequin seems to prefer sitting on these to the proper ledges, from what I've noticed. Hmm.

In any regard, I've been seeing lots of aerial action around here. Yesterday both Harlequin and Quest flew toward my window and swooped upward right in front of me: breathtaking! Loving having this little family nearby: certainly makes the workday much more fun!

To anyone who read my post--you probably realize it's TUES not wed---i just did--SORRY 

Hiya! Well, I've been watching lots of action today! Came in and Harlequin was sitting on one of the top ledges of "her" building, then saw two short flights out and around to a couple of other spots on the same building. This girl is having NO trouble with landings that I can see! Kendal was keeping a good eye on her in the morning, sitting very close to the scrape. Then watched a bit of fun with Harlequin and Quest chasing each other to a couple of different spots on the building across the way, saw Kendal bring Harlequin a small piece of food, and, just now, watched Harlequin chase Quest to a ledge. There was a bit of fluttering and Quest flew off to the scrape, while Harlequin sits on the ledge around the corner, looking a bit tired/bewildered! If you look at the camera *right now*, you can just make out a teeny Quest on the nest box!

Yesterday went out to watch at lunch and Harlequin was perched pretty sleepily at the back of the Harlequin building, while Quest kept an eye on her from a nearby spot.

Such a pleasure to watch them interact. And that report by Mark Nash was amazing to read. So far it seems that we Harlequin employees haven't been needed for the official fledge watch and it seems that Harlequin is such a fast learner, with terrific parents, that I may never have to use my towel swishing skills to pick her up off the ground!

Uhhhh... Kat? See? Just takes one sip and you are addicted! (But you are working, right? Just like the rest of us??)

Ha ha. Well...the work is moving across my desk a little bit slower than usual, but I am part of the official fledge watch, which is currently part of my job description. At least...I think it is.

Eee! I watched Harlequin fly past my window and land at the very top of "her" building. She looks like a pro! No landing problem at all! Now she's just flown to the top of the Harlequin building.

So amazing and I'm so delighted she seems to be a fast learner!

She looks beautiful.

Ugh...this is killing me. Wish I could have been there today and I have to be out of town tomorrow...ack! Hope I hear more news on the fledge.

In other news, I was just walking by the Sheraton Centre and saw two peregrines circling above me! Not sure who they were, though.

Balconies like you can climb out your window on to the balcony? Were there doors at one time? I guess it's a good thing because maybe they wouldn't pick that building if they were still attached. Sayin! Good info Carol, thanks!!

Yes Donna.  From what I was told, it led me to believe that people could go out onto the balconies.  There must have been a way to get out onto them.

Actually, they weren't balconies. There were decorative rectangular concrete slabs (70s concrete architecture...go figure!) attached to the protruding blocks you can currently see. About two years ago, one of those slabs on the opposite building (to the right) fell off! I was in the office when it happened and it felt like an earthquake! Luckily nobody was hurt, but there's a daycare in that building and it was all pretty frightening. The concrete slabs were removed quite some time ago and there are currently workers on the other building who are removing the protruding blocks and sanding everything flush with the ledges. Mark Nash was talking about this yesterday, because this same work is supposed to happen on Quest & Kendal's building (the concrete is eroding and has become a safety hazard), but because the building is now a protected habitat...well...should be interesting to see how things go. Hmm.

Wow, that camera is deceiving, I thought the parking was right under her. So many cars, especially at lunch time. Well Kat, your official, way to go. Mark is the best at what he does and you were shown falcon watching 101.  Good luck and I hope no rescues to come and she will fly as well as mom and dad.

Objects are closer than they appear when flying towards you!!

Is she sleeping on another ledge to the left? 

Mark is pretty amazing! And yes...hoping not to have to rescue at all!

We just had feeding time and now you can see Quest on the camera. I keep e-mailing our man Scott to move the camera, but he may not be at his desk right now.

Hi all. Just so you know, that camera has quite serious depth of field issues. Objects are MUCH farther away than they appear! The traffic you're seeing is actually two parking lots away from the building. Granted, there's still a driveway/parking lot underneath Harlequin's perch, but there isn't quite as much traffic in our little family's building.

Anyway, just back from fledge watch training and Mark Nash is pretty confident she'll follow the flight paths of her parents, so she'll more than likely be flying at...well...at me!

We'll be starting watches on Friday nights and I'm quite excited that I may be able to keep a walkie-talkie at my desk! 

Also...she's squawking up a storm today. I'm going to order a peregrine falcon alarm for my car!

What part of the ledge is she on?

Currently she's sitting JUST out of camera range on the part that sticks out to the left of the camera.

Off to fledge watch training in 20 mins! Yay!

If she is like her mother, ahem, it will be interesting!  I'm hoping if she decides to fly in the direction of the parking lot, it will be when folks are in.  Also, not to be an alarmist, but someone once drove off with a peregrine baby on the car and didn't stop so folks need to be aware and watching

Ooh. Will have to get you guys to fill me in on Quest's first experiences! Although, she was carrying a bit of extra baggage! And...ack...a couple of us were just joking she might wind up on a UPS truck and we'd have to keep checking her tracking number. Eeeps!

OMG, Kat!!  I was watching the camera and there was a Staples truck near her.  at one point, she was "above" the easy button on the truck!  May it be easy for her and for all of you!  folks who park in that parking lot may need to be on watch also.  I'm so glad your training is today!

Yes, the parking lot is disturbing. I'm hoping she decides to fly from the front of the building, like Quest and Kendal tend to do. But then, there's the street! Ugh. Looks like she's currently trying to hide from the camera again!

Camera moved!

PS...the ledge looks deceptively lower than it is!

Kat, I share your 

Yep! She seems to be testing her wings quite a lot this morning. She kind of stretches them out to feel the wind underneath them. And much flapping! We're supposed to have our fledge watch training at noon today. Hope it's not too late!!

Well, I don't think our webcam operator has arrived yet, but I've notified him that our Harlequin is now perched on the tiny overhang at the southeast corner of the building. She's hopped 7 ledges down from the scrape and is standing right on the edge flapping her wings intermittently. I believe this is the appropriate moment to use this smiley:


Also, I'm a Canadian who has never eaten poutine and, even though I'm a vegetarian, I don't think I'd ever be tempted in that direction. Just sayin'.