I had the privilege yesterday (Monday Jul 11/11) to briefly drive by the Toronto/Don Mills site at about 6:10pm to 6:15pm. Wasn't equipped with binoculars or camera at that time so i can just tell you what i believe i saw.

Once I arrived at Harlequin's back parking lot, I spotted two bigger birds (which i believe is Quest and Kendal) on top of the Harlequin roof facing the back parking lot. Within a few seconds, one started screaming (she must be our dear Quest  ) and the other one quickly tried to get away and flew off smoothly with ease (he must be Kendal). Everything was very quiet again once Kendal flew off towards the wooded valley direction. Also spot two gentlemen sitting in the parking lot of the Harlequin building with binoculars in hand. Big Thank You for them for watching over our Baby Harlie. They seemed very relaxed while keeping a tab on what's going on on the roof. Not much action overall so i guess Baby Harlie    must be resting or having supper.

I was so excited to be able to see Quest and Kendal in person. Very anxious driving through that area. Have never driven so slow and careful before, so afraid of running over any of those precious creatures.

Lucky you, WW, to be able to see Quest and Kendal in action!    What a sweet report!    I can feel your joy at what you saw. 

[Carrie, Thanks for the notice. I would be happy to take Tory out for you-just ask for me in the cottage and I will let them know you will be coming. There is seed in the cottage for $1.00 a bag and some bagged peanuts that work great too. See you Friday.Terry]

Terry's response:

Carrie,
 
Thanks for the notice. I would be happy to take Tory out for you-just ask for me in the cottage and I will let them know you will be coming. There is seed in the cottage for $1.00 a bag and some bagged peanuts that work great too.
 
See you Friday.
Terry

(I had also asked if sunflower seed is still available.)

Carrie

Thanks!   

I have a dumb question;  peanuts?  Are they peanuts in the shell?   
I usually pull them out of my parrot's bird seed because I don't like to feed them to him, and save them for the bluejays and chipmunks in my yard.   The jays swallow them whole -- three or four at a time,and the chipmunks just store mounds of them in their mouths!     I'll bring my supply as well as the left over bird seed  I have. 
I am looking forward to meeting Ei and seeing some of the other folks I've only met once or twice in person!   
What time at Wild WIngs?

As always, beautiful, and moving, pictures,  Thank you, Dana.
 Did Diamond and her  unbanded? male self-select this site?  This is a natural ledge, and not a nest box  that was  in place to attract falcons?  Is that correct?   
A beautiful setting, but these little butterballs are late aren't they?   When will they fledge? 
I know they were moved, but am unsure of WHY they were moved? 

 

Margaret they are indeed late. John S. (the official watcher and photographer for the site) told Joyce and I when we were there on Sunday that they expect them to fledge in about 8-10 days. He will contact Joyce when they do and we will be going back to check them out!   

It is a gorgeous setting for the falcons. 
Did you ever think, MAK, when you signed up last year to watch the falcons, that you'd be going "international"?  Last year Rochester, this year, Canada --next year? The WORLD! 

I would love to join you all at Wild Wings on Friday.  If Terry knows we are coming, I'm sure she would try to arrange for us to see Tory (Peregrine) up close and personal.  I was there this spring with a group from school, and it's pretty amazing to see those wings and her eyes so close.  Also, they typically have small bags of sunflower seeds available for purchase to take on the Bird Song Trail.  You might not want to count on it, but it's good to know if you can't get peanuts. 

It sounds like most will be in Buffalo on Saturday, but if anyone is looking for a relaxing, informative experience in Rochester for a few hours, here is an idea:  A narrated trip down the Genesee River and Erie Canal on the Mary JEMISON, docked just down the street from the Times Square Building.
http://www.samandmary.org/index.php?cat=cruises&page=maryjemison
Reservations required, if anyone is interested.

Carrie

Cool!     Do you want to ride with MAK & I or will you get there yourself? 

I'll have to look at the Mary Jemison schedule later...see if I can squeeze it in somehow...

FYI -- I just checked Mary Jemison schedule :  Cruise at noon, two, four pm.   First one is 75 minutes long, the others are two hours.     Cost is 13. 

It IS much better than looking at the empty nest box, but they sure do look the same pics dad after day
 
I had to check the pics from today to make sure it was today's date!

Beauty and/or Unity need to take some training from Quest

 
YES!

OMG I am ROLMAO.  "Quest is one tough parent, and certainly a demanding sot! .... WOW, is she keeping him on his toes!!! Oh my goodness!! Is she a nag!!!"  

Mark Nash has such a talent to make people laugh when he's talking or writing.  I would love to have seen this report if were written by a woman (LOL).

I do remember watchers saying that Mariah in her first years with Kaver trained him very well.  Yes I agree....Quest is her mother's daughter!

Sorry,Joyce, - and it may be moderated by a MOD - and it's not PC -- but how many of us have "domesticated"  a homo sapien (sp?)  in our day?   LOL  ? If we don't do it? Who does?  

As always, beautiful, and moving, pictures,  Thank you, Dana.
 Did Diamond and her  unbanded? male self-select this site?  This is a natural ledge, and not a nest box  that was  in place to attract falcons?  Is that correct?   
A beautiful setting, but these little butterballs are late aren't they?   When will they fledge? 
I know they were moved, but am unsure of WHY they were moved? 

 

What a most difficult year for falcons and the humans who love them! 

Well said, MAK!

MAK and Ei - for some strange reason, I am off this Friday, and I would LOVE to meet you at Wild Wings.  I have never been there  -  even though I don't think I live all that far away!  I think I've met some of the birds at some school exhibitions, but after seeing  some of MAK's pictures, I'm would love to visit
Tell me time, and where you are meeting, and I can meet you there. 
I am working Saturday, but like you, Ei, I want an enhanced license or to renew my passport for next year to see Quest and maybe Harlie will be in town somewhere!

Knock on wood.  If there is a place where Harlie can get into trouble, she probably will.   But then Quest took her time choosing the right place.  She certainly scouted out Canada and Cape Cod.

and Nantucket.   

And somewhere on Long Island -- according to my Quest Tour Tee shirt!    Or was it Shelter Island ?  Also a VERY nice place!     Quest has been around!   LOL!

!!! Baby H is doing very well indeed!!! She has both parents undivided attention!
July 10, 2011 - Toronto - Don Mills
Mark Nash Reports:

Sunday July 10th - 2011 - PM watch report:

By 9:15pm this evening, Baby H had settled down for the evening, resting on the upper ledge of 240 Duncan Mill Rd building quite obviously pooped out with the days activities. During her late afternoon and early evening antics, she made more than seven short flights from building to building without any problems, gaining altitude from the 5th and 6th floor ledges to the upper roof of the 225 Duncan mill road - (the Harlequin building roof top). This roof top is 10 plus floors in elevation. Quest and Kendal were with her (or should I say almost on top of her during most of the flights), and are incredible parents, especially given that they are new parents!

I must add, that after more than 17 years of fledge watching in the streets - (and at many different nest sites), Quest is one tough parent, and certainly a demanding sot! I have NEVER seen a more “nagging� parent, as Quest constantly pursues Kendal around vocalizing at him during most of the daylight hours!! Even the other fledge watch team members have all come and asked us what on earth does Quest want of Kendal? ? ? ?

She is screaming, pursuing and chasing him all the time even after he brings in food!!! This poor little guy never gets any piece and quiet!! Well, what can I say, family rearing is a demanding job,, and the female falcon wears the “feathers� in the family and its obvious that she feels that she needs to keep him on his toes and is making sure that he is attentive at all times!!

WOW, is she keeping him on his toes!!! Oh my goodness!! Is she a nag!!!

Marion and I closed the watch for the day just after 9:30 pm feeling very good about what had been reported by the fledge watch team from earlier events of the day, and very satisfied with Baby H’s progress during the evening watch. She is doing very well indeed, and obviously benefiting from not having any siblings to compete with for her parents attention!!

The low rise office buildings surrounding this nest site with all of the easy to access ledges are a great benefit both Baby H and the parents. It is also a huge benefit to us doing the fledge watch.

The availability of empty parking lots and open unobstructed air space around the three main buildings is very accommodating and makes this fledge watch a very easy process. There is absolutely no weekend traffic and the area is very quiet indeed! Makes for a very stress free watch in comparison to most of the other fledge watches were involved in.

Quest and Kendal are outstanding parents and are staying tight to Baby H.
Posted on July 11, 2011 12:21 pm
Observation for Toronto - Don Mills

 
This is wonderful!   A nag,  a great mother and father, and a happily flying Harlie!       What more could we ask for in a report?    We knew Quest was special from the beginning!  That's why she is still wearing that transmitter!   We knew she had great genes from M and K!    
And the whole Harlequin Romance thing?     It was meant to be.  
A great report from Mark Nash!
A novel in the making!

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.

Looks /sounds like Kat is addicted!    Lucky you!  Front row seat!

 
This has been a very tough year for our falcons here and abroad.  Lady Gaga- I so hoped that you might be an educational bird after reading this morning's post, but it was not to be.  Fly free, Lady Gaga, with those who have flown before you. Many thoughts are with you.  "May flights of angels sing you to your peace."

Harlie on cam now!!! She's so BIG!!

You are what you eat?

  she is a spoiled little only child of two very egg-celent parents!