Canada Falcons: All but those hatched in Rochester

[Windwolves]

Let's not forget that Nick is the son of Miriam who was released in 2003 by the CPF for Project Release.  Miriam ended up in Dearborn, Michigan and during a freezing rain storm, got her tail frozen to a building.  She was found and rehabbed and now she nests on the Whittier Apts in Detroit.  Her long time mate Allegro, now 14 years old, was just injured in a fight weeks ago and is rehab.  A new boy is on site but no ID as of yet.

[carly]

Finally, we can confirm at least three hatchlings at Etobicoke Sun Life!!!

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2013/05/sightings/finally-we-can-confirm-at-least-three-hatchlings-at-etobicoke-sun-life/

[carly]

Hearn peregrines are back on their second clutch of eggs, starting over!

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2013/05/sightings/hern-peregrines-are-back-on-their-second-clutch-of-eggs-starting-over/

[carly]

Don Mills - ICICI nest - Don Mills & Eglinton. Confirmed hatch!

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2013/05/sightings/don-mills-icici-nest-don-mills-eglinton-confirmed-hatch/

[Donna]

!!! Hearn peregrines are back on their second clutch of eggs, starting over!
May 17, 2013 - Toronto - Hearn Power Station

Mark Nash Reports:

May 17th - 2013
A great day indeed in the field for me today with a very successful and very productive day gathering information at several other nest sites that were on my list to visit, combined with clear sunny conditions and allot of good luck, I finished off my day at the Hearn nest site to get an update on the Peter and his new mate.

I can confirm that they are back at it, with incubation duties being observed on their second clutch of eggs, starting over in another location.

It didn’t take me long to locate Peter, (the resident adult male) who was observed on several locations on the superstructure overlooking and guarding his territory, but I must admit it did take me some time to scan the entire superstructure with my binoculars to finally locate his mate, who appeared to be down on full time incubation duties, on a horizontal steel beam tucked in behind some of the white metal wall flashing.

Shortly after I located her, (and only able to see the end of her tail and wing tips that stuck out from behind the metal flashing), Peter did eventually fly in to relieve his mate for a very short period of time. The change-over, (or changing of the guard as we say), happen very quickly,, in only a few seconds as he disappeared in behind the metal flashing from my view. Moments later after hearing the pair squawking to one another, the female suddenly appeared from behind the white metal flashing and flew off out around the building and out of my view. The entire event was over in less than six seconds!!

Needless to say, it would appear that the pair maybe once again involved in incubation activities (now for their second time,, if not their third attempt).

Stay tuned, more to come…….

[carly]

Holy hanna, Mac has some big kids!! 

A Very Noisy Morning
May 21, 2013 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:

Today was the first banding day in Ontario.  Given some changes to the protocol at the Lift Bridge, things were handled a little differently today.  At about 9:30 this morning Clare from the Lift Bridge accompanied Mark Nash from CPF to the nest box in the tower.  The board was placed across the opening and the little ones extracted.  They were brought to the garage in the parking lot for banding.  Anne Yagi and her assistant Karine Beriault from the Ministry of Natural Resources did the honors.  I’m really happy to report that we have 4 very healthy and VERY noisy baby peregrines.  The noise in the garage was unbelievable.  Cirrus and McKenzie did not take too kindly to being separated from the kids.  Within minutes of the young being put back into the nest box Cirrus was there to check on them and to inspect their new jewelry.

 

The details are as follows:

Lancaster:  Male - 702 grams - 25 days old - black band 90/Y with yellow tape

Isabelle:  Female 974 grams - 25 days old - black band S/26 with red tape

Sarah: Female - 1014 grams - 26 days old - banded band S/27 with green tape

Hadfield:  Female - 987 grams - 26 days old - black band S/28 with blue tape


Many thanks to Ann and Karine from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Lee Chan, Clare, John and Todd from PWGSC for their assistance today.


Photos will follow shortly.

[Donna]

Your not kidding, they are huge!! So far, girls rule!! 

[MAK]

Holy moly Sarah is big,big,big! 

[Donna]

Two Chicks Confirmed in Waterloo
May 11, 2013 - Kitchener - Sun Life Centre

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Bruce and I headed out to the Waterloo territory to confirm or deny my observation of a hatch on May 7th at the CTV studio where Statler and Caster had chosen to nest in the communications drum on the tower.  When we arrived, Statler was in the drum and looking like a muffin top.  Based on photographs and observation that I had made previously from the same watch location, I could confirm without doubt that she was elevated and not lying flat in the base of the drum.  Caster was sitting above her on the center drum arm and was sleeping the day away.  The weather was cold and crisp so Bruce and I were in for a good ole fashioned sit in.  For an hour and a half neither of the adults moved much.  Caster stayed on the center arm of the drum and Statler, although sleeping, shifted and shuffled a great deal.  Several times she re-arranged her position but it was always with wings low and small movements.  She was not revealing a thing.  By 3:30pm, Caster moved to the top of the drum and then finally took off to the north and out of view.  Statler continued to sleep in her elevated position and again was not willing to share what she hid beneath her.  At about 4pm, Caster came whipping up King St. with food and Statler waddled to the front of the drum.  She took off over King and met Caster in the air for a most incredible food drop!  She caught the prey and flew up to the top of the drum to prepare it.  All this time Bruce and I were on that drum and not so much as sneezing as this was our chance, our one opportunity to see whether the news was true.  As the drum environment began to cool, we caught movement in the back.  First one, then another began to move and we could clearly count two little heads moving in search of Mommy and her warm belly.  It was a full 10 minutes before Statler returned to the drum and began to feed the two visible chicks in turn.  I snapped as many pictures as I could but from the high school it can be really difficult to catch the detail of the feeding.  Caster had since landed on the top of the drum and was watching closely as his offspring were being delicately cared for.  As the feeding finished, Statler consumed the remaining prey and snuggled back down on top of her brood.  This is when Caster began to alarm.

We scanned the sky for what caught Caster’s attention and at first we couldn’t see a thing.  Then out of nowhere, in comes a large and dark bird circling.  This was most definitely another falcon and a female at that.  Caster met her out in the air above the hospital as she was circling closer and closer to his family and it was a no holds barred battle between the two.  Caster eventually escorted this female by force out of the territory and to the west.  But she came back.  Within minutes they were once again locked in battle with Caster being the aggressor.  He smacked, dove and flashed talons at her in a complete defensive rage.  This time the two battled out to the east and Caster saw her out of range before returning.  Five minutes later, she was back again!  This time Caster was out of patience and went absolutely ballistic on her.  Full stoops and full contact was all we could see from Caster as he let loose on this intruder that threatened his newly hatched family.  She was again escorted out to the west and this time did not return.  But Caster was wired and was not spent yet.  A Harrier came loping through to the north of the tower and he took out all of his angst on this bird who was now beating a most hasty retreat, one that we haven’t seen in a long time!  Caster was on fire and this bird knew it.  It was amazing to watch this little male doing what he just did with two birds that were much larger by comparison.  He did an awesome job!

So, we have a hatch.  This is conclusive and without doubt.  The amazing staff at Waterloo Sun Life and the local community watchers have already mobilized and the resident pair has the full support of the people who adore them.  Congratulations Waterloo on your miraculous hatch!!

 Pictures will follow very shortly as they are edited.  Check back soon!!

WOW!!!! He's fierce lil guy!!

[carly]

William Osler Has Four!!!!
May 22, 2013 - Etobicoke - William Osler
Tracy Simpson Reports:

This news just in from Ross Bartlett at the William Osler site.  Chessie and Hurricane have four young in the tray!!  Congratulations to the great folks at William Osler and thank you so much for your incredible support of the pair.

 

[MAK]

 

[carly]

On Day 31 from penultimate ..First Hatch Hamilton just now for Madame X and Surge!!!  

 

[Donna]

On Day 31 from penultimate ..First Hatch Hamilton just now for Madame X and Surge!!!  

 

I hear you screaming Carly!!   

[carly]

On Day 31 from penultimate ..First Hatch Hamilton just now for Madame X and Surge!!!  

 

I hear you screaming Carly!!   

She's unbelievable!!  A few people wrote her off due to age and being late this year but look at her!!! 

[Donna]

On Day 31 from penultimate ..First Hatch Hamilton just now for Madame X and Surge!!!  

 

I hear you screaming Carly!!   

She's unbelievable!!  A few people wrote her off due to age and being late this year but look at her!!! 

Like I said------------     Congrats, that's sweet!