Canada Falcons: All but those hatched in Rochester

[Donna]

r 1, 2010 - Olympic Glory & More Mating

First of all, WOW, I couldn't be more proud as a Canadian, what an Olympic show beautiful British Columbia and our athletes gave the world! I'd like to especially thank Sidney Crosby for putting the cherry on top with his winning goal in a crazy nail-biting barn-burner gold medal hockey game. I wasn't nervous at all! Thanks to Luongo too, the man came through under pressure in his home town!

No doubt we'll continue reeling from the Olympic excitement for years to come, what great memories!

Back in falcon-land, either the falcons just wait until I come out and look at them, or they're gettin' busy way more than I care to know. Either way, I headed out for a quick dog walk at 1PM and witnessed another mating episode.

Mom was inside the ledge (south end) and Jack was on the edge. I couldn't see Mom but was hypothesizing that perhaps she was on eggs already. A few minutes later, Mom flew out, made a nice graceful circle and landed on the peak of the building. Jack followed suit and hopped on his mate for a quick ride, then took off as usual.

At this point, clearly they're in gear. It's difficult to see what's happening within the ledge, so I'll be keeping an eye out for one/two falcons and watching for hints that they may be incubating. We're debating a new camera at this second ledge but given the current activity it may not be safe to install anything at this point.

More news as it happens...

[Donna]

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2010/03/sightings/still-hanging-in/  go here to see pics

[Donna]

!!! First Observed Mating
March 05, 2010 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:

First observed mating approximately half an hour ago.   Lots of flying and chupping going on.

I had not seen Jack for the past  week or so and was wondering when he would drop by.   Apparently he’s been a busy bird!

We  are aware that Jack has mated with the female at the TR site - looks like it’s going to be an interesting season!

[Donna]

!!! What is going on?!
March 16, 2010 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:

Well Iâ€�m not sure!  The past few weeks have seen our male on site sporadically and many times our female has been standing around in the rain waiting for him.  I have observed mating and food transfers which are all good signs.

Today was different.  When I arrived at the site, I first saw a falcon on the corner of the building rustling up the pigeons and on first glance thought it was Angel.  However as I approached I distinctly heard the sounds of 2 falcons communicating with each other.  Angel was in the nestbox which I can’t see into from the ground and unfortunately we have no way of viewing inside until the web cam goes live.

I can tell you that she spent most of the day in there and the male brought her food and came to check on her periodically.  This would normally be the around time that she would lay her first egg as she is usually first in the city.  However given our male is doing double duty I am not sure if that will be the case this year but I remain cautiously optomistic.

Peregrine Hunting
March 16, 2010 - Toronto - Canadian Tire
Linda Woods Reports:

Tuesday noon hour I found myself at Yonge and Eglinton. I observed one peregrine attempting breakfast over the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton. It broke off the half hearted attempt to chase down the pigeon and flew to the north east  side of 22oo Yonge st., over looking the old TTC bus bay on the south east corner of Yonge and Eglinton.

[Donna]

!!! London nest site has activity with a new male on territory!
March 16, 2010 - London - TD Tower
CPF Postmaster Reports:

We have received some good news from Lara that the downtown London nest site has a new male on territory and he appears to be courting the resident female! After several years of inactivity, things are looking good as it appears that the territorial female has finally attracted an available male.

Both birds were observed circling the tower and one landing at the nest ledge with what could have been a pigeon and feathers raining down shortly after. Clouds of feathers were also observed drifting off the Libro building on York St. the previous week, but the peregrine could not be seen at this time.

Lara

[Donna]

!!! Niagara Falls Peregrines are on territory and appear to be nesting on the Canadian side again this year!
March 20, 2010 -
CPF Postmaster Reports:

With a huge thank you from Connie from the New York State Department of Conservation and one of her dedicated observers (John), we have received some great news about the Niagara peregrines. Connie has just received news from her watchers that there is definitely peregrine nesting activity at the old Ontario Hydro generation plant on the Canadian side of the gorge. The observation reports sent into Connie and later forwarded to the CPF reads:

“I just wanted to drop you an e-mail about today’s sighting. I saw the female peregrine in the old scrap site at the old Canadian power plant. She sat at the edge of the box for quite some time and later went inside and seemed to lay down or something and then flew off. The male was also seen on top of the power plant. Both birds were seen flying high above the buildings together getting real close at times. I’m getting a new camera body this week so ill be looking for these birds a bit more this year, I always manage something interesting with these birds�.
John

Fingers crossed that the pair will be successful in producing a new clutch of hatchlings again this year. Stay tuned………

[valhalla]

Great News!  Too bad they were there last year...

[Donna]

 

[Donna]

 Incubation Has Begun
March 24, 2010 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:

We spent a little time at the Lift Bridge today.  One adult was enjoying a meal on the face of the Hamilton Tower and the other was nowhere to be seen.  We went down the road by the washrooms and with the scope were able to see that one adult was in the nest box.  After a while “sheâ€� got up and moved around and appeared to be re-arranging the eggs.  “Sheâ€� stood with her back to the outside and was mantling what I assume are eggs.  We were hoping to see a shift change, but “sheâ€� settled down again and all you could see were the tips of her wing feathers above the edge of the box.

 â€�Sheâ€� assuming it was the female.  We were not able to identify either bird.

Archer Returns to Rochester, NY
March 21, 2010 - New York - Rochester
Carol Phillips Reports:

After an unsuccessful nesting year in 2009, I’m happy to report that  Archer has returned from his migration.  Beauty, the new resident female remained in Rochester through the Winter.

Watchers witnessed the return of Archer on Sunday morning.  Since then, they have been seen inside the new nest box on the Times Square Bldg, bowing and renewing their bonds.

We are hopeful that there will be young fledglings in Rochester in 2010.

[Donna]

!!! Spring Has Arrived!!
March 19, 2010 - Etobicoke - William Osler


Spring is a busy time for all of us at the Canadian Peregrine Foundation as the birds are returning from the south and look to set up shop.  I stopped by the William Osler site today just after 5:00pm and was greeted with the sounds of peregrines in love.  The female flew to the northeast corner of the building and sat calling while the male displayed his flight prowess for her.  Within seconds of his display ending, he landed beside her and copulated with her.  It is unclear whether this pair is the same male and female from last year as the light was poor and bands were not apparent.  One thing is sure though, we have a pair looking to raise a family here.

After leaving the corner of the building, the female flew out front the east side of the hospital and dipped straight into the nest tray where she talked up a storm.  The male was not far behind.  Initially he landed on the “Hâ€� on the east side, all the while responding to her calls with e-chups of his own, until he could no longer contain himself and left his perch to join her at the edge of the tray.  We look forward to seeing more of this pair and patiently await the arrival of eggs!!

!!! King St must be on eggs
March 25, 2010 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:

King St nest must have eggs by now, although we cannot see them at this point in time. One adult has been observed in and around the nest area, but the second adult is not seen. Today I saw one adult on the King Edward Hotel vocalizing ( echupping) It appeared it had prey in it’s talons. I guess calling for the female.

I have seen on the web cam, an adult come into camera view and disappear. Good indication that there are eggs. We just have to wait till they start turning the eggs into the view of the camera to find out how many.

!!! First Egg confirmed!
December 31, 1969 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:

We have received great news today confirming that there is one egg in the nest box and both adults are attending. The adult female spent much of her time today sitting tight on the single egg, likely due to the high winds and colder wind chill temps. Observations also reported that the adults were also involved in further courtship activities and copulation on the nest box ledge.
Stay tuned…hopefully more to come.

!!! Niagara Fall Pefa’s did in fact winter over here. No migration!
January 19, 2010 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:

With a big thank you to Verinica from Lowbanks Ontario, we have received her observation and photo of the Niagara Peregrines on territory. Photos taken Jan. 2010

I was staying at the Fallsview Casino last Tuesday, January 19th when I woke up in the morning and opened the curtains this is what I saw out the window. Sitting on the ledge of the Hotel on the 28th Floor was this Peregrine Falcon. I understand that your organization is interested in hearing about/receiving pictures of the sightings. I have forwarded them to you.

Veronica - Lowbanks, ON

!!! 1st Egg at the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel Nest site!
March 26, 2010 - Hamilton - Sheraton Hotel
CPF Volunteer Reports:

The news keeps on getting better as the arrival of spring moves in. It has been reported that the Madam X has her first egg of the season. With the cold temps and wind chills throughout the past evening, she stayed tight to her incubation duties to keep the egg from freezing.
Stay tuned, as there is likely more good news to come………..

 

[Bird Crazy]

!!! Spring Has Arrived!!


!!! First Egg confirmed!
December 31, 1969 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:

wow that egg has been there for a LONG TIME 

[Kris G.]

!!! Spring Has Arrived!!


!!! First Egg confirmed!
December 31, 1969 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:

wow that egg has been there for a LONG TIME 
               
                 

[Donna]

!!! Spring Has Arrived!!


!!! First Egg confirmed!
December 31, 1969 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:

wow that egg has been there for a LONG TIME 
               
                 

I'm glad someone noticed besides me!!!! I was waiting for the comments! 1969?? Yeah, that be one fermented egg.

BC, that was good!!!

[Donna]

!!! Female still on site
March 26, 2010 - Toronto - Mount Sinai Hospital
CPF Volunteer Reports:

This report comes from a local resident. An adult female peregrine has been seen on the south side louvered ledges of Mt.Sinai hospital on several occasions, including this morning. Last week it was reported that an adult peregrine was sitting on  one of the east facing ledges of the hospital.

No report at this time of a second peregrine in the same area.

!!! No Sign of Eggs Yet!
March 26, 2010 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:

While early last week it looked like our resident pair were about to take the next step in their courtship..things abruptly came to a halt suddenly mid week.  Suddenly here was barely any sign of either falcon and if they were sighted, it was only the female usually on her own waiting for her mate.  It was eerily quiet and having had reports in the area of another male and multiple falcon sightings we were a bit concerned.

On Wednesday of this week Frank and I ascended to a nearby building in order to try and get a look in the nest box as given the prior behaviour we thought surely there might be one egg.   It was a beautiful day and although we couldnt’ see directly into the nestbox due to the high edges - it was obvious there weren’t any eggs as no one arrived for at least an hour.  We would have expected someone to be in the vicinity in case of an intruder but we were met with silence.  After awhile Jack did show up and he did call for his mate and then proceeded to stare at us staring at him and then decided we weren’t that interesting so off he went.  From photos and coordinating with the TR site we were able to determine it was indeed Jack we were staring at that day so that was a relief.

The female showed up once we had descended to the ground so at least we knew both were still in the area.  It’s quite possible that the recent northward migration brought new falcons into the area and perhaps they were occupied with giving them directions elsewhere for a few days.

The past two days both male and female have been onsite and today courtship seems to have resumed as if the past several days never happened.  I witnessed some mating, flying together, the male brought food in for the female and both were in the nestbox several times chupping up a storm.  And Jack even found time to visit his ‘other’ wife. 

It is impossible to determine when or if we will see eggs given he is the male at both sites, sometimes tiercels can do this successfully and other times not so we will continue to monitor both locations and hope for the best.

[Donna]

Mar 26, 2010 - Confirmed (again) - Jack is [still] a dirty dog! + Zero Eggs

The past few days, I've been talking with some folks that monitor the Bloor/Islington nest, and we've been trying to sort out some confusion. Both here and there we've had reports in the past week+ of what may be additional tiercels (males) in the area. Yesterday we were performing forensic audits on photos, concluding that at least one bird seen at Bloor/Islington appears to be Jack.

This morning at 1145AM, I decided to check and see what mischief might be happening here at the ledge. Upon stepping out I immediately heard a lot of vocalization and grabbed the camera even though I couldn't see anything.

Sure enough, a falcon flew out of a ledge (Mom), and headed for some trees off in the distance. I had a feeling I knew what was next and sure enough another falcon left the ledge a few minutes later.

Upon review of the photos, it was Mom that headed to the tree first, followed by Jack. A mating took place "au-naturale" in a tree which is cool. Jack flew back to the ledge following the mating episode which took longer than I've seen in the past.

So, Jack is here, Jack is there, clearly he's busy everywhere! The question remains as to whether or not we've got additional males in the area, which is possible given the timing is right for falcons to be migrating back northwards for the summer.

130PM update - leveraging the presense of window-washers and absense of birds this aft, I can confirm that there are zero eggs on any of the south ledges. In fact, there's hardly any evidence of a scrape. Just logging it for the record.