Third time's the charm for pair of peregrine falcons atop Toronto office tower
(The Canadian Press) – 3 hours ago
TORONTO — Bird-watchers in Toronto are chirping about the latest arrival at a north-end office tower — a newly hatched peregrine falcon.
It's the offspring of a pair that had nested on the top ledge of a building across from the offices of romance publishers Harlequin.
The Canadian Peregrine Foundation has identified the mating pair as Quest — born across Lake Ontario in Rochester, N.Y. — and her mate, Kendal — born at 18 King St. E. in downtown Toronto in 2009.
The foundation says Quest is the first satellite-tagged bird to produce young.
Quest laid three eggs earlier this year, but rejected the other two — raising concern among bird-watchers over the chances for the remaining egg.
The baby has been named Harlequin, since the nesting pair was first spotted by the publishing company's CEO Donna Hayes back in April.
Marion Nash, director of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation says the group's website
www.peregrine-foundation.ca will follow the progress of the family of peregrines, which are a threatened species.
She said the foundation will set up a "fledge watch" to help ensure the baby survives its first few days and flight attempts.
"Often during the first two to three weeks, as unco-ordinated babies, the fledglings lose altitude and come to the ground, get themselves in all sorts of trouble or hit the building trying to land," Nash explained.
"We man the street in teams to keep an eye on them and rescue them when needed and get them back to the rooftop or to a vet if hurt."
Nash said the foundation will be recruiting new volunteers on its website, where a form will be available.
