The last few weeks just flew by thanks to the annual peregrine falcon fledge watch. I have blogged about the watches in the past so here is a little bit about this year from our nearby site at Islington and Bloor.
This year was different because the web cameras have not been working. So keeping an eye on the nest has been very difficult. We knew the time was near but not exactly how near until *BOOM* it was happening. A friend of sorts who lives in a condo across from the birds sent us some photos just days before the first bird fledged. We were like "oh shit, here we go!" The birds did not get banded this year either. Things went wayward ever since the Canadian Peregrine Foundation folded after the passing of one of the founders just over a year ago.
We had four young like usual this year. Two ended needing rescuing from glass balconies where they landed on, got stuck only because the glass is a confusing thing to a bird. They can see out but do not understand why they cannot fly out. It can be a very stressful situation for the birds and they can harm themselves as they try to escape, and end up panicking.
Here is the first bird. Watchers on site at the time were Lucie and Cathy. They saw this bird take flight from somewhere nearby, fly to this balcony, and end up on it. They counted the floors up to where it was, and took note of which balcony. They then ran to the building, spoke with security and got permission from the condo owner to access the unit (they weren't home) and get the bird.
I went down in the early evening for a look around the site and got to see the bird before they took him to get banded. The ladies asked me if I wanted to name him. We were certain it was a male but how small and light he was. Male birds of prey are smaller than the females. Initially I said Lefty. They kinda laughed and asked me why. I said it is because he left the nest ledge first and managed to get to the next ledge just over to the left, and that is where he sat all through my morning watch. So Lefty seemed suiting to me. I was asked to try again. They suggested to think of my favorite car, or something to do with a band or metal music which I am a huge fan of. My next thought was Beaumont. One of my favorite cars is the Pontiac Beaumont. I owned a 1967 convertible for a few years. Man, I loved that car! Both Cathy and Lucie liked that name and the reason why. So, yeah, here you go. Meet Beaumont!
Beaumont getting banded.
Last I saw of him, he was doing great. He's is easy to identify thanks to the banding info along with the temporary strip of blue electrical tape wrapped around on of his bands.
And here is my old 1967 Pontiac Beaumont. What a car! They sure don't make them like they used to.
A few days later one of Beaumont's siblings ended up stuck behind another glass balcony. This story played out quite differently. See, the condo owner was home when the bird ended up stuck on their balcony.
To make a long story shorter, the owner contacted Toronto Wildlife about the situation. They, TWC, in turn managed to get a couple of rescue volunteers who live in the area to assist in containing. Then once contained in a box, they left it with security and had TWC find a driver. I was home when the shout out hit the texts and emails. It said "falcon" at Islington and Bloor, and I just knew it was one of our peregrines. I quickly took the call and got the bird. I ended up taking it up to the centre for an assessment to ensure it was not injured. Thankfully the vet gave the bird two thumbs up and we got back down to the site ASAP. The bird was also going to get banded before being released. And just like last time, I was asked for a name suggestion. I threw out Cyclone this time. Why? Because the falcon was extremely aggressive in the carrier, and thrashed around. It reminded me of the Tazmanian devil in the cartoons where it is trying to break out of the wood crate. My first thought was the name Taz but I shot that one down myself rather fast and Cyclone came up next. A cyclone is a rather violent storm. Also Cyclone is another old muscle car. So, yeah, let's go with that one. Everyone loved that name.
Here she is getting banded.
She's been doing well also. I saw some great flying and landing from both her and her brother Beaumont in the following days.
During the week long watch, my days were beginning before 6 AM. Id' be at the watch by 6:30 or soon after. I'd stay until 10 AM on average. I would then go home for a couple of hours before heading off to work my regular 8 hour shift. I'd be home and in bed by midnight to 12:30 AM. Repeat. It takes its toll on a body!
There was other things happening with the birds but I'll leave it at these two for this blog.
Let's wish them the best as they learn from their parents over the summer before heading out on their own by late summer or early fall.
See you all again in here soon!
