Peregrine Falcon Fledge Watching 2019

This really isn't a cheat but since I've been so busy with the Falcons lately, and we were due for our July Bird Canada blog, my latest one is over there. Click here to check it out. I really put my heart into this one so I hope some take a moment to view it.

Since publishing that blog, the adventure has continued with our young bird Avro.

About a week ago friend and fellow Falcon watcher Kathy reported that one of the kids hit the glass pretty hard, and people inside the office saw it then veer away from the building, flying lower and lower, then disappearing down into the nearby park. Any glass strike is a concern. At the moment, at the very least, it was good the hit did not kill him.

I got myself together and headed down to go on a hunt for Avro. Bruce who was doing some observations downtown quickly got on the subway and headed to the Etobicoke site. I texted another Falcon watcher, Lucie, who lives in the area and she also came down as soon as possible to help look for him. Kathy was also out walking the area (even though she was supposed to be working).

I should add that Avro's siblings, Bliss and Aries, were sitting atop the condo roof adjacent to the nest. That is how it was figured out who hit the glass. There's that perk of having banded birds which I touch upon in the Bird Canada blog. One of the adults was seen in the park area and we figured they were watching out for their kid. Sure enough, Avro was found on top of a hydro tower some ways down in the park. His stance was good although he was showing signs of getting quite warm as the morning quickly heated up.

I was messaged that Avro was found and was heading over to meet up with the others, and see him. During my walk I tuned into some angry Blue Jays. A sure sign that a predator may be about. Knowing Avro was found and people were watching him, I decided to follow the angry bird calls. What could be the reason for their upset? A Hawk? Maybe an Owl? To my surprise, I found Avro's mom Darcy sitting low in a tree over Mimico Creek. She was watching the ducks below. Way back in the day Peregrine Falcons were called Duck Hawks. We've seen the females, who are much larger than the male Falcons, bring home duck on occasion. I snapped a few photos and then headed over to where my friends were with Avro.

We chatted for a number of minutes before I had to leave and get myself ready for work. Kathy was quickly heading back to the office. Bruce was staying on site for a while to watch Avro, wait to see if he was going to fly, and if he could or not. Lucie was going to hang around for a bit as well but took a moment out to come with me and see Darcy since she was in a great spot for viewing.

Funny thing was I told them I would most likely find a Raccoon before I found Avro since I am good like that. During the dog days of summer I envy the animals.

About an hour after I returned home, Lucie messaged me that Avro took flight and headed for home. He made it to the top of the glass towers with ease. Thank goodness! This is his first known window strike and hopefully his last.

This year at the Etobicoke Falcon site sure has been something. We are quite enamored with the young birds. The new parental pair being Lucky and Darcy have been amazing to watch. At this year's watch, when seeing the kids struggle in their first days of flight, we witnessed on numerous occasions where the adults would come out and try to help the birds get to a safe place to land. The adults would fly under and bump the young up higher, or guide them away from certain points. This is something I have heard they can do but never witnessed in 8 years, well, until now. After these moments, I had wished I had my camera and got some photos, but deep down I know I probably would not have. For one, with a struggling bird, my focus should be on the bird and where it is heading, and not a photo op, especially since I was alone. Also I know that most likely what I saw with my own eyes could never be captured in a photo.

Thanks for stopping in. Next blogs will be over at my Toronto Nest Blog in the coming days.