Friday, January 16, 2015 - Spring is in the Air

-6 C/ 21 F
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Sunny, Clear and Windy
Cirrus and Mackenzie (not confirmed as yet)
Photos copyright of Bill McCreadie

Despite the cold windy day, Bill took himself off to the Lift Bridge to see what he could see.  Both Cirrus and Mackenzie were very visible. We have not been able to positively identify them as yet this year but we are working on it.

The mating ritual has begun.  Mackenzie seemed to be working on the scrape inside the nest box while Cirrus watched from the corner. I guess he is trying to prove to her that he will be a good provider again.  You can see just the tip of his head and yellow beak in this photo.

There appeared to be something in the area that was upsetting them and both birds took off and climbed until they were just specks in the sky, kakking as they went.  Nothing could be seen with the naked eye.  Several times they took off  towards Burlington in hot pursuit of something that couldn't be seen.

Mackenzie takes off

Mom watched from the cables

Stay tuned, I'm sure we will have lots to report in the days to come.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Photo copyright of Bill McCreadie

Well, I would have to say that the 2014 Fledge Watch at the Burlington Lift Bridge is over.  We have not seen Ghent since June 23.  Here's hoping that he is well on his way to independence.  The photos below are the final ones that Bill got of him on June 23.  As this Fledge Watch has taken up so much of our time, we now wonder, "What will be do for the remainder of the summer?"

Fly high and fly free little one.  Hopefully we will hear about you nesting in your own territory some day.

Hope those of you who have followed along as we have watched from mating, to incubating, to growing, to banding and to fledging have enjoyed the journey.

Tuesday, June 23, 2014

A Peregrine Falcon Growth Chart

As some of you who have been following my Blog are new to Peregrine Falcons, I thought you might find it interesting to see the growth chart of a baby Peregrine.  As we watch these amazing creatures from day one to fledge, it is no wonder that we care so much.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Big Frank's Bench Dedication at Rosetta McClain Gardens in Scarborough, ON

On Sunday afternoon, Bill and I attended the Bench Dedication for Big Frank Butson.  Frank founded the Hawk Watch at Rosetta McClain Gardens in the fall of 2004. He arrived at the park daily before sun up and left at sun down.  He made many friends and introduced many to the bird watching habit. It has been a year since he passed away and about 30 or so Hawk Watchers and friends joined together for this dedication.  It was amazing to see how many folk he had touched during his years at this Hawk Watch. 

In addition to the Raptor Watch, Butson was also a dedicated volunteer with the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. Bill and I had spent many hours with Frank while he assisted us at the Burlington Lift Bridge Falcon Watches in it's early days.  Frank was a fixture for weeks at a time at the various Falcon Fledge Watches across the GTA area. 

RIP big guy.  You will be missed by many.

 

 

Friday June 20, 1014

A TOUGH WEEK FOR FALCON WATCHERS ACROSS SOUTHERN ONTARIO.

While Ghent at the Lift Bridge is doing well, and our Fledge Watch winds down, the news is not as good at other sites around Southern Ontario.  I have lost count of the number of rescues that have been made this week, but there have been many. 

It has been a devastating week for watchers.  In Etobicoke, during the storm on Tuesday, Little Heaton was blown from the nest ledge and was found lifeless on the street.  Pierre, hit the glass windows and died instantly.  As of this morning Skyla and Sunni are missing.

In Kitchener, Soleil and Pippin hit the glass windows and died instantly.  Merry and Helia are still being watched closely.

Keeping my fingers crossed that there will be no more tragedies over the next few days as several sites are just starting their watches.  It is heart stopping as you watch the first flights unfold.  The little ones are clumsy and awkward and do not know how to put on the brakes.  When they leave the nest have no idea what is ahead of them.  They do not recognize the glass windows.  All they see is the sky reflected and they think it is open sky.

RIP little ones and fly high and free.

Friday, June 13, 2014

LET THE LESSONS BEGIN

Photos copyright of Bill McCreadie

Ghent is doing well.  Flying high and landing pretty good.  While I wasn’t able to go the Lift Bridge today, Bill was there a couple of times to check on Ghent.  We have already witnessed some talon touching with Cirrus.  Today, Mackenzie brought in lunch.  Bill witnessed a food exchange with the first live prey that we have observed.  Ghent was accurate with his catch and flew well with it.  He took it to a cross beam on the Burlington Bridge tower to prepare and eat.  Great Job Ghent.

 

Mackenzie Brings Lunch

 

Ghent Reaches Down for the Kill

Ghent Flies With His Prey

Ghent Enjoys His Meal

Thursday. June 12. 2014

Photos Copyright of D. Mulhern and Bill McCreadie

This morning, Ghent was again a little reluctant to show himself.  After some searching he was located on the Burlington Hydro Tower.  Cirrus and Mackenzie were watching from the Hamilton Hydro Tower.  So far he is doing amazing.  Fingers crossed that he continues to thrive.  It sure would be nice to hear of him nesting in a territory of his own some day.

When our friends from Rochester, at  http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/  (Carol, Kathy and Dana) came to assist with our watch last Saturday.  Dana took these fabulous photos of the Lift Bridge Falcon family.  There are some great shots of Ghent stuck on the hole on the bridge and his escapades on the construction scaffolding.

 

 

You never know what you are going to see at the Lift Bridge during a Falcon Watch.  On June 5th as we watched for Ghent to fledge, we noticed a CAF Hercules Plane approaching from across the bay.  We didn't think that it would clear the Skyway or the Burlington Hydro Tower, but it did thank goodness.  You can't imagine what it is like to see this huge plane in flight just barely above the Hydro Tower.

 

CAF Lockheed CC-130H Hercules Aircraft

 

 

CAF Lockheed CC-130H Hercules Aircraft

Within a few minutes of the Hercules flyby, we were entertained by this Helicopter.

 

CAF Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopter

A very close look at these machines indeed.