Peregrine Falcon Watch

[Rob'in'To]

I've done 17 hours of Falcon Fledge Watch at Etobicoke Sunlife since Wednesday.  As I have said, a lot of time it's like watching paint dry; but cool things do happen.

Mom Falcon O'Conner kicking the butt of an Osprey out of the area (shot is blown to heck, but it was a spectacular show high above).


This is Layton, one of Big Frank's siblings, who took her first flight off the nest ledge on Friday afternoon.  I had a near 5 hour staring contest with her along Bloor Street.  She needed rescuing just before 9pm when she finally came to the ground.  What a gorgeous young Falcon!


Here is Layton today (Saturday afternoon).  After her rescue, she was returned to the ledge shortly after 10pm Friday and Saturday morning she was out flying around some more and safely returned home later this afternoon.  None of her siblings have taken flight yet.  Go Layton!  


It's an exciting and stressful time watching over these young Falcons as they learn to fly over the busy streets, and around all those glass buildings.  Volunteer watching may not always be a lot of fun, and it's hot and sweaty some days, but so worth it in the end, like above.

[BoboBird]

Sir, my utmost admiration on your efforts (and to those others who do so much for our wildlife).

Thank you.

[Bluffs Birder]

Great photos Rob and thanks for all that you do to help these beautiful creatures.

Walter

[Trillian Flummox]

You are truly one of our unsung bird heroes, for this and so much more. Thank you Rob.

-kris

[Rob'in'To]

Thanks everyone.  

There is a man named Bruce, some of yas may have met, and he's been putting in 16 hour days at Sunlife (booked some time off work to be there).  Raise glasses and cheers for him.  

We had our second Falcon fledge this morning, Shania.  For whatever reason, little "Big Frank" is quite content to stay on the ledge still.  Usually the males fly first.  

Sadly we had a loss at the Mississauga Executive Centre site today.  One the young girls took her first flight and crashed into the reflective glass, breaking her neck and she spiraled to her death.  A horrific sight for a friend who has been on watch over there and she could do nothing.

[lovemypt]

too bad about the Mississauga bird...lets hope this will be the only lost for the nests this year!

[Rob'in'To]

Frank's sister Shania took her first flight on Monday morning.  I got there late in the afternoon.  Even from my couple hours of watch I could see she had herself one big adventure out and about.  She ended up getting into some trouble, having difficulty getting height in her flight.  My heart was in my throat as I watched her go around Sunlife building, she too hit the reflective glass on the building next door, but not hard enough to hurt her.  She lost control and tumbled down the side of the building.  I lost sight of her over the mezanine and eventually she ended up pretty much where her sister Layton did on Friday.  And she then came to the ground about 7pm last night, to be scooped up and brought inside for release later that night.  

These watches are too much at times.   :shock:

[Rob'in'To]

Here's Shania, shortly before she came to the sidewalk and was rescued.  Poor Falcons don't know what the heck is going on.