Manitoba Falcon Cam Forum
Other Peregrine Projects => Canadian Peregrines => Topic started by: Enraptured on May 25, 2008, 20:07
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Wow, this site and a few of the other Peregrine Cams listed make me realize how LUCKY we are to have our continuous live video! Thanks so much CBC Manitoba, Shaw, and the Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project!
The quality of the video, this site, and all the efforts of the Peregrine Chick and all other involved staff and volunteers is very much appreciated! Thanks for this opportunity to enjoy Princess and Trey's parenting journey and that of their very much anticipated family!
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Watch our chicks being banded on the Banding Video (courtesy of The Hamilton Spectator)
;) Here--> http://www.thespec.com/videogallery/379107 (http://www.thespec.com/videogallery/379107)
Lots of vocalizing :D
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Lunch break for me, and catching up on my reading, thanks Aline for posting the link the video that was cool to watch.
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As of today, all 4 have fledged...check out the blog for some really good entires...
http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/
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Madame X and Surge checked out their garden and renewed their pair bond today:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/hamiltonaug212a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/hamiltonaug213a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/hamiltonaug216a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/hamiltonaug217a.jpg)
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Great shots Alison, thanks so much for sharing! Nice to see mom and dad relaxed and enjoying their garden after such a busy season raising their young :D
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2009 NESTING SEASON
Hamilton web cam back online and with new cameras that have night vision this year!!
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Some interesting news posted on Hamilton website this morning about one of the 1997 offspring who had been nesting in Michigan and was thought to have been displaced...but she's back! Just goes to show how strong their instinct for survival really is.
Great news from Lansing, Michigan! Stelco, the 1997 Sheraton Hamilton female who has nested in Lansing since 2000, was replaced at the nest by a different female after last summer's very successful season. Observers feared the worst. On March 9 Stelco all of a sudden reappeared at the nest and took her 'rightful' place. We will continue to keep an eye on 'our girl'.
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This is great news, Carly! I know a lot of people in Lansing have been very worried about Stelco. She has been at that site for such a long time. It's good to know she is back again.
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What I was thinking when I read this is that maybe..just maybe..they've written Kaver off far too soon! Who knows, he may be out there somewhere and surprise us all by showing up in Rochester yet!
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Hmmmm...while I"m cooking dinner I've got the GRE cam and the Hamilton cam up and Madame X is in the corner where she usually lays her eggs and she keeps looking down under herself. I wonder ....
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Both Madame X and Surge home, when I left this morning and still there now. I have a feeling that if she isn't sitting on a egg right now (she wasn't this morning when I left), then there will be one shortly.
Last year her first egg was laid on March 29th so any time now...
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I couldn't see an egg, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. Madame X was looking well fed.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/hamiltonmar282a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/hamiltonmar284a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/hamiltonmar2814a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/hamiltonmar2819a.jpg)
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I didn't see one either but I did see her pushing her face into the pebbles several times and it looked like she was pushing. At one point, I saw Surge come in and they both looked down at something in that corner she's in now and then he left and she laid down. Five minutes later, she got up and flew off briefly then came back..but I remember Scout did that quite a few times before she actually produced the first egg.
It's hard to see..even with the zoom - it's blurry.
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Both birds will do a lot of nest-scraping prior to actually laying. With Princess she gets calm, almost lethargic in the couple of days before laying begins. Has anyone seen something similar here?
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No haven't noticed her being lethargic, just calmer than she normally is and she hasn't been on the ledge all day like this. This morning though she's laying on the gravel in the pouring rain so I'm going to guess we have an egg or it's immenent as I expect she'd be looking for shelter if there was nothing to protect from the elements?
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If she has a single egg, it can get wet no worries. Incubation doesn't begin until the third (of four or second of three) egg is laid. She may be lying down because its more sheltered there than her other options, and they don't "seek shelter" in the way we mean using that phrase, they just try to find a place they are satisfied is a good place to wait out the weather, be it snow or rain or whatever. Wind is really the only thing they will find a break from ....
As for what is under her (egg or gravel), you'll just have to wait and watch I'm afraid ...
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I could see most of the corner where she hangs out this morning and could not see an egg. She is back there again now. Yesterday she was in that spot for a long time turning back and forth. Hopefully she is preparing for some young.
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Heh..I think I'm just imposing my wishes on them ;) Truthfully it's probably better they take their time as cold air is moving in again tomorrow and the nighttime lows all week will be in the minuses which is below average for this year.
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I haven't seen it, but according to the site the first egg has arrived!
March 29, 2009 - At 14:15 this afternoon Madame X rose from her crouched position in the nest ledge to join Surge in chasing away a small falcon. Falconwatchers who happened to be in our 23rd floor viewing location took advantage of the opportunity to get a good binocular and telescope look into the scrape - and were very pleased to see a nice large brown egg!!! At the moment the egg is not easily seen on the TV camera pictures when Madame X is away because the scrape is quite deep and the egg is toward the back of the ledge. Stay tuned. More eggs should be on the way. Our experience is that the female will lay an egg roughly every other day until she is finished.
I had noticed Madame X being very lethargic for the last two to three days - at times I thought the cam was stuck, since she didn't move for so long.
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Woohoo..I figured there was an egg, 1 year to the day she laid her first one last year!! At times I would think she was lethargic then she'd jump out and fly away so I thought nah..she's messing with us!
I wonder if my guys have an egg now as Angel laid her first one of the 28th last year, will have to check first thing tomorrow morning.
ps: Alison, the cam did get stuck a few times. I'd stare at her and think she was sitting there and noticed the time was 2 hours behind so I'd refresh and there would be no one in the nest. It's jammed a few times today too
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Watchers have confirmed Egg #2 for Madame X and Surge today!!! ;D
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WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! More eggs means more falcons!!!
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I think the eggs are visible in these pics. Maybe a third egg today?
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/hamiltonapr13b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/hamiltonapr15b.jpg)
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Should be a third egg today yes.
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And yes, the eggs are visible in the photo at the far end.
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Three eggs..they think!! It's a miserable day in Southern Ontario, been pouring steady all day..but they think they see 3!
http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/
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From the Hamilton web site, posted today. Madame X and Surge nest on an exposed ledge so they've had a rough couple of days but have managed 4 eggs in spite of the horrid weather!
FOUR ON THE FLOOR!!!!
April 8, 2009 - Poor Madame X. Three days of snow, rain, sleet and COLD! What a way to treat a Lady! "Hmphhh, well I'll show you," she said - and she did. When Madame X took a break from incubating around noon today, viewers were clearly able to see that there were four eggs in the scrape! Way to go 'X'! With warmer weather moving into the area tonight, perhaps the rest of the incubation period will be a little easier for her and for Surge, who does his fair share of the incubating too.
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Congratulations to Madame X and Surge on a full clutch! I caught a glimpse of the eggs earlier:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/hamiltonapr81b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/hamiltonapr82b.jpg)
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Great catch Alison and thank you for sharing with us :)
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From the Hamilton web site, posted today. Madame X and Surge nest on an exposed ledge so they've had a rough couple of days but have managed 4 eggs in spite of the horrid weather!
FOUR ON THE FLOOR!!!!
April 8, 2009 - Poor Madame X. Three days of snow, rain, sleet and COLD! What a way to treat a Lady! "Hmphhh, well I'll show you," she said - and she did. When Madame X took a break from incubating around noon today, viewers were clearly able to see that there were four eggs in the scrape! Way to go 'X'! With warmer weather moving into the area tonight, perhaps the rest of the incubation period will be a little easier for her and for Surge, who does his fair share of the incubating too.
Hmmm, sounds like last year at the Radisson - and she's on the same kind of exposed ledge. Wish them luck!!
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Checking in on Madame X this morning and just caught her listening to her eggs...may have seen a pip on the far one but by the time I zoomed in she had sat down on them so don't quote me on that. Eggs are due to hatch around the 8th of May..so any day now.
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Good luck to this pair. Especially all the work incubating in that nasty weather!
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Surge is one of the offspring of the parents on my ledge so these are the grandkids.. ;D ;D
Interestingly Marco's mom Alberta was born at this Hamilton location and ended up nesting at my location in Etobicoke before she lost the territory and she was Marco's mom. Surge is Marco and Angel's son..so in effect Surge is at his grandmothers birth site..small world isn't it ;)
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I love these family trees. WOW & 8)
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I looked in on Madame X at 6:00 am and thought I saw an eggshell and BCAW is saying they had a hatch however until I see a beak I'm not calling it...I have her up now and will hope she gets up. She is sitting in the 'there may be something other than eggs under me' position...lol.. ;D
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One gorgeous chick in full view right now in front of Madame X...!! ;D
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Official Announcement from Hamilton on Birth of Chick and news on past grandkids: Go Surge!!!
DOUBLE DOSE OF GOOD NEWS - FIRST 2009 CHICK & WEBSTER REPORT!
May 6, 2009 - The long wait IS over for Madame X and Surge. At 09:01 today the first young Peregrine of 2009 made its appearance in the Sheraton Hamilton nest. The image at left shows the chick clearly. The white material at its left is believed to be the inner lining of the shell of the egg from which it hatched.
Wile we were digesting this news from the Sheraton we received word that Webster, one of the 2006 Hamilton Peregrines, has been identified as the female of a pair nesting on a bridge in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. What makes this news even more interesting is that her sister, Albion, has nested on a bridge in Pennsylvania for the last two years.
Stay tuned! Three more chicks to come, we hope! Perhaps more news of birds from previous years
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Madame X listening to her eggs again, I see a nice pip in one of the remaining 3, actually possibly 2 pips in 2 eggs now!
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I love this site. Is there a site I do not like ;D ;D
Way to go Madame X and Surge :-* :-*
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And then there were two :-* :-*
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Evening feeding of the two little chicks going on now, 2 eggs right behind them :-* :-*
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They are sooooooo cute!!!! More white fluffy chicks! :-*
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I think we have 3 babies now, just saw a feeding but Madame X had her back to me so I couldn't see all the heads. After she left thought I'm pretty sure I saw 3 heads and 1 egg :D
It rained all night but has now cleared up so she's getting a nice break now as the sun coming out a bit. This morning when I checked in on her - she was laying in the rain, soaking wet surrounded by fog!
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Well she certainly has not had the nicest weather , has she. Hopefully it perks u for Mothers Day :)
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At least three chicks have hatched at this point. Madame X has not been too willing to provide view of the chicks today.
Thank you for the info on Marco's Mom, Carly!
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/hamiltonmay84b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/hamiltonmay89b.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/hamiltonmay810b.jpg)
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MORE CHICKS TO WATCH!! That's it..I officially can't decide which cam to watch...I think I need more computer screens ::)
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IT'S A GO - ONE MO!
May 13, 2009 - After last weekend, anyone who thought that falconwatching is always an exact science knows better. "Four? No three. Well maybe four. Are you sure? No." The question was settled yesterday afternoon when a telescope view from the Stelco Tower showed four separate chicks. The image at left, taken at 05:50 this morning, clearly shows them. As they get bigger it will be easier, of course - unless they are hiding under the overhang or in the corner nearest the camera, that is. Madame X and Surge have been busy bringing food and sharing it out among the youngsters. The fun has just begun!
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I'm so glad all four of Madame X and Surge's eggs hatched!
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/hamiltonmay151a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/hamiltonmay152a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/hamiltonmay153a.jpg)
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Oh yes!! Great news..four chicks!! Excellent!
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This ledge makes ours look spacious and soft ... my butt hurts just watching those chicks sitting there ...
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Banding today :
June 1, 2009 - If around 9:30 tomorrow morning you see a pair of feet in the webcam picture, don't worry! A climber will be descending from the roof of the Sheraton to the nest ledge. The chicks will be placed in a container, then raised up and brought inside the hotel to be checked over by biologists. After being weighed, banded and named they will be returned to the nest. In the picture at left, captured just before 10 o'clock this morning, Madame X can be seen feeding the smallest of the four youngsters, and perhaps filling them all in on what is going to happen tomorrow. The dark lines on the chicks' sides are their dark juvenile flight feathers clearly starting to show.
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Hmm..kids were looking up a moment ago...they must be setting up for the extraction.
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Mom just flew in and looked up and flew right up...guys must be ready to make their move. They've zoomed the cam out too.
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Rope just came down, mom on ledge looking up. Very cool...guy should be descending to grab the kids momentarily.
Man on ledge now!! Mom behind..get him Madame X ;D
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Up go the chicks in a bag to get banded... :-*
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Oh wow...guy sitting on ledge and mom just landed next to him...she doesn't look thrilled!!
Have to go into meeting...!
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Just got out meeting in time to see him putting chicks back on ledge right now!!
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Wow, was that guy ever brave. :o Rapelling down to that tiny ledge and having to deal with the adult right there. I see two little faces and the adult still keeping an eye on the roof, probably making sure that the evil humans have left.
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Yes takes alot of courage to rapel down a building and face a female falcon ;D. Madame X is back again, on edge near kinds looking up and no doubt telling him what she thinks of it all ;D
She's a beauty isn't she :-*
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3 girls and 1 boy here as per Sarah from Hamilton, she just updated CPF site. No names mentioned but I'm sure they'll update their site soon!
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Holy Moly, huge girls, even the boy is a good weight!!!
June 2, 2008: Everyone, meet Dixon, Durand, Gleig and Strathcona! Our chicks were retrieved from the nest ledge today by climber John Millar, assisted by Chris Phinney. They were named after two former Falconwatchers, Len Dixon and Don Gleig, and two of the historic Hamilton neighbourhoods the Peregrines use regularly for food trips, and will use soon for training flights. The birds were banded by Anne Yagi of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). As we expected based on the birds' sizes from the video camera, we have three females and one male, all VERY healthy. Dixon, who weighed in at 690g, is the only male. Strathcona (1014g) and Durand (1040g) are big but Gleig (1049g) is, we believe, the largest Sheraton Hamilton chick ever banded
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Boy, am I disorganized this year. :( i have never missed a banding at Hamilton. One year we were teasing them because they had a Hortons coffee cup on the ledge. Now you know they were not going to drink it.
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Great news that the banding went very well! Again...where are all the males?????
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Go take a peek at Hamilton if you have a chance. Big girl sitting on ledge with little teeny bro next to her...these girls are huge!
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OMG!!! :o
I guess us chicks rule.. ::)
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Strathcona, the lightest of the girls fledged yesterday and appears to be doing O.K. Today might be a good day to watch here for more fledges.
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Oh , I better [put the cam up.
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there were 4 on the ledge a bit ago so I wonder if they had to do a rescue
this is from their site yesterday
June 15, 2009: Part 2 - Falconwatch Coordinator Sandra Davey reports: By late afternoon we were able to get a good view of the chick that flew to the Thompson building and by reading her band identified her as Strathcona. (The image at left shows her on the upper ledge, facing Surge, seconds before she flew.) Strathcona spent the entire day on the upper roof of the Thompson building, exploring the roof top and ledges. She seemed quite content to stay there until this evening. Around 8PM, while walking along the edge of the upper roof, she lost her footing and slipped down to the lower roof. She landed there safely and proceeded to spend quite a while pacing back and forth along the west side of the lower roof. She kept looking around and seemed to be trying to decide where to go and whether she could make it back to the nest ledge. She was probably quite hungry by this point as she had not been fed since 7:40AM. Madame X and Surge flew close by several times today and also chased off some gulls that were bothering her, but neither adult delivered food to Strathcona. Around 8:45PM Strathcona decided to spend the night on the south west corner of the Thompson building and settled down. Stay tuned to see where she decides to go tomorrow.
The three chicks on the ledge continued their flapping exercises but seem happy to stay at home for now. Those left on the ledge are fairly easy to tell apart. Dixon is the smallest and he has pale coloured feet. Gleig also has pale feet, however she is a very large, very dark bird. Durand has yellow feet. [/i
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there were 4 on the ledge a bit ago so I wonder if they had to do a rescue
Good question, Bev! When I was watching earlier, I only saw three on the ledge or in the nest area at any time:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/hamiltonjune161b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/hamiltonjune162b.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/hamiltonjune163b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/hamiltonjune165b.jpg)
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Could just be one of the little darlings fledged .... :)
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Yes one did fledge. If you look to the right of the cam, they have daily updates and they do update them every day. She fledged to a lower ledge. She took a few flights yesterday but couldn't gain altitude and came to ground and was put back on the roof.
Their females are quite heavy so not unexpected they are going to have some challenges. They have an outstanding fledge watch here though. The entire birding community comes out to support the family from what I've heard.
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I figured that must be what happened Carly, after that citizens report.
Glad it was O.K. I always check all the news befroe I go to bed
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One on the ledge this evening, probably going to spend the night. Perhaps Gleig?
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/hamiltonjune241.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/hamiltonjune242.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/hamiltonjune243.jpg)
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Two soaking wet juvies standing on the ledge in the pouring rain :-\
Make that three..can see one on the further ledge as well.
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awww...they can't even go play in the puddles!
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Four at the nest ledge today. At least three are juvies - can't quite tell about the fourth:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/July%202009/hamiltonfourjuly23b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/July%202009/hamiltonjuly23wings2.jpg)
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Sure looks like number 4 at the far end to me! (based on relative size not colour)
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Sure looks like number 4 at the far end to me! (based on relative size not colour)
Thank you for confirming that, TPC! I thought they were all juvies, but it's harder to tell with the distant ones when they are soaking wet. According to the site only three had been seen. It's great to see all four!
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Sure looks like number 4 at the far end to me! (based on relative size not colour)
Thank you for confirming that, TPC! I thought they were all juvies, but it's harder to tell with the distant ones when they are soaking wet. According to the site only three had been seen. It's great to see all four!
I could certainly be wrong, but sure does look like a fourth juvie - in my experience, the adults know enough to get out and stay out of the rain, I rarely see them wet unless they are on eggs/chicks ...
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2010 NESTING SEASON
Cam will be going live shortly with Madame X and Etobicokes own Surge still in the vicinity :D
GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER YEAR AT THE SHERATON!
March 3, 2010 - Happy New Year FalconFans!
While 2010 is already a couple of months old, the biological new year - Spring - is just around the corner. Madame X and Surge again spent the winter in their familiar haunts in downtown Hamilton. HCPP volunteers frequently see the pair on the Standard Life Building next door to the Sheraton nest site. Madame X is back for her tenth year and Surge for his fifth season.
As the days grow longer and the breeding season approaches, the peregrines' territorial instincts are on the rise, making them more ready to defend their turf from potential intruders. Local construction cranes and Red-tailed Hawks have already been warned. We are on the lookout for courting and nesting behaviour and expect to see eggs in late March or early April. The falcon camera will be activated in the next few weeks, once we get telephone lines and computer communications set up.
In 2009 Madame X and Surge hatched four chicks, Dixon (m), Durand (f), Gleig (f) and Strathcona (f). Although there were two rescues during the fledging period, all four chicks fledged successfully. You can read more about their exploits in the History section.
Madame X was hatched on a bridge on Pennsylvania Route 309, the Cross-Valley Expressway in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Banded as a hatchling on 7 June 1999, she was known to the falcon watchers in Northeast PA as 'Runaround Sue', a name suggested after she was found running along the expressway guide wall one morning. We are keeping the folks in Pennsylvania posted on Madame X's progress.
Hatched and banded in Etobicoke in 2002, Surge spent at least part of the 2004-2005 seasons trying to establish a nest at the Burlington Lift Bridge. In 2006 he replaced the male at the Sheraton nest and has been in Hamilton since.
Many birds exhibit a trait called 'site fidelity'. If at least one of a pair that used a nest site in the previous year return, and if there have been no significant physical changes to disturb either the nest itself or the birds generally, they will use the same nest site over and over again, year after year. Peregrine Falcons are known for site fidelity. This will be Madame X's ninth year in Hamilton and Surge's fourth, and the sixteenth year the same nest site on the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel has been used.
Falconwatch volunteers have started raising funds for the 2010 season. While Falconwatch does not cost tons of money, there are expenses to be covered. If you would like to help Falconwatch 2010 by making a tax deductible donation, please click on the 'Make a Donation' link above. Thank you.
To read FalconWatch Reports from previous years, click on the History button above.
Thank you to all our visitors and supporters for your ongoing encouragement
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Hamilton cam just came online! Quest from Rochester has been tracked here as well in the past few days! Will she challenge long time resident Madame X or will she continue on home to Rochester!
http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/
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Madame X and Surge are in the house ;D
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Hamilton has apparently had a visitor -- Quest from Rochester.
From Imprints on March 14:
The past few days have found Quest continuing her westward move. She spent a couple of days in Port Colborne, in pretty close proximity to the Archer Daniels Midland mill where Freedom had been the resident male until 2009. Then yesterday he headed north to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton.
Of course, Hamilton has a resident Peregrine pair, Madame X and Surge. According to Hamilton resident and Falconcam fan David Bevan, Madame X is very territorial. Hopefully Quest won’t get herself into any trouble while she’s touring along the west end of Lake Ontario!
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One adult on the ledge:
(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/hamiltonmar262.jpg) (http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/hamiltonmar263.jpg)
(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/hamiltonmar264.jpg)
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TWO EGGS AND A HELPER (MAYBE?)
April 1, 2010 - Earlier today we were able to see that Madame X is now incubating two eggs. Although the time spread between the first and second egg has been longer than normal, this may only indicate the change in the weather. Madame X and Surge are not used to balmy temperatures in late March and early April! The photo at left shows Madame X and the first egg (brown spot at bottom right) at 11:15 yesterday. While the adults' shadows may block the camera's view of the eggs, they are easily visible by telescope from the Stelco Tower when the adult moves away from the scrape (which seems even deeper this year than last).
We can also report that a juvenile Peregrine Falcon keeps dropping in, landing on various buildings and hanging around until Surge chases him/her off. Is this one of last year's chicks come back to help Mom and Dad? (This is know to happen with Crows.) Stay tuned!
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From the site:
Last week we reported that a juvenile Peregrine Falcon keeps dropping in to the Sheraton/Stelco area. We suspect that it is one of last year's birds, but so far have not been able to confirm identification. While this has been going on in Hamilton, however, Falconwatchers in Cleveland, Ohio have also had a juvenile Peregrine drop into their site on a bridge over the Cuyahoga River, which runs through the city. The intruding bird has been identified as our very own Durand, fledged from the Sheraton nest last summer. What is it about our birds and bridges?
Glad to hear that Durand has been sighted (at the site belonging to Rocky and Lara), and maybe another of last year's juvies too.
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FOUR ON THE FLOOR ONCE MORE!!!!
April 10, 2010 - Lead Monitor Audrey Gamble reports: Once again Madame X has laid four eggs in the Sheraton Hamilton nest. The wet and cold weather has kept her very close to the scrape all week, and it was cold and windy up there again today, but at 13:35 she left the nest and let us have a good look the four big brown bruisers in the image at left! What pulled her off the nest was the need to chase the juvenile Peregrine, who is still hanging around. Surge had visited the nest just before Madame X departed but he must have stayed close by. When she took off after the youngster, he appeared out of nowhere to tend the eggs. This is the second time we have seen her leave the nest to pursue the stranger. Then, obviously pumped full of adrenaline, and just because she could, Madame X knocked the stuffings out of a passing Turkey Vulture. We have had a lot of TVs through the downtown the last few days but they have not gotten a rise out of our birds until today. When MX was chasing the immature I had a sense of them being similar in size, so the visitor could be a female?
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ALL QUIET ON THE SHERATON FRONT - THAT PESKY WEED!
April 17, 2010 - There hasn't been much action since our last update a week ago, unless of course you consider our weed's growth to be a form of action. Every year since this ugly piece of vegetation first appeared we have tried to remove it but, as you can see, so far without success. We even tried once in the middle of winter using a long tree pruner and a metal wire snare, but no joy. There's not much we can do until Banding Day, except to hope that our view of the eggs will not be completely impeded. This is almost the hardest part of Falconwatch - it's tough to see the adults sitting day after day through all types of weather. The image at left shows Surge when he stopped in for a brief visit with Madame X around 9:40 this morning. The good news is that if all goes well we should see some white fluff balls around Mother's Day. Keep that thought in mind folks, and stay tuned.
Our thanks to the Sheraton Hamilton for putting off needed repairs to the sign at the King Street roof edge. Having workmen up there at this critical time in the breeding process could have been very dangerous for the birds and the workers, so the job has been postponed until after the chicks fledge.
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STILL FOUR EGGS
Tuesday May 4 - Lead monitor Audrey Gamble reports: I had a clear view of four eggs this afternoon when Madame X left the nest to chase away, you guessed it, another Peregrine. A third falcon was in the neighbourhood again. I wasn't sure if the outsider was a juvenile but its behaviour and its interactions with the adults were the same as with the juvenile a few weeks back. The stranger flies around after Surge in a non aggressive way and when he lands the bird tries to land close to him. Surge flies off, flushing the intruder into the air and gives chase, but doesn't attack. Madame X joins in, Surge retreats to tend the eggs and Madame X chases the intruder out of the area. Knowing the extent of injuries that adult Peregrines can inflict on one another and on precocious juveniles in a territorial rivalry, I have to say that the adults are being uncharacteristically mild mannered.
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FIRST CHICK OF 2010!!!!!
May 6, 2010 - Lead monitor Audrey Gamble reports: The long wait IS over for Madame X and Surge. The image at left, taken at 10:02 this morning, clearly shows the first young Peregrine of 2010 in the Sheraton Hamilton nest. As of noon the presence of the chick and the three remaining eggs was confirmed by telescope. This is one year to the day, and almost to the minute, of the first chick's appearance last year. We are on our way!!!
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Congratulations to Madame X and Surge!
Haven't seen the chicks yet, but both parents are staying close to home:
(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/image002-158-1.jpg)
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Hmmm, another site that could use a gardener. Makes it difficult to see chicks. I don't recall seeing sites with that much greenery in the past - is it new or just worse this year?
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Shows you what a great source of fertilizer poop art is!! :D
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THREE!!
May 8, 2010 - At 14:25 today Surge brought in some food and Madame X stepped onto the upper ledge, providing a clear look at three fluffy white chicks, as seen in the image at left. Today's high winds seem to have bent the weed a bit to the south, providing a better view of the nest corner, and we hope that it will not move back. Getting ready for Number Four - stay tuned!!
(I like the greenery, makes it look more natural. YOu can almost pretend they are on a cliff site and not a concrete slab..well if you ignore the glass windows ::) )
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Not sure how many peregrine nests on cliffs I've seen with vegetation like that though!!!
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A view of the chicks:
(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/image002-558-1.jpg) (http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/image002-2308-1.jpg)
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FOUR ON THE FLOOR ONCE MORE!!
May 10, 2010 - Lead monitor Audrey Gamble reports: At 12:18 today Madame X and Surge completed what has become an annual Mother's Day Weekend event - successful hatching of four apparently healthy chicks. In the image at left, taken at 14:37 this afternoon, it looks like X and Surge (back to the camera) are congratulating each other on a job well done, so far. In the background, although not totally discernable as separate individuals, are the four chicks. Congratulations, Ma and Pa!
Now the fun begins. Banding will be in about 3-4 weeks - watch how these little ones grow in that time. Stay Tuned!
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Chicks waiting patiently to be fed:
(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/image002-1489-1.jpg)
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One hungry chick:
(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/hamiltonmay192a.jpg) (http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/hamiltonmay191a.jpg)
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It's getting pretty crowded in the nest with both the Weed and the Chicks growing like WEEDS!!!! :P....Banding is scheduled for May 31st.
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(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/hb0519133646-crop.jpg)
I think we need to get a bigger apartment!!!! ;D ;D
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Great photo, ballywing! :D
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Another Canadian Pefa settles down in the USA and now producing his own family.
May 31, 2010 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
We have received some great news from our good friends down in New York State from the N.Y.D.E.C. After banding a single hatchling that has was produced at the Grand Island Bridge nest- (on the south bridge), the resident male has been identified by his solid Black coloured marker band as being a Canadian produced bird from Hamilton Ontario.
We have been able to confirm after checking band records that the resident males identity is that of a male peregrine named Duncan. Duncan was produced at the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel nest site in 2008 and he was banded at 23 days old, weighing in at 666 grams (on an empty crop weight) on June 2nd / 2008.Duncan has apparently hooked up with an unbanded female, so her identity and history is unknown.
We have asked Connie if they had any photos that they could send to us of Duncan and his new family.
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The Hamilton 4 were banded today...report by Sara at the CPF.
Well Hamilton is very happy to share that they have 4 healthy Falcon Chicks. We have 2 boys and 2 girls. As per usual they were named after important places in the city. This year the theme was Hamilton Hospitals. We have Peter and Joe, and then Chedoke and Henderson.
We are looking forward to another season of fun in the sun!
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Some concern about the littlest one, weight maybe? No detail given.
WHAT A DAY!!!
June 1, 2010 Afternoon - After a heavy rain storm overnight, Banding Day 2010 turned into a warm blue-sky morning. Veteran climber John Millar coached Chris Finney in his first descent to the Sheraton Hamilton Peregrine nest ledge. Madame X was her usual vocal self, making many close passes and actually clipping Chris a couple of times. The chicks were placed in a specially built four-compartment container, raised up and brought inside the Sheraton where biologists weighed them and affixed numbered metal and character coded plastic bands. Blood samples taken from two of the chicks will be analyzed for contaminants. The four are generally in good condition, although there is a concern about the smallest one.
In keeping with HCPP practice the four youngsters were named after historic Hamilton sites, this year four of our oldest hospitals - St. Joseph's, Chedoke, St. Peter's and Henderson. Meet the new 2010 Sheraton Hamilton Peregrines!
Rest of detail here: http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/
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What a sad sight - soggy chick pile..... :-\ :-\
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/hampereg1275529537.jpg)
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Fortunately, they look old enough that they shouldn't be at risk from the weather ... they are more than 3 weeks old now ...
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It really poured good for a few hours - from all the humidity build up but it's stopped now. You do feel for them though, soon as it started they came to my mind because they are so out in the open.
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Much better today...... 8)
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/untitledAA.jpg)
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They really were wet yesterday, didn't even realize there were three in that pile!!
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Supposed to be 4 of them but the 4th is hard to find!! ???
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DEFINITELY didn't know there was a fourth in there !!!! :o
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There were 4 banded on June 1st - one 'little' chick they had some concerns about - I can't find 4 in there either ??? ???- and I'm a bit worried about the one that has been lying flat on the stones for a very long time!! :-\
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/hampereg1275580223.jpg)
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One didn't eat at all this morning, he was not interested and barely moved.
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Ohhhhh that's not good news.... :'( :'(
This is the latest update on the site- doesn't say much but there does seem to be concern about one chick... :-\
RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!
June 3, 2010 - Despite a record one-day rainfall yesterday, the chicks seem to be doing well, although we are concerned about the smallest one. At 10:20 this morning one of the chicks, image below, probably Henderson, was flapping its wings, a first for the year (or at least the first caught by the webcam).
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/hb0603101634-crop.jpg)
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A few years ago they had some that died with Trich. Hamilton has a 'let nature take it's course' policy' similar to that of Netherlands.
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Poor little guy has raised up his head finally... :-\
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/hampereg1275584175.jpg)
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Would they risk removing that one, out of concern for startling and accidental fledging for any of the others?
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Would they risk removing that one, out of concern for startling and accidental fledging for any of the others?
Nope unless it comes to ground during fledge they won't interfere.
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All awake now finally, one right up on the ledge and little guy seems to have benefited from that extended nap. :-*
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He's about half the size of the others... :-\ - but he's up & about a little more now... :)
And one is up on the ledge!! :o
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/hampereg1275589557.jpg)
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Raining AGAIN!! - Geez those chicks become INVISIBLE when they're wet!! :o
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/hampereg1275596548.jpg)
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That's Better!!! ;D (Sort of) :-\
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/hampereg1275599518.jpg)
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They've all four just had a good feeding..well couldn't the little guy much as big one was in the way but all heads were near mom and food. She's fed them for a good 20 minutes and I see filled crops on them when I zoom in.
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ACK - LEDGE WALKER!! :o ;D
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/untitleda.jpg)
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Well, Mom and Dad always go that way, so I wanna see too!! ;D
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I saw some good feeds here today and the little guy seems to have rallied! Tonight he was front and centre and stuffing his face and he had a big crop so that was very encouraging to see. Let's hope it continues!
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Thanks for passing along the good news on the little one. So often it seems to go the other way.
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When I saw him just lying there for so long, I really thought it was game over. So glad it wasn't!
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Latest news from the Hamilton Falconwatch site: June 5, 2010
Several Falconviewers have commented on the low weights of all this years' chicks compared to weights in other years and at other sites. At banding the low weights and apparently small amount of fungal disease present in their mouths were evaluated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. They were deemed not of enough concern to warrant any action other than returning the chicks to the nest.
The OMNR, which is the controlling authority for all matters concerning these birds, has asked HCPP/Falconwatch to continue to monitor their progress. The picture below, taken just before 09:00 today, shows Madame X and the four chicks during another feeding. As expected, they are showing considerably more dark feathering than on banding day. After another night of heavy rains the youngsters do not seem to be any the worse for wear, but Monday's forecast offers hope for better conditions.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/hb0605084659-crop.jpg)
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LOOKING FOR NOAH
June 7, 2010 - The Hamilton area has had more rain in the immediate pre- and post-falcon banding period than any of the Falconwatchers can remember in all 16 years the Peregrines have been at the Sheraton Hamilton. In the photo below, taken Saturday afternoon, Henderson (BIG yellow feet) was on the ledge, possibly calling for Noah to come by with the Ark and offer help.
Falcon feedings are being carefully monitored to gauge not only how much food is being brought to the nest, but also how much each individual chick is getting right in its mouth. We are grateful once again to our Technowhiz, Charles, for setting up the webcam so we can see what is happening, and at ten second intervals! Stay tuned - here they grow!
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/HendersonOnLedge100605-crop.jpg)
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Fantastic Slide Show of the Banding.... :D :D
http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/video2/Falcons/
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Great slide show ballywing, I wonder if that guy has any puncture marks in his shoulder from Madame X ;D
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Wow, that's a little too close for comfort.
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Thanks so much for posting the slideshow, wasn't Madame X magnificent!! :-*
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Great slide show ballywing, I wonder if that guy has any puncture marks in his shoulder from Madame X ;D
Yes! What a great slide show! :D The talons on those chicks were formidable! :o I was wondering if he had puncture marks on his shoulder too, RCF! :o Madamme X sure did make a valiant attempt to defend her nest! :-*
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Notice in slide show they have a fancy carrying case they used for the chicks unlike TPC and her fancy Home Depot buckets. ;D Whatever works I suppose....
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What great close up shots of the chicks during banding!
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what a great video. thanks for posting the link Ballywing
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UPDATE
June 8, 2010 - HCPP welcomes 2010 Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine. Brad reports: It was another beautiful day in downtown Hamilton. The chicks are currently exchanging their cute fluffy down for brownish flight feathers. All seem to be healthy and were eager to eat when offered food. During a feeding at 18:40 Joseph made his first jump up onto the ledge. That makes it Peter, Henderson and Joseph who have been on the ledge. Come on Chedoke! (We can tell the chicks apart easily this year because each one has a different coloured piece of plastic tape on its metal number band.)
Having gained a little confidence, Joseph hopped up to met Madame X at the next feeding, which took place at 19:22, and tried to take the entire bird from her. After a little tug of war, and nail biting on my part, Joseph lost his grip and fell back into the nest. He then popped up for a third time and helped himself to the food while Madame X fed the others. Peter also spent time on the ledge (that?s him in the image at left, taken at 10:30) and all four chicks could be seen practicing their hops and wing flapping throughout the day. Three up and one to go!
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/TTT.jpg)
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UPDATE
June 9, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: Things were pretty quiet in the nest today. With this morning's rain and the cool weather the chicks didn't do much more than eat, sleep and stretch. When they were awake they could be seen exercising and pulling out their fluffy down. A few times Peter combined preening and exercising when his down feathers stuck to his beak. All four are looking browner every day, as can be seen in the image at left, taken at 09:30 today. Chedoke, younger by two to four days than the others, is still quite white but appears to be healthy and full of energy, especially at feedings when he's the most aggressive of the four. Joseph is getting more comfortable up on the ledge with his brother. Henderson made some attempts to get up today but couldn't quite make it. Tonight they're going to bed on full tummies, having been fed just after 19:00 and again at 20:00.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/YYY.jpg)
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UPDATE
June 10, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: If you checked the webcam today there's a good chance you saw four birds sleeping. It was another restful day for the brood. When not at rest the chicks could be seen preening, stretching, exercising and eating. And eating. And eating. The image at left, taken just after 19:00 this evening, shows Madame X and three chicks during one of the many feedings. (Chedoke was there too, but just out of camera range.) At this point the youngsters are changing so fast, as they continue to grow and lose their down, that they look different every day. There were times today when there was so much down in the air it looked like it was snowing in the nest. Strong gusts of wind this afternoon were a bit of a worry because the chicks are still small enough that a good strong gust might blow them right off of the ledge. Speaking of off the ledge, Peter was flapping hard enough to slide himself backwards. Not quite flying, but soon.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/NNN.jpg)
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UPDATE
LINE DANCING ANYONE?
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/LLL.jpg)
June 11, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: Early today Henderson finally got back up on the ledge to join her brothers Peter and Joseph. This is the first time all three have been seen on the ledge together. The image at left, with Chedoke - note his all dark flight feathers - still in the nest behind them, was taken at 06:52 this morning. By the end of the day they were all looking quite comfortable side by side. The hot sun made it another lazy afternoon in the nest, but there was plenty of exercising, preening and stretching towards evening. The four are getting stronger every minute. All of the wing flapping is convincing me that it won't be long until we start calling the chicks "fledglings". What's a fledgling? A fledgling is a young bird that has recently become capable of flight, learned whatever its parents have tried to teach it, and left the nest. Soon we will have four of them. ;D ;D
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UPDATE
HOW DO YOU LIKE MY PANTALOONS?
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/QQQ.jpg)
June 12, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: Today was another day of eat, sleep and exercise for the chicks and hunting for the adults. At different times Madame X was seen in pursuit of a Mourning Dove and a Rock Pigeon. I saw her tap the pigeon and think that was the 19:30 meal. The youngsters continue to strengthen and develop, and get darker. The contrast between juvenile brown and the white of natal down is quite visble in the image of Joseph - yellow band on still blue feet - at left, taken at 07:08 this morning. The white 'pantallons' on his upper legs will be gone in a few days.
The oldest three, Peter, Henderson and Joseph, are getting closer and closer to the edge of the ledge and flapping up a storm, sending puffs of down drifting to the street below. This also makes it easier to catch a glimpse of them from the sidewalks below; if you happen to pass by during a feeding you will most likely be able to hear the uproar in the nest above. Now that the birds are on the ledge they will be flying soon (Peregrine's first flights usually take place between 39 and 49 days old, depending on how heavy they are. Peter, the oldest, is 37 days old today.) At 05:00 tomorrow, Sunday, June 13, Falconwatch 2010's street watch will begin. Volunteers will be on site until dark every day until the chicks are fledged.
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UPDATE
CHEDOKE COMING ALONG NICELY
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/MMM-1.jpg)
June 13, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: There were some tense moments today while watching the chicks exercising on the ledge. Peter and Joseph are now strong enough to slide themselves backwards with their flapping. More than once I watched them flap themselves to the King Street edge of the ledge and then hop back to safety at the last second. They are flapping their wings for longer periods of time, as well as running and hopping while flapping, which is a sign they will be taking their first flights soon. Even 'baby' Chedoke could be seen flapping his wings, showing almost completely brown flight feathers (image at left, taken at 20:15 this evening), throughout the day. Now we wait.....
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UPDATE
ANOTHER GOOD DAY FOR MADAME X
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/PPP.jpg)
June 14, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: This is an exiting time for Falconwatchers, anxiously watching and waiting for the first chick to leave the nest. I had a special treat today as both Surge and Madame X, on separate occasions, perched right in front of me on the window ledge of the Stelco tower. They truly are magnificent creatures. What was not quite so beautiful was Madame X casting a pellet right in front of me. Eeew! Just in case you don't know, birds of prey don't waste much when it comes to food. They eat their prey, fur or feathers, bones and all, then later regurgitate the indigestible bits in a nice compact little package called a "pellet". During this visit I was able to get the picture of her at left. Around 14:30 Madame X dove from the ledge and caught a big pigeon so low over King Street that, with the extra weight, she had a hard time regaining altitude and just cleared the walkway that crosses the street. She then took her prize back to Stelco to "prepare" it, having a good meal herself before taking the remainder over to the chicks.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/sss.jpg)
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The latest news about the chicks at the Sheraton in Hamilton:
STOP THE PRESS!!! FIRST CHICK TAKES FLIGHT! June 16, 2010 - At 16:20 this afternoon the first chick of 2010 left the Sheraton ledge and flew out over King Street. It landed a few minutes later on the adjacent Thompson building and seems just fine. We think it was Peter but will confirm as son as we can. Stay tuned!
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Great news, Elaine! :D Hope all is well with his/her flight.
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PETER'S FIRST FLIGHT - FALCONS BY SKYPE
June 16, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: If you checked the webcam in the later part of this afternoon you may have noticed one chick missing from the picture. Where's Peter? Well, at 16:20 Peter made his first flight from the nest. We're not sure if it was completely voluntary or if the strong winds 'persuaded' him it was time to go, but off he went. Accompanied by Madame X he did a lap around the Sheraton and looked good doing it. When he couldn't quite make it back up onto the Sheraton he landed on the Thompson building next door instead. The image at left shows Peter seconds before he lifted off. Once on the Thompson building he walked and flew back and forth on the roof for several hours. In the end he decided not to try a second flight today and to spend his first night away from home. Don't worry though, Mom and Dad aren't far away. Sooner or later, most likely sooner, his siblings will be joining him on his adventures away from the nest. Joseph and Henderson are showing signs of restlessness and even little Chedoke, who was back on the ledge again today, was flapping up a storm (of down feathers). They grow up so fast. Just 42 days ago they were eggs, and now they're starting to fly.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/1d580ed4.jpg)
This wasn't the only excitement today. As the 20+ participants in the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Wednesday Night Walk learned more about Peregrines and then viewed Peter close-up from the Copps Coliseum plaza with Lead Monitor Audrey Gamble, Senior Monitor Mike Street and Falconwatcher Norma Bingham were conducting a 40-minute 'Show, tell and question' session with students on the other side of the world. They were connected by Skype through a small computer sitting on the hood of a car in the school board parking lot across the street from the Sheraton Hamilton. (Isn't technology amazing?) With the Hamilton Falconwatch website full-screen on the Smartboard in their classroom as a backdrop, more than a dozen children in Mr. Bayaziti's Grade 3 class at Gulfview Heights Primary school near Adelaide, South Australia heard first how in the 1950s and '60s Peregrines in eastern North America were wiped out by the effects of the pesticide DDT, and then how the reintroduction program launched by the governments of Canada and the United States has been so successful. Each of the Australian kids then asked a very well thought out question and got replies from Norma and Mike. The exchange will continue in the fall when Norma's Grade 5-6 class at St. George-German School connects directly with the class in Australia.
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GETTING UP IN THE WORLD!
June 17, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: Another day of anxious waiting for Falconwatchers. This morning Peter was perched right where we left him at dusk last night, on the lower roof of the Thompson building overlooking the Copps Coliseum plaza (image at left). After a move to the lower roof of the Sheraton and two very good but unsuccessful attempts to get to the top of Thompson, he landed back on Thompson's lower roof where he stayed for most of the day, flying a bit and walking back and forth. Then, shortly after 20:00 this evening, Peter surprised us all when he suddenly lifted off and flew east over the city centre, circled back a couple of times gaining altitude and finally made a very soft landing on the northwest corner of the Stelco tower's 15th floor. Way to go Peter!! Back at the ranch, siblings Henderson and Joseph have yet to take to the air more than a few inches above the ledge, and Chedoke is only rarely seen on the ledge. We'll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/WWW-1.jpg)
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The little one is coming along, can get up on the Ledge now! ;D
6-15-10...CHEDOKE MAKES IT TO THE LEDGE!
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/ooo.jpg)
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"Hey Pete, you comin' back over here or what"... ???
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/9d3a9b27.jpg)
(Chedoke sure has changed in the last couple days!! Not much fluff left!) ;D
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Joseph fledged at 7am this morning andCheroke seems to have changed overnight
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Joseph fledged at 7am this morning...
Great news, bev! :D
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FLYING ON HIS OWN!
June 18, 2010 - Falconwatch Coordinator Brad Asseltine reports: Peter was once again the center of attention on today's watch. Although he is only two days out of the nest, when watching him fly you might think him to be an old pro. Around 11:30 this morning he left the 15th floor of the Stelco tower and flew north, circled west and gained enough altitude to make it onto the roof of the Stelco tower. After that he could be seen throughout the day flying high over the city or perched on the roofs of the Stelco tower, the Fairclough building and the BDC Building . On a few occasions he was even joined by Madame X and Surge in flight. On two occasions this evening we saw all three of them flying together; after the second time he was rewarded with his own private meal on the Fairclough building. Then around 21:00 Peter landed right in front of me on the window ledge of the 22nd floor where I was lucky enough to get the close-up pictures at left. What a charge!!!
Henderson and Joseph are both behaving in ways that suggest either could leave the nest at any minute. Oh, and we can't forget little Chedoke, who is not looking so little any more; he is even browner and was up on the ledge exercising a lot today.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/HAMILTON4.jpg)
When chicks fly is a complex matter of age, development, weight and confidence. The fact no-one has followed Peter yet suggests that his first flight may have been more wind assisted than intentional, but there's no doubt that when he did go he was the most flight-capable of the four.
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TWO AWAY!!! June 19, 2010 - At exactly 07:00 today, Saturday, Joseph took off on his first flight. He was quickly joined by Peter, and the two of them settled down for a chat on the upper structure of the Standard Life building. Details to follow. Here we go!!!!
"I'M Gonna go find Peter & Joseph!!..." :o
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/HAMILTON3.jpg) (http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/hamilton2.jpg)
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Ballywing, your comments for your pictures are such fun!
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We have a ledge near the nestbox in West Winnipeg much like the one here - hope our chicks are able to use it as well as these guys/gals have!
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Yikes, got kinda behind on the Updates!!!!
- As of June 21st, Peter & Joseph were getting better in their flying & landing skills and Henderson & Chedoke were still in the nest, not fledged yet.
- On June 22nd, Henderson finally made her first flight and by the end of the day was doing quite well. This pic is just before she took off.
- June 23rd, Chedoke spent most of the day testing her wings. Peter came to visit late in the day (Peter on ledge, Chedoke in nest)
- By June 25th, 3 out of 4 kids flying, getting better every day. Chedoke practicing her step dancing techniques, but not figured out what the wings are for yet.
- June 26th, All chicks back in the nest for a little reunion.
- June 27th, Chedoke almost ready!!!!!
- June 28th, Chedoke finally takes to the air!! Makes a good landing back at the nest.
- June 29th, more flying, accidental take-off by Chedoke when practicing turned into flight due to strong wind gusts! ....Next day she ended up on a low building marquee & watchers realized she had a wing injury. Rescued & taken to rehab facility.
- By July 1st, the other 3 chicks doing mid-air food transfers & improving their skills.
- July 5th, Chedoke's Xrays show no breaks, wings holding & flapping well. She'll be released soon back to the nest, which is now very empty.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/123.jpg) (http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/456.jpg) (http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/147.jpg) (http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/963.jpg)
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/785.jpg) (http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/789.jpg) (http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/258.jpg) (http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/135.jpg)
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/ballywing/Peregrine%20News/564.jpg)
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Great pics Ballywing thank you! I love that name Surge I will sure be looking forward to seeing these 2 next year!
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Are Surge and Madame X likely to notice she is back?
Will Chedoke not be too far behind the others in flying techniques to participate in all she has to learn? I've always worried about the rehab that might happen during a critical learning phase for a fledgling.
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Thanks for the pics and the updates, ballywing :)
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Are Surge and Madame X likely to notice she is back?
Will Chedoke not be too far behind the others in flying techniques to participate in all she has to learn? I've always worried about the rehab that might happen during a critical learning phase for a fledgling.
Two year ago here another little juvie named Miles had a stint in rehab and when he came back..Surge started attacking him! The other kids recognized him and as soon as 'dad' saw that the kids accepted this stranger he backed off and Miles quickly rejoined the family. For sure she'll be behind but they catch up quickly. Let's hope the other kids are close by and rally to help her. The advantage she has is she's smaller than most females so she will be lighter and more agile so hopefully it won't take her too long to get up to speed.
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Thanks, Carly, interesting and reassuring. I'm glad to know that the siblings might rally to help her along. Maybe this time Surge will have something like deja vu and realize she isn't a threat.
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Two year ago here another little juvie named Miles had a stint in rehab and when he came back..Surge started attacking him! The other kids recognized him and as soon as 'dad' saw that the kids accepted this stranger he backed off and Miles quickly rejoined the family...
That is very interesting, carly. :)
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Sheraton Hotel,
Hamilton, Ontario
Sheraton Hamilton, built in 1985, is a 19-storey, 76 metres (249 ft), 299 room hotel in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Situated on King Street West, East of Bay Street North, the hotel is part of the Lloyd D. Jackson Square Mall complex. The hotel has 1,200 square metres (13,000 sq. feet) of meeting space, and direct connections to FirstOntario Centre (formerly Copps Coliseum), the Hamilton Convention Centre/ Ellen Fairclough Building and Jackson Square Shopping Centre. (source: Wikipedia)
webcam: www.falcons.hamiltonnature.org/?widecamera2 (http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/?widecamera2)
website: www.falcons.hamiltonnature.org/ (http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/)
This webcam and nestsite are maintained by the Hamilton Community Peregrine Project
Resident Pairs & Offspring
- 2013 - Surge & Madame X - ?
- 2012 - Surge & Madame X - ?
- 2011 - Surge & Madame X - ?
- 2010 - Surge & Madame X - ?
- 2009 - Surge & Madame X - ?
- 2008 - Surge & Madame X - ?
- 2007 - Surge & Madame X - ?
- 2006 - Surge & Madame X - ?
Madame X was a 1999 wild-hatch from an expressway bridge in Wilkes-Barre in Pennsylvania. She was originally named "Roundabout Sue" as a common flight route of hers was following the on/off ramps (apparently).
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2011 NESTING SEASON
Hamilton has done some housework on the ledge and a brand, spanking, new and improved web cam this year!!
http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/ (http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/)
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Madame X just laid her first egg. Surge is on the ledge, keeping a close eye on this event.
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Second egg on Sunday morning. The gang in Hamilton is expecting two more, as that is typical for these two. Another egg probably late today and we will see if the fourth appears on Wednesday evening.
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Large, Large pip in egg...can see the chick!! Hatching has started...Cripes..even she's beat us :-\
Edit: Cam zoomoed in and two eggs are pipped...here we go!! OMG..hatch...here comes a baby!!!
http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/ (http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/)
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Wow! Even though I didn't actually see the hatch, carly, I feel as if I almost did, through your excitement and enthusiasm! 8) :D
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From Loriann our roving TO reporter ...
June 02 - Banding Day at the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel!!
Frank and I were able to attend the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel banding today and there were three chicks in this latest family.
They are;
Pigott - Female - 914 grams - Black 43 over Black X - red and green tape
Thomson - Male - 650 grams - Black 51 over Black Y - yellow and blue tape
Gore - Male - 671 grams - Black 82 over Black Y - yellow and green tape
It was a great day and we were happy to be able to attend!!! Congratulations Madame X and Surge!!
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Hamilton Sheraton Hotel banding today
http://youtu.be/qI5-0iJya50
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The latest information from Hamilton:
Thursday morning June 23, 2011 - Senior Monitor Audrey Gamble reports: At 05:00 today a call from Hamilton Animal Control advised us that a Peregrine had been found sitting on a car in a parking lot at King and Bay Streets. This time the species identification was correct. On arrival we found that the car and bird - Pigott - were in the lot across the street from, but not visible from, our normal watching location. It appears that during a major thunderstorm over downtown Hamilton around 23:00 last night she was blown off the nest ledge and eventually came to ground. Pigott has been taken for examination and care. There seemed to be some evidence of bruising. An X-ray will follow to check for wing damage. It will be a few days before she returns to the Sheraton. We will keep you posted on her progress.
I sure hope she is o.k.
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And also from the Hamilton site, some older news on Piggott's adventures, and Madame X's day:
Tuesday Evening June 21, 2011 - Falconwatch Coordinator Alexis Jordan reports: After a relatively quiet day, at 19:00 this evening Pigott made her move, trying to get back to the nest ledge from the roof of the Sheraton pool. It was not to be. Part way up the east side of the building she ran out of steam and slipped back down to ground level on the Thomson building side and out of sight. After a hair-raising few minutes we found her - walking down the ramp of the garage under Jackson Square!!!! Fortunately we were able to do a quick rescue in a difficult space. Because Pigott had bumped the side of the buildings on her way down it was decided to take her for a check up. After a fast one hour car ride, a positive examination, another fast one hour car ride and an elevator trip to the top of the Sheraton, by 22:00 Pigott was out on the edge of the Sheraton squawking like crazy, letting everyone know she was back in town. Stay tuned!
Follow-up for Tuesday June 21, 2011 - Falconwatch Coordinator Alexis Jordan reports: Tuesday's events were hair raising and Falconwatchers again put in lots of extra time due to the difficult circumstances with Pigott. The team did an excellent job looking after her following her first flight and then with the rescue. There were other highlights worth mentioning as well. The male chicks spent most of their time based on the grate on top of the Stelco tower, flying around and catching thermals. They are becoming experienced fliers playing in the sky above us, a real sight to see for pedestrians passing by. The boys were vocalizing, talon touching, and chasing after each other over King Street. At one point this continued for almost five minutes! In the meantime Madame X was out hunting - right in front of our eyes on King Street!! With her skill and size she managed to capture a pigeon off the wall of Standard Life, then flew east with it. The pigeon was so big and heavy that Madame X was actually flying down King Street with it at windshield level. A volunteer and I worried for her safety and came very close to trying to stop traffic. After struggling to get out of the danger from vehicles she managed to settle on a light fixture right outside the entrance to Jackson Square. This created quite a scene for onlookers who watched as Madame X dressed the pigeon only 15 feet up. Feathers were flying everywhere! It was truly amazing for those who watched. She then delivered this meal to the boys, who flew down to meet her and enjoyed their first meal of the day on the Thomson building. Not even a half hour later Surge decided to try to hunting at street level; although a bunch of feathers went flying he just missed his meal.
One other highlight worth mentioning came around 17:30 when two gulls decided to pester Pigott on the Sheraton pool roof when the adults weren't around to chase them off. Pigott kept her eyes on the gulls diving at her and crouched and spread her wings, but stood her ground very well and didn't seem scared! Again, thanks to the volunteers and members of the public who helped make sure the birds were safe on this very busy day.
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The latest on Pigott from the Hamilton site:
Tuesday June 28, 2011 - Falconwatch Coordinator Alexis Jordan reports: Good news about Pigott. She has been responding so well to enforced inactivity that she now has a hearty appetite and has been transferred to a larger flight cage to let her start testing her wings once more. Her flights will be assessed and we hope she will be 100% recovered soon.
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Here is the latest news about our fledging, Pigott, since her return from Rehab:
Monday, July 4, 2011 - Falconwatch coordinator Annika Samuelsen reports: At 18:00 today Pigott was returned to the roof of the Sheraton. She barely put a talon to the ground before leaping into the air. Her flight was strong and directed. Observers watched her fly from the release spot, around the north face of the Stelco tower and past Gore Park, then circle back to the CIBC towers at King and James and out of sight. After an hour of scouring the rooftops to the south and east of King and James Pigott was spotted on the Effort Trust building at Catherine and Main. She spent most of the evening on that ledge, except for a short flight to join one of her siblings in the air. She managed to get back to the rooftop afterwards, although she struggled a bit with the landing. Pigott also reacted to the adults by calling, flapping and running whenever they were nearby.
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More news on Pigott from the Hamilton site:
Tuesday July 5, 2011 - Falconwatch Coordinator Alexis Jordan reports: After hearing about Pigott's flying when she came back last evening, our job at Falconwatch today was to keep an eye primarily on her. As the boys might encourage her to take flight again, we watched them as well when they were heading in her direction. Our concern was whether she could fly upwards! Pigott spent most of the day on a square stone structure on the south wing of the old Royal Connaught Hotel. It was clear that she is an East Hamilton girl. She was sometimes joined by a few pigeons that landed on the corner diagonally across from her, occasionally pestered by the gulls, and even by one of the males. At one point when one of her brothers decided to join her on the Connaught she vocalized, made herself larger and charged him in an attempt to be aggressive and intimidating, or perhaps she was telling him off for because he had not brought her anything to eat! In either case, she was successful and he retreated.
Although occasionally flying, it seemed that the adults and the male youngsters were conserving energy in the mid-day sun. Later, when the sun wasn't so harsh, Pigott took off after an adult. After circling and flying around she managed to get as high as the 37th floor of the Landmark Place building. Though she didn't land there, she showed Falconwatchers that gaining height was not a problem!
Later in the evening Pigott with her empty crop and the boys with their conserved energy took to the sky to give Falconwatchers a hard time. While we have eyes all around the city centre, it is very difficult to distinguish between male and female chicks when they are in the air going at full speed. Finally we had accounted for an adult and two male chicks and the possible general direction of the other adult and Pigott. With much exploring, after the sun went down the volunteers were able to put their ears to good use and managed to hear her vocalizing. With Madame X close by, Pigott was enjoying a long delayed meal on the new Court House at Hughson and Main Streets! We'll see what tomorrow brings.
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What a great report! Lots of detail -- and entertaining, too. :D
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Very good report, Pigott seems like quite the girl. ;D
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I am happy to report that Pigott is doing very well, as the following reports from the Hamilton site indicates:
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - Falconwatch coordinator Annika Samuelsen reports: Falconwatch volunteers enjoyed a beautiful day watching our falcon family. Pigott impressed us again. She could have easily been set back by her time away, but is flying with strength and determination. She also appears to be re-bonding quite well with her siblings, and has interacted directly with everyone now. Pigott was observed picking at a prey item one of the adults left for her late in the day, although earlier she was being fed directly by Madame X. Of course, Gore and Thomson are also doing well and are definitely giving the downtown pigeons a hard time!
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The Hamilton Blog reports that Pigott has proved herself to be a superb flyer and lander. Her stint in Rehab did not slow her down at all. She and her brothers are all going farther and farther away from the Sheraton Hotel, practicing their skills, catching and exchanging food. All is well here.
The Hamilton site is now closing down for the season.
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2012 NESTING SEASON
From the Hamilton Community Peregrine Progect
CAMERAS ONLINE - FALCON IDENTITIES CONFIRMED
March 15, 2012 - Thanks to the generous support of Worldline.ca (a Fibernetics company) our Falconcams are back online for another nesting season (Oh? You noticed? *smile*). Within the first day of operation we captured images of both adults and their bands, verifying that Madame X and Surge are still our resident pair. Both have been busy in the nest scrape... We will start watching for eggs by the end of March.
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So far there is one egg. :)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Hamilton/hamilton002.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Hamilton/hamilton.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Hamilton/hamilton004.jpg)
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Just so everyone is up-to-date, Surge and Madame X have 4 eggs, and both are busy incubating. Madame and Surge are both very experienced, and very good parents, so all should go well here. April 5 was the date for the last egg, so I expect that we will see hatching about May 8. Here is the Hamilton Falcon Cam site: http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/
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The eggs are due to hatch anytime today. The latest report on this site says that you can see a vertical line in one of the eggs, which means the little one is chipping its way out. We can keep an eye on this site while CBC is working on getting its web cams back up to speed.
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Every time I see photos of this site I have this urge to visit after the peregrines have nested and change their gravel - that stuff just looks so darn uncomfortable!
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Wow, you can sure see the pip in the egg now. Maybe for first time, I will see a falcon hatch!
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We have a hatch here
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/sheraton.jpg)
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#2 and #3 arrived on May 6th
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Here is the latest update from the Hamilton folks. Banding will take place on Thursday.
Saturday, May 26, 2012 - After hearing on the Peregrine chat line that the chicks at the Burlington Skyway Bridge and the Toronto Sheraton Hotel were banded a few days ago, our youngsters wanted to know if they were being left out. Not at all. This Thursday, May 31, at approximately 9AM they are going to have visitors. Organized by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, a team of climbers and biologists will carry out an operation involving a descent to the nest ledge, placing the chicks in a special carrying case, raising them to the roof and inside for weighing, gendering, banding and naming. They will then be brought back to the ledge. If still present - it was this morning - the unhatched egg will also be brought back for analysis. So, if this Thursday you see a big pair of feet in the camera view or someone sitting on the ledge, it will be part of that day's activities. The photo at left was taken at 10:11 today. The chicks are going to have to start watching that they don't bump their heads on the brickwork!
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The Hamilton chicks were banded this morning. There are no photos or report yet on the site, but Hanny from BCAW put up a great photo slide show of the guy arriving at the nest from the roof to pick up the chicks, and Madame's less-than-enthusiastic reaction. Madame is not a falcon to be trifled with, that is certain.
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The Hamilton chicks were banded this morning. There are no photos or report yet on the site, but Hanny from BCAW put up a great photo slide show of the guy arriving at the nest from the roof to pick up the chicks, and Madame's less-than-enthusiastic reaction. Madame is not a falcon to be trifled with, that is certain.
CBC has posted a long article including photos and videos for your viewing pleasure at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2012/05/31/hamilton-sheraton-falcons.html
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The Hamilton chicks were banded this morning. There are no photos or report yet on the site, but Hanny from BCAW put up a great photo slide show of the guy arriving at the nest from the roof to pick up the chicks, and Madame's less-than-enthusiastic reaction. Madame is not a falcon to be trifled with, that is certain.
Here's Hanny's video
http://youtu.be/S3OZ8w-aggY
Published on May 31, 2012 by HannyK100
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Just an additional note: in the CBC News story, they show a photo of the good-natured guy who scaled the building and took on the wrath of Madame and lived to tell the story; but boy, does he ever have alot of holes in his shirt!
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All three chicks are up on the ledge. This is pretty scary, more for me than them, I think, because a sudden wind could come along and take one of them off. They are so vulnerable at this age, and so close to the edge!
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Cdn%20Falcons/hamcamtwo1338841013.jpg)
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So far, two of the three amigos here have fledged, Tiffany yesterday and Beckett just a few minutes ago. They have had strong flights and are doing well. Our third bird could go at any time. The fledge watch crew here reports at: http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/
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2013 NESTING SEASON
Surge and Madame X are back again this year. The webcam is live and eggs are expected by the end of the month. The webcam is available on the CBC Hamilton website.
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News story about Madame X and Surge ...
CBC Hamilton - Rare peregrine falcon pair expecting, are stars of webcam (http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/03/20/hamilton-peregrine-falconcams.html)
and our falcon cams get a link under the story - nice :)
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No eggs yet for Madam X and Surge. There's been a lot Activity on the nest ledge, hopefully we'll see eggs soon.
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Our falcons here did not migrate, but it seems that egg laying has been delayed. Madame X usually has her clutch laid by now, but this year the temperatures have been below average and, so far, there are no eggs in the scrape.
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It's beginning to look like Madame X might be coming to the end of her reproductive life, she is 14 next month so that could be the reason we don't have any eggs yet. We're still hopeful since all the other pre-breeding activities have taken place. She visits the scrape often and usually spends the nights there so maybe she's just waiting for the weather to get a little warmer. Time will tell.
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Well, here's hoping for eggs from Madame X, gran. Talons crossed. :)
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Ladies and gentlemen, we have an egg!
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How exciting for Madame X and Surge :-*
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Ladies and gentlemen, we have an egg!
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/hampereg1366218380.jpg)
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I thought I saw an egg in the scrape this morning, and Madame X has been in there all morning with Surge hanging around on the ledge. She moved a little while ago, and now I can't seem to see an egg, but she's been pancaking in the scrape so maybe it's well buried. Here's hoping for more!
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This falcon sure has a very speckled chest.
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She's our beautiful Madame X, 14 years old and still going strong.
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Madame X and her egg made the CBC News
Madame X, with her partner Serge, laid the couple's first egg Wednesday morning, sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 10:55 a.m., said Mike Street, a volunteer with Falconwatch, the organization that monitors the couple and its offspring.
http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/04/17/hamilton-falcon-first-egg.html
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Hooray for Madame X! I thought she might still have it in her, gran! ;D
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It looks like Madame X has laid he second egg. Surge and Madame X have made the scrape very deep this is so it's kind of hard to see, but I'm sure I see a second egg this morning.
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Looks like two eggs to me! :)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/hamilton.jpg)
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Thanks for the photo RCF, yep second egg is here.
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Hooray for Madame X! And what a beautiful screen capture, RCF! She is, indeed, a very beautiful bird! :)
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Three eggs now; third laid at 9:00 this morning.
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We now have four eggs for Madame X and Surge, hopefully we'll have four new hatches in another month or so.
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8) Thanks gran2496!!
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It looks like we have a hatch in Hamilton. There's a broken shell, but Madam X hasn't shown her new baby yet.
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20Canadian%20Falcons%202013/hamilton2.jpg)
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20Canadian%20Falcons%202013/Hamilton1chick2.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20Canadian%20Falcons%202013/Hamilton1chick.jpg)
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Ah, there he is, thanks for the screen capture RCF.
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We've had a second hatch in Hamilton, and possibly the third on the way.
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!!! Second Hatch for Madame X and Surge!!
May 31, 2013 - Hamilton - Sheraton Hotel
Kathy Reports:
What exciting news for Madame X and Surge and all the Hamilton fans!! A second egg has hatched overnight!
There was almost 3 days between the laying of Egg 1 and 2 and the weather being damp and wet, full on incubation likely started earlier than usual hence the delay between egg hatching..that’s the story I’m going with! :)
Congratulations Hamilton!!!
http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2013/05/sightings/second-hatch-for-madame-x-and-surge/ (http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2013/05/sightings/second-hatch-for-madame-x-and-surge/)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/hamilton2chicks.jpg)
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Looks like the last 2 eggs won't be viable so we have two chicks this year hatched a week apart. Banding will take place on June 18.
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I think there was at least 4 or 5 days between the two hatches, but it looks like the smaller one is doing very well. :)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/hamilton-1.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/hamilton003.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/hamilton004.jpg)
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Wow! What a difference in size between these 2 chicks. Amazing the difference a few days makes. I'm glad to hear the "little one" is doing well. :)
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I'm also glad the second chick is doing well. I love your screenshots RCF, especially the middle one where it looks like the little one is looking up at it's older brother/sister.
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Our chicks were banded today, a girl called Laura and a boy (they think) named Brock. The names were chosen in honour of the Bicentennial of the Battle of Stoney Creek during the war of 1812. Both chicks appear healthy and should be ready to try out their wings in about two weeks.
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That's great news, gran! :D Interesting background info about their names.
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BANDS! NAMES! EXTRA PEREGRINE!
June 19, 2013: With major help from climbers John Millar and Chris Phinney, who had to fend off a very aggressive Madame X, around 15:00 yesterday the two chicks were collected from the nest ledge and brought into a reception area graciously provided by the Sheraton Hotel where they were weighed, gendered, banded and named. Anne Yagi of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) first attached an aluminum US Fish and Wildlife Service band with a unique number by which it can be identified in future. Next, a plastic band with a large letter and numeral and a piece of coloured tape, both of which will help identify the birds through binoculars and telescopes, were put on the other leg.
Our theme for bird names this year is "Heroes and Heroines of the War of 1812". Chick No. 1 (left) weighed in at 858 grams, clearly a female, and was named "Laura" for Laura Secord. Chick No. 2 (right)was named "Brock", for General Brock. Brock weighed in at 422 grams, well in the low part of the weight range for a male, but being only 19 days old there is some doubt as to gender. We will have a better idea on that in about two weeks. (No. 2 would have been named "Tecumseh" but we learned that a Peregrine chick at Windsor, Ontario was given that name a few weeks ago and we try not to have two birds with the same name.) Pictures of the banding are now available for viewing!
Click here to View = http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/gallery2013/band2013/
Banding video = http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/gallery2013/banding_video.htm
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Thanks for posting the link, I couldn't figure out how to post. It's amazing the difference a week makes in the size of the chicks. Little Brock looked very tiny beside her big sister.
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Today Laura made the big hop up to the nest ledge. Poor little Brock was looking like she wanted to get up there too!
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/Hamilton2chk002.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/Hamilton2chk.jpg)
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20Canadian%20Falcons%202013/hamilton003.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20Canadian%20Falcons%202013/hamilton2-1.jpg)
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Wow!! :o Great photos!
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Frankly that just looks bizarre. These chicks are 3 days apart? Am I seeing this correctly? Looks like 3 different generations on that ledge.
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I think they are a week apart
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So I just read back and see these two chicks could actually be 10 days apart. Their first egg was laid on the 17th, then 20th, 23 & last egg on the 26th. Well possibly 9 days apart. How come I've never seen this drastic difference in a nest before? Is this only odd to me?
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Wow! That is quite a distance apart! :o Unusual, I think, irenekl.
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According to the information on the website the two chicks hatched 7 days apart. The first chicked hatched on May 24th and the second on May 31st. Maybe just a little miracle going on here. :-* It's probably a good thing only two hatched.
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This really shows what a difference a week makes ;)
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Every time I look at those pictures I just laugh. Thanks for the info, explains a lot.
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I wonder, if Big Laura takes extra days to fledge as a female would, Little Brock might be ready to go about the same time?
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We've had our first flight, Laura left the scrape about 8:40 pm tonight. It's going to be a long night for our falcon watchers. Stay safe Laura!
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FIRST FLIGHT!!!!
Laura took off at 07/07 20:19:35 and flew to the Standard Life building. She then made a brief stop on the upper Sheraton Roof and subsequently flew to a window ledge on the Fairclough building. Full update tomororw morning.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/hamlaura.jpg)
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Yikes! :o Hope all is well with Laura tonight!
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Here she is, not sure where this is from the nest.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20Canadian%20Falcons%202013/hamlaura006.jpg)
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Quite a distance away from the nest, at least four large city blocks.
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Laura came back to the nest to spend the evening with Brock. She is a lovely looking peregrine. If I knew how, I would post her photo.
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Laura
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Hamilton/laura1.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Hamilton/laura002.jpg)
Laura and Brock
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Hamilton/laura003.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Hamilton/laura004.jpg)
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Thanks for posting the photos!
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Yes, thank you very much RCF for the wonderful photo's!
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Here's a link to a great screen shot of Laura.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152036006303219&set=gm.356368601156882&type=1&theater
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I hope I did that right.
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I hope I did that right.
You did just fine Gran :)
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Beautiful picture, Gran. Good looking bird. :)
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Thank you :)
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Yes indeed, great photo of Laura, gran! :D
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BROCK TAKES FLIGHT!!!
A few seconds after 12:08:33 (the photo here) he took off on a series of short flights, touching down on the Thomson building roof twice, then coming to rest on a 5th floor window ledge of the Stelco tower (out of view of our camera).... We will keep you posted on what happens next!
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/brock.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/brock002.jpg)
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Thanks for keeping us updated about these two RCF. The size difference isn't quite as noticeable in your last photo.
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BROCK BREAKS AWAY!!!
Monday, July 15, 2013 - Falconwatch Coordinator Cheryl Dobell reports: A few seconds after 12:08:33 (the photo here) Brock starting running at the west end of the nest ledge and never stopped!!!! Brock first flew to the upper roof of the Thomson building, then dropped down to the next lower roof and next flew to the sixth floor level of the Stelco building where he landed on the window ledge. An hour or so later, possibly startled by someone inside Stelco, Brock slid down the side of the building to the second floor window ledge. Another hour later Brock tried to fly to the Thomson building but wound up on the lowest Thomson roof. Just before 21:00 Brock flew across King Street and landed on a stairway behind Hamilton Place and was taken in hand by our Rescue team. Brock is OK, but after yesterday's adventures has been taken to a medical facility for routine precautionary observation. We will update Falconwatchers via the Web and Facebook pages when we have news.
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BROCK IS BACK AND SHE IS A SHE!!!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 - Falconwatch Coordinator Rachael Belford reports: After getting a clean bill of health Brock was brought back to Hamilton and released on the Sheraton roof, not far from the nest ledge, at 11:37 today. Equally good news is that Brock weighed in at 744 grams, clearly a female weight, so we can use 'her' and 'she' from now on! Based on past rescues and releases, Brock will explore the Sheraton roof a bit, find her way over to the TV camera area and likely, but not absolutely, hop or fly back to the nest ledge. Stay tuned!!
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Thanks for the update RCF. Glad to hear Brock is alright.
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BROCK IS BACK AND SHE IS A SHE!!!
Equally good news is that Brock weighed in at 744 grams, clearly a female weight, so we can use 'her' and 'she' from now on!
Interesting that they should be sure of the gender by weight ... 744g is still within the range of males (500 - 800) but chicks do tend to be at the lighter end of the range ... I'm sure they are right it's just intersting is all. Brock is going to have to chat with Annie about living with the names human give them. :)
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Brock
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/brock004.jpg)
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She's a nice looking bird that is for sure!
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Sure is!! ;D
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LAURA EXPLORES, BROCK SNOOZES
Thursday, July 18, 2013 - Falconwatch Coordinator Cheryl Dobell reports: Today the first meal was delivered at 05:20 to the Standard Life Building, where both Brock and Laura had apparently spent the night. As usual, Laura had her morning work-out by flying here, there and everywhere. Another food drop around 09:00 to the top of Sheraton brought Laura eagerly flying over to accept. Just before this Brock flew from Standard Life towards Stelco and out of sight, her landing location unknown. We spent the next hour or so trying to locate her, without finding any sign!
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/Ham001.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Canadian%20Falcons/Canadian%20Peregrines%202013/Ham004.jpg)
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Brock has had more adventures.
Official Report for Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - BROCK SCARES US TWICE! - Falconwatch Coordinator Rachael Belford reports: On arriving at 09:00 I was informed by our faithful volunteers that none of the birds had yet been spotted, so I settled in for what looked like a quiet day while the girls were off exploring. Although both chicks were spotted on the Sheraton roof around 09:20, and Laura and an adult performed an aerial food transfer around 10:40, I still was not expecting much. This changed suddenly at 11:10 with a call from the people at RBC saying that a falcon had crashed into a window on the 15th floor of Stelco and was on the ledge! I rushed down in a panic to find a flustered looking Brock. At first her eyes were closed and she was holding her left wing in an awkward position. Two members of the Rescue Team arrived quickly and together we watched, knowing that a physical rescue from her then current position was impossible. After a further bit of rest Brock stood up and began to stretch, first the right wing and then the left. After the stretch both wings were in their proper positions and only a few feathers were out of place – she was OK! The picture shows Brock on the ledge. A huge thank you goes out to everyone at Yale and RBC who alerted us to this incident and were incredibly helpful throughout!
At 13:40, Brock left the 15th floor of Stelco and returned to the Sheraton roof. Laura joined her sister for the majority of the afternoon, and both chicks were seen circling and chasing each other over the city. After a nap Brock joined Laura on the window washing beam and let us get this picture. At 19:05, Laura landed on Standard Life with food, probably from an aerial transfer. After this she and Brock were generally quiet but at 21:00, just as we were packing up for the day, they took to the air together with a lot of noise. The pair seemed to be fighting as they disappeared east down King Street. A few minutes later a man came rushing up to tell us that a bird was on the ground. We hurried over and, sure enough, there was Brock - on the floor of a parking garage where they were power washing floors and walls!! We got the water stopped and after a couple of tries got Brock under control and into a rescue box. Although Brock was quite feisty, because this was the second incident of the day it was decided to take her for another medical assessment. We will let you know how she is doing as soon as we hear, likely by mid-afternoon.
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ThanOfficial Falconwatch Report for Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Falconwatch Coordinator Cheryl Dobell reports: While Brock was away Laura continued to fly all over the place, including a brief visit to the nest ledge. After yesterday’s adventures Brock was returned to the Sheraton today with a(nother) clean bill of health! The only change was that her weight had increased by 70 grams! During her release on the Sheraton roof at 14:40 Laura circled overhead as if to welcome her sister home! Rather than hiding like last time, Brock promptly made her way to one of the beams next to the east wall and started calling. Surge flew by occasionally to check up on her, but didn't land with food for about two hours. Brock immediately flew over to grab the meal but in her excitement to eat forgot to think about her landing and ended up knocking both of them down to the gravel part of the roof! Surge quickly took off and Brock stayed out of sight, presumably eating. Around 17:30 Brock reappeared on the south wall of Sheraton where she stayed for the next couple of hours. At 18:00 Laura had a beautiful long flight, soaring over the downtown on thermals for a good five minutes. She ended up flying north and out of sight, but showed up later on the north BDC logo.kfully, Brock is ok.
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ThanOfficial Falconwatch Report for Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Falconwatch Coordinator Cheryl Dobell reports: While Brock was away Laura continued to fly all over the place, including a brief visit to the nest ledge. After yesterday’s adventures Brock was returned to the Sheraton ...........Around 17:30 Brock reappeared on the south wall of Sheraton where she stayed for the next couple of hours. At 18:00 Laura had a beautiful long flight, soaring over the downtown on thermals for a good five minutes. She ended up flying north and out of sight, but showed up later on the north BDC logo.kfully, Brock is ok.
I hope this works, as this is my first post! I am glad to hear that Brock is fine. Perhaps she needs a peregrine falcon helmet and parachute until she is able to fly as well as her sister, Laura. ;)
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I hope this works, as this is my first post! I am glad to hear that Brock is fine. Perhaps she needs a peregrine falcon helmet and parachute until she is able to fly as well as her sister, Laura. ;)
Good news about Brock! And congrats on your successful first post, sparkster! Welcome to the Forum! :D
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Thanks for keeping us updated gran2496. Glad to hear that Brock is okay.
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Good news about Brock! And congrats on your successful first post, sparkster! Welcome to the Forum! :D
Thank you, Kinderchick. I have been an avid cam watcher and reader for a couple of years and am excited about joining the discussions.
I hope Brock is not trying to do too much before she has developed the skills because she thinks she can do as well as her big sister. (Would falcons do that?) She seems to be getting into a lot of trouble. It is worrisome.
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Official Falconwatch Report for Thursday, July 25, 2013 - Falconwatch Coordinator Cheryl Dobell reports: When I arrived at 14:00 there were no birds in sight and I thought it might be a quiet day, but only half an hour later the youngsters proved me wrong! Laura came into view south of Stelco and was shortly joined by Brock. They demonstrated beautiful technique as they flew close together, riding thermals and touching talons. Although there were a handful of very short breaks on top of Stelco this flying session lasted approximately 12 minutes. To date this is by far the longest flight I have seen Brock take! (The photo shows Brock almost fully recovered from her window collision on Tuesday. Obviously there were no after effects!) The pair finally landed, first Brock on Standard Life, then a few minutes later Laura on the north BDC logo. Brock then did a couple of victory laps around Sheraton and settled on the lower roof. At 15:35 the siblings went for a shorter tandem flight; eventually they perched together on the Sheraton. Laura took to the air again at 16:00, first hovering above Brock before soaring high on thermals to the west of downtown and eventually out of sight. She joined Brock atop Sheraton 50 minutes later. Was she off hunting that entire time, or was she hiding somewhere out of sight?
Throughout the early evening Laura and Brock took more short flights, some together, some apart. Around 19:00 there was a food transfer between Laura and an adult on the CIBC logo. Brock was a little bit slow figuring out what had happened, but promptly started circling above her sister screaming out her hunger too! Laura took the meal back to Sheraton where she started to dig in. After a little bit of squabbling, Brock also got a share. Then, only five minutes after Brock finished eating the first meal, Surge came in to Thomson with a second! Laura, who was already in the air, did a fancy back-flip-like manoeuvre to get to the food quickly and finished the whole meal in 20 minutes. The pair then joined up on the Sheraton. They did a lot of beak touching but also appeared to be jostling each other like siblings do. Around 20:40 Surge delivered yet another meal, this time to Brock. She started eating, but it wasn’t long before Laura dropped in, grabbed the food and took it to Standard Life for herself. We left them at 21:00 with Laura still eating on Standard Life and Brock on Sheraton. Even with the sun already set, I’m sure their evening activities were not over yet!
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2014 NESTING SEASON
Madame X and Surge mated and nested at the usual time this year. At least 2 eggs were laid, but the scrape was so deep this year that it was impossible to tell if there were more. About 2 weeks after laying, Madame X abandoned the scrape so we assume that the eggs weren't viable. Madame X and Surge continued to mate and Madame X created a new scrape at the other end of the nest ledge. The new scrape is situated so that the camera location makes it impossible to see into the scrape. Madame X is showing brooding behavior so now it's a waiting game to see if we have a hatch this year. ETA is around the end of May so stayed tuned!
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Thanks for keeping us updated gran2496
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Interesting update, gran. Thanks! :)
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We've had confirmation of at least on egg in the new scrape. We got a glimpse of it on the cam while Madame X was turning it on the afternoon of Mother's Day. Here's hoping that there are more out of sight of the cam and we'll have chicks around the end of May.
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It doesn't look like we will have any chicks in Hamilton this year. Madame X and Surge seem to have abandoned the second nest just before we thought we might get a hatch. Considering Madame X is 15 years old this summer, it looks like she is at the end of her reproductive life. Madame X has raised and fledged 40 chicks since 2001, we should celebrate all her successes.
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Sorry to hear that there won't be any chicks for Madame X & Surge this year, gran. But Madame X's feat of raising 40 chicks to see them all fledge is certainly worth celebrating. :)
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15 years old and 40 chicks - congratulations for Madame X
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It doesn't look like we will have any chicks in Hamilton this year. Madame X and Surge seem to have abandoned the second nest just before we thought we might get a hatch. Considering Madame X is 15 years old this summer, it looks like she is at the end of her reproductive life. Madame X has raised and fledged 40 chicks since 2001, we should celebrate all her successes.
Could be. Might just be that she wasn't up for a re-nest this year, eggs are a huge expenditure of personal resources once a year, let alone twice. The fact that these two gave it another go is quite a feat in and of itself.
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If anyone is interested in the history of the Hamilton Peregrines, you can find it here under the History tab in the top right beside the news button.
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Thanks gran. :)
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Sadly I would like to report that our resident male, Surge, has passed away. Here is the article.
R.I.P. SURGE (2002-2015)
Thursday, March 5, 2015 - The Hamilton Community Peregrine Project regrets to advise all Falconwatchers that Surge has died. Although apparently well when first seen at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) this morning, while being examined he suddenly expired. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to see if it is possible to learn what caused his death.
On 24 January 2015 Surge was found injured on the ground near the HMCS Haida National Historic Site at Hamilton Harbour. He was taken in by Animal Control and then transferred to the Owl Foundation in Vineland for care. It appeared he had been in a fight with another bird. His right nostril was punctured, there was damage to his right cere (the skin between beak and head), and he had a scratch on his cornea. He remained under the care of experts at the Foundation as they monitored how his injuries could affect his eating. Surge weighed in at a very healthy 781 grams when he was being assessed. They thought he was a female at first he was so big! Subsequently Surge was taken to OVC for an eye exam, which showed that any damage incurred in the fight had healed well. Until two days ago he remained under care at the Owl Foundation while the damage to his beak healed. (2006 photo of Surge courtesy of Ryan Laird Iverson)
Hatched and banded in Etobicoke in 2002, Surge spent at least part of the 2004-2005 seasons trying to establish a nest at the Burlington Lift Bridge. In 2006 he replaced the male Newbie at the Sheraton Hamilton nest. He and Madame X fledged three healthy chicks that year, and 22 more in the years up to and including 2013. In 2014 two eggs were laid but failed. A second laying of a single egg also failed. Many of the chicks fledged by Surge and Madame X have settled and successfully nested in or near other cites in Ontario, upper New York state, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
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:'( Always sad when a falcon dies.
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Sadly I would like to report that our resident male, Surge, has passed away. Here is the article.
R.I.P. SURGE (2002-2015)
So sorry to hear the sad news that your resident male, Surge has passed away, gran. :'(
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RIP Surge. May your off spring have long, healthy lives the way you did. I hope Madame X finds a suitable suitor for this year and continues with this nest site.
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http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5462692-another-good-bird-broken-by-a-faithless-mate/
A relative from Hamilton sent this article from their paper. So very sad. :( :'(
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There is another male in the area, so far he hasn't been identified.
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http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5462692-another-good-bird-broken-by-a-faithless-mate/
A relative from Hamilton sent this article from their paper. So very sad. :( :'(
What a lovely, well written article, honouring Surge's life. Thanks for sharing the link, gemcity.
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Yes, thank you gemcity, for the article. It was both sad and funny at the same time.
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Our new male has been identified as Ossie, hatched at the William Osler Hospital in Etobicoke in 2012. His parents were Hurricane Chessie. Madame X is allowing him near the nest ledge, so it looks like he might be accepted.
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Well we've had quite a bit of drama at the Hamilton nest this year. We have a new male, Ossie and now, Madame X has disappeared and there's a new female in town, yet to be identified. Madame X hasn't been seen since Friday when the new female showed up on the nest ledge. We have an idea where she's from, but it's not official yet but she does seem to be an American girl.
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Aww! Poor Madame X! I wonder if there was a territorial fight? :(
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We're thinking there must have been a territorial fight. Madame X was on the nest ledge sometime on Friday with blood on her face and beak and she was holding her left foot in an unusual way. She hasn't been seen since, but we're hoping she has just left the area and accepted that the new female is on site now.
The new female has been indentified as Lily, hatched in Michigan in 2010. Madame X and Surge were our resident falcons for so long, they are really going to be missed. Somehow it seems fitting though, since we lost Surge (I'm thinking as a result of a fight between him and Ossie) that Madame X would be finished as our resident female. Surge and Madame X were a pair for 8 years and fledged 22 chicks during that time so their legacy lives on.
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It is so sad that both of these iconic peregrines are now gone from the nest. Together, they successfully raised many chicks, and it is a tribute to their parenting skills that so many of their chicks have gone on to have nests of their own. To mention only a few: Durand, the resident female in Columbus, Ohio; her sister from the same clutch, Gleig, the resident female at the Central Terminal in Buffalo; Peter, the resident male at the Hearn Power Plant; his brother Joseph, from the same clutch, with his own nest in Beachville, Ontario; and Felker, who last year raised chicks in Buffalo with BB, the former female at the University of Buffalo.
Surge was an exceptional tiercel — an excellent provider, great father and loyal and supportive mate. I hope that Madame X is okay, wherever she is. I hope that people have been looking for her in case she is injured and needs help. She is a very great falcon, sixteen years old this year, a wonderful mother to all her chicks and loyal mate to Surge.
Madame X and Surge are both very much missed at the nest.
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The new male, Ossie, is banded black/black O/8 (that is the letter O, not a zero).
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/hamilton-march-13-1a_zps9meys3qo.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/hamilton-march-13-1a_zps9meys3qo.jpg.html)
The new female, from the Grand Haven nest, is banded black/green *P/*E, but the bands were put on the bird upside down. Also, the bands were entered incorrectly in the database as P/E.
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/hamilton-march-15-2a-bands_zpsgnl6z5ea.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/hamilton-march-15-2a-bands_zpsgnl6z5ea.jpg.html)
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Thank you Alison, Madame X and Surge were very special peregrine falcons indeed.
Another daughter of Madame X's and Surge, Pigott, is the resident female in Syracuse.
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Thank you Alison, Madame X and Surge were very special peregrine falcons indeed.
Another daughter of Madame X's and Surge, Pigott, is the resident female in Syracuse.
Madame X and Surge were, and are, very special to me too. Do you know if there have been any sightings of Madame X?
I had fully intended to include Pigott in my partial list of Madame X and Surge's offspring. In fact, I had been watching her at her new nest, and then I forgot to add her. :-[
And of course there are all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For instance, Gleig in Buffalo's daughter, Alfrieda, raised chicks of her own last year. Durand in Columbus has raised four chicks so far (and she laid her first egg of this year yesterday). When Peter was very young and in his first year at the Hearn Plant, he raised three chicks on his own after his mate was injured and taken to rehab. Pigott raised her first two chicks last year.
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There have been no sightings of Madame X, we hope she has just left the area.
They certainly were very special peregrines and we will miss them. Hopefully, this year will see Ossie and Lily raise some healthy chicks and they all fledge successfully.
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The new male, Ossie, is banded black/black O/8 (that is the letter O, not a zero).
Interesting band - same type as Trey's and other of our birds banded in the 1990s.
I'm assuming he's an eastern Ontario bird - do we know from where he hails?
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The new male, Ossie, is banded black/black O/8 (that is the letter O, not a zero).
Interesting band - same type as Trey's and other of our birds banded in the 1990s.
I'm assuming he's an eastern Ontario bird - do we know from where he hails?
He is from our William Osler site in Etobicoke. They used an older leftover band for him, found in a drawer at MNR somewhere..lol! Ossie was born in 2012 so not so old ;)
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Thanks Carly, that explains both his name and the band!! :)
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Lily
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/hg0401091907_2a_zpsxr94jq9t.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/hg0401091907_2a_zpsxr94jq9t.jpg.html)
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Nice photo of Lily. There has been great interest in the near end of the ledge this year. Lily and Ossie have both been in there checking it out. Courtship seems to be coming along with Ossie bringing an offering of food to the ledge and Lily seems interested in him. Stay tuned, hopefully we will see eggs soon.
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Images of this site show an egg in the front right side of this nest. Additional images with the date April 6,2015 show the egg. The falcon is seen sitting on it. Possibly laid yesterday.
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Yes, we have visual confirmation of at least one egg. Due to the location of the scrape, we may not be able to tell for sure how many eggs until hatching. Stay tuned, time will tell.
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We appear to have at least two eggs in the scrape now.
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We now have confirmation of a third egg. This season will be very interesting since most of the eggs are usually hidden and the chicks will be hidden as well.
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From the Hamilton site today:
Saturday, April 25, 2015 – The Sheraton Hamilton Peregrine nest mystery - three eggs or four? – continues to keep Falconwatchers wondering as the incubation period drags on, as it always does. Based on the date the first egg appeared, a chick should hatch around May 15-20, though it’s hard to say for sure, especially since this may be the first time Lily has laid eggs. Lily and Ossie are paying close attention to keeping the eggs warm - 'shift changes' on the eggs are very quick, taking 10 to 30 seconds at most. Reminding us of the late Surge, Ossie is definitely doing his full share of incubation.
It should be pointed out that because the ledge parapet is in the way, hatching may not be directly visible on camera. We will easily be able to infer this, however, when Lily starts fussing or the adults bring food to the scrape. If chicks don't occasionally poke their heads out, it will be only a matter of weeks before they start wandering up and down inside the ledge.
The city is watching too – Lily, Ossie and Madame X got front page coverage in yesterday’s Hamilton Spectator. We’ve had no further word about Madame X, but hope to hear.
Link to the article:
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5573785-madame-x-is-out-lily-is-in-at-the-nest/ (http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5573785-madame-x-is-out-lily-is-in-at-the-nest/)
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Felker, born in 2012 at the Hamilton nest, a son of Madame X and Surge, continues to nest in Buffalo. Felker was the youngest, smallest, and the last to fledge of the three chicks that year. He had yellow tape on his silver band; he removed the tape immediately after he fledged.
During the time since his mate, BB, was forcibly removed from the Richardson Building, Felker has found a new mate. Her name is Rita, and they are currently incubating four eggs. I hope everything goes well for them, and that they will be left in peace to raise chicks . . .
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The chicks are hatching. It is very difficult to catch a glimpse of a chick, but there is at least one.
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/hamilton-may-16-1a_zpsdskqnzq9.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/hamilton-may-16-1a_zpsdskqnzq9.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/hampereg1431788618a_zps9jwiwvfa.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/hampereg1431788618a_zps9jwiwvfa.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/ham7a_zpsakrq57ql.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/ham7a_zpsakrq57ql.jpg.html) [(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/ham6a_zps2050mlyl.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/ham6a_zps2050mlyl.jpg.html)
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Looks like we might have two chicks now, regular feedings are being delivered to the ledge.
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there are 2 for sure
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The total number of chicks this year remained at two.
This morning, they were banded, weighed and named. They are both female; McMaster weighed in at 728 grams, while Barton weighed 730 grams. According to the site, both chicks were feisty. I did not see either of the parents approach the climber, John Millar, closely.
The ledge looks extremely narrow with a human perched on it; many thanks to all involved in retrieving the chicks, banding and returning them safely to the nest.
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Thanks Alison. This is very good news.
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McMaster is banded black/black K over 28, with white tape over her silver band.
Barton is banded black/black K over 29, with yellow tape over her silver band.
Video of the banding from the Canadian Peregrine Foundation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_aph0qTjkc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_aph0qTjkc)
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One of the chicks, still white and fluffy, made it up onto the ledge two days ago.
Chick 1 figures out how to get up on the ledge:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-1a_zpswo71y836.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-1a_zpswo71y836.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-2a_zpsue6wxie9.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-2a_zpsue6wxie9.jpg.html)
Chick 2 contemplates following, but thinks better of it:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-4a_zpsvhdgfcxr.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-4a_zpsvhdgfcxr.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-7a_zpsyysskjsq.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-7a_zpsyysskjsq.jpg.html)
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After a short discussion, Chick 1 steps carefully back into the nest:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-12a_zpsnfven7sq.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-12a_zpsnfven7sq.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-13a_zpsyuqrp09t.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-13a_zpsyuqrp09t.jpg.html)
Two very well fed little chicks:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-14a_zpswpsfvitt.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202015/hamilton-june-8-14a_zpswpsfvitt.jpg.html)
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Only one chick this year in Hamilton, but a big girl weighing in at 953 grams. Her name is Ancaster.
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As of today, Lily and Ossie have two chicks! Don't know how many eggs were actually laid, since they are not visible on cam.
(https://picload.org/image/dodlwgci/hamilton-may-4-2.jpg) (https://picload.org/image/dodlwgia/hamilton-may-4-5.jpg)
Ossie with his chicks in the next pic:
(https://picload.org/image/dodlwgcw/hamilton-may-4-3.jpg) (https://picload.org/image/dodlwgir/hamilton-may-4-4.jpg)
http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/ (http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/)
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All four chicks hatched. They were banded on May 24, and named Lawrence, Ainslie, Gage and Lisgar. All were named for parks in the area.
Ainslie and Lisgar were the first to fledge, with Lawrence joining them in the air on June 17.
Today, there is very sad news about Gage, who was the last to fledge in the early morning of June 18. Poor little Gage really had no chance to enjoy his life in the skies. :'(
A sad day, but three still doing well
Monday June 18, 2018 - Falconwatch Coordinator Chelsea Decoster reports: Just before 6:00 am Lisgar joined Gage on the ledge for 10 minutes and left, watched by Gage. At 6:24 AM Gage made his first flight, to the next ledge on the Sheraton, and at 7:00 AM a volunteer watched him make a very shaky flight to the roof of Hamilton Place. He moved out of sight there; the volunteers had the other three chicks in view. Around 10.45 AM he was seen to come down close to King Street at Summers Lane and was fatally struck by a car. It was a very sad time for those who saw it and I would like to thank the people who got him off the road and waited for us to arrive.
http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/ (http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/)
Articles:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/8682362-peregrine-watchers-mourning-death-of-gage/ (https://www.thespec.com/news-story/8682362-peregrine-watchers-mourning-death-of-gage/)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/gage-1-of-4-baby-peregrine-falcons-born-at-the-hamilton-sheraton-has-died-1.4713756 (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/gage-1-of-4-baby-peregrine-falcons-born-at-the-hamilton-sheraton-has-died-1.4713756)
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March 26, 2019
Lily and Ossie are still the resident peregrines at the Hamilton nest, and yesterday Lily laid her first egg.
http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/ (http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/)
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Lily and Ossie now have at least three eggs. It is difficult to tell how many, since Lily lays her eggs in the invisible corner of the ledge.
(https://i.ibb.co/xjm2CvX/hk0401100513-1a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HzNKFvB) (https://i.ibb.co/8xPg061/hk0401164251-1a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/t2Yp48V)
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Not looking good for a hatch here this year. They are past due now. Cold, wet and damp Spring may have done them in.
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Poor lily still incubating on and off, hopefully she gives up soon. The MNR said at our banding that 35% of nests in Southern Ontario have failed this year due to the cold, very wet Spring. Open nest ledges have pretty much all failed in the city this year as they have nothing to protect them.
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Lily and Ossie still the resident pair here. Lily laid her first egg this morning. Last year the nest failed due to the weather as they're out on an open ledge. Hoping for a better year for them this year.
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I hope everything will be Ok here. Im a fan of this nest since Madame X and Surge times..
Pic from yesterday, Ossie on eggs.
(http://peregrinus.pl/media/kunena/attachments/1974/ciuciekham23941620.jpg)
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2 hatches here so far - they hatched overnight :-* :-*
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Still only 2 here as well but that's okay, 2 healthy babies is better than none :)
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The two kids were banded over the weekend :-* :-*
From CPF FB:
CPF volunteers Anne Yagi and Mark Nash banded 2 healthy chicks at the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel today. Thanks to the Hotel for letting us in and the Hamilton Peregrine Project team for getting everything set up and ready for us. Our long time volunteer climber John Miller again did the extraction of the chicks and everyone were very appreciative of his bravery and expertise.
There was one female and one male their names and band information is listed below. The names were given by the Hamilton Community Peregrine Project
Male-named Griffin weighed 517 grams at 18 days old his Canadian black band is 15 over W
Female- named Whitehern weighed 720 grams at 19 days old her Canadian black number is Z47
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So there will be no hatches here this year, the nest has failed. Last week a new male showed up on the ledge a few days before the eggs were due to hatch but I think the nest failed before he came on the scene as Ossie had given up on incubating them and that's consistent with past behavior when their nest failed.
The new male is the son of Felker, who was born at this nest site in 2012 and has been nesting in Buffalo. So the grandson of Madame X and Surge has come to his grand parents site. His name is Judson and he was born in 2018.
He was quite on guard and spent a lot of time resting and showed no interest in nesting and/or mating with Lily. There were reports of a pair seen outside the territory before he came on so possible he was travelling with a female. Also another single falcon was seen nearby as well so he spent most of his time patrolling and resting. Lily has spent less and less time on the nest and is warming up to Judson and when she's not on the eggs, they take off together for long periods. She's 11 years old this year and he's coming up on 3 years old.
There has been no sighting of Ossie since then, hopefully he made it out safely.