Radisson - 2009 / Trey & Princess

[Liz]

Nasty storm -- high winds, rain coming down sideways. 

[Falconman]

The sky looks really wicked. Something's blowing in from the west. Hang on fledglets.

[Loriann]

is it windy there?  the camera is shaking like crazy and both birds in and gone just like that. pretty sure one was trey but didn't get a good look at the second one before it left too. 

be safe everyone, feathered or otherwise.

whoa did just get really dark there?   seems so from here. again. be safe everyone.

[willmax11]

Radar showing a fast moving cell just heading into wpg. from the west.

Should be gone after a few minutes.

[Loriann]

birdie on the ledge/.  trey maybe?
correction !  two birdies on the ledge right now

[Liz]

We hadn't found Vesper by the time MsD and I left, about 6:30.  But I stopped two of the boys in red shirts (downton security), asked them if they knew about the birds (was really surprised they didn't!) and asked them to keep an eye out for birdies on the ground.  Saoirse was heading off north towards Ellice when we left, to see if she could find Vesper perched on a building over there. 

[allikat]

As far as I know, that nestbox (west side) has been updated (I think) from pictures when Tracy and Dennis were up on the roof in March or April?  I think the box is deeper at the back.  So if Vesper really wanted to get out of site, I think she can.  TPC would have to correct me or anyone who has physically seen the nestbox, ie:  Dennis and cable/camera tech gods. 
It, the box, is pretty deceiving from where we are looking at it in terms of size.
However, I could be wrong, I've been wrong many many times before   

'Fraid this is one of those times Allikat but you are close ... the box is the same depth front to back but the back is covered and has three walls for protection.  The depth of the box is greater than the 2007 box (we replaced the box in the winter of 2008) so it would be very easy for Vesper to tuck down in the box and for no one to see her from the ground - or heck the Rogers or Hydro buildings to the west.  She would be out of sight until she popped her head up.

Thanks Tracy...I just couldn't remember if the box was deeper at the back (toward the roof) or not...I thought I wuld be wrong 

[allikat]

Thanks for the update....I'm just about out the door to make my way downtown.  Could be an interesting night, or maybe not!

[The Peregrine Chick]

As far as I know, that nestbox (west side) has been updated (I think) from pictures when Tracy and Dennis were up on the roof in March or April?  I think the box is deeper at the back.  So if Vesper really wanted to get out of site, I think she can.  TPC would have to correct me or anyone who has physically seen the nestbox, ie:  Dennis and cable/camera tech gods. 
It, the box, is pretty deceiving from where we are looking at it in terms of size.
However, I could be wrong, I've been wrong many many times before   

'Fraid this is one of those times Allikat but you are close ... the box is the same depth front to back but the back is covered and has three walls for protection.  The depth of the box is greater than the 2007 box (we replaced the box in the winter of 2008) so it would be very easy for Vesper to tuck down in the box and for no one to see her from the ground - or heck the Rogers or Hydro buildings to the west.  She would be out of sight until she popped her head up.

[Ellie]

Thanks for your great synopsis!  Not easy keeping track of birds.....they are so quick! Dip here, swoop there.  Would have been neat to see "Spiderman".  I know one chick was on the ledge for a couple of hours this aft. around 2:00 til around 4. (approx) Vesper would have been difficult as it is so high up at that site.  You've seen them all fly today(except Vesper) so we know they are all in the area!  Thanks!

[The Peregrine Chick]

Just had a call from Saoirse, MsD & Liz - a bird bolted out of the nestbox which could have been Vesper or could have been an adult leaving after dropping off food.  It happened very quickly and its hard to tell adult from young at that distance and with the winds the way they are.  So, our Ground Forces have headed off north along the bird's flight path to see what if anything they can see.  The bird was flying at the height of the nestbox, so easily above all the buildings to the north (yes, it zipped by the Kensington Bulding).

Now, its windy, the weather is unstable, none of the chicks will like/want to fly in this much as landing for them is not a sure thing in lighter winds, let alone this stuff.  The adults, will have no problems however.  So if our Ground Forces manage to catch sight of something they will have done a great job, if they can't they still will have done a great job because anyone would have a hard time give the location and current conditions.  By the time they circle back the birds may once again have converged on the Hotel and we may be able to tell if it was an adult or fledgling then.  If we have to wait until tomorrow when I believe the wind is supposed to die down to more reasonable speeds, that's not unusual, not being able to find a chick for a day or two, is not uncommon.  And not a problem.

Will be interesting to hear what they do/don't find ... will keep everyone posted ...

[sami]

Nothing like getting kicked out before you can finish what you're trying to say. After all, it doesn't indicate how many lines you can type into one entry anywheres does it?
I wanted to thank MsD for keeping me company for a while and helping me stare at the "white spot" and bccs and Pam for visiting. Thanks guys! Helps to break up the parade of two-legged wild life down there!

[allikat]

Hmmm...the plot thickens!

Well...seems that Vesper wants to be in the spotlight doesn't she?  As far as I know, that nestbox (west side) has been updated (I think) from pictures when Tracy and Dennis were up on the roof in March or April?  I think the box is deeper at the back.  So if Vesper really wanted to get out of site, I think she can.  TPC would have to correct me or anyone who has physically seen the nestbox, ie:  Dennis and cable/camera tech gods. 
It, the box, is pretty deceiving from where we are looking at it in terms of size.
However, I could be wrong, I've been wrong many many times before 

[sami]

Did she or didn't she? Bccs saw Sis at 11 - I got there about 11;15, delayed by the deluge but at least dry - and couldn't see any sign of her in, on, or near the nest box. Of course, if she were flattened in the back, she wouldn't have been visible anyhow. But - the wind wasn't all that bad then, and she may just have sneaked out the minute bccs turned her back. I searched rooftops up and down the streets all around and couldn't see any sign of her or the boys. Finally saw Princess and Trey on the east Radisson sign.
Later -one more roundabout search, I see two peregrines head into the nest box on the east side and one left. Up on thegreen swoosh under the east Radisson sign I see another chick, who seems to have food up there, and goes for a little stroll along the swoosh. at some point the chick gets up on the n at the end of the sign and there is an adult, I think Princess on the end of the swoosh. Meanwhile, what I think is the third chick flies in and lands on the wall, looking for all the world like a giant moth with outstretched wings glued to the side of the building. Going up doesn't work, finally flies off. I try to see where that one went but no luck. Still have two on the sign and one chick in the nestbox. The question then becomes who is on the letter n? I'm sure I could see gold on the head at times, to Pam it looked like a dark head, maybe Trey, but the bird wouldn't stand up so we could get a better look. Did somebody change places while I was watching the other? Or did I really see all three chicks? I don't know!!! And it doesn't help that my distance vision is poor. Very little flying today, either. So - sorry, I really don't know who was where!

[gramma]

Sorry for all the off topic gabble this morning Tracy.