Rhea Mae and her offspring

As told before Rhea Mae, eyas of Mariah and Kaver of Rochester 2006 has fledged her first offsping.
Together with her mate, the resident tiercel Tiago of the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto she raised her first eyases.





It is unique to be able to watch offspring become a parent herself. Rhea Mae flew into Toronto last year in August and took over the nestsite and the Sheraton. When members of the Canadian Peregrine indentified her by her bandnumber we where all excited.











Daughter of Mariah and Kaver of Rochester had made it. She survived the first difficult year and had found herself a territory and partner. Tiago started courtship, but Rhea Mae played hard to get. This spring she did went into courtship and laid 4 eggs. By 1May 12 all eggs hatched. But sadly one eyas died 3 days later.
The other 3 where fed by both Rhea Mae and Tiago and grew into healthy chicklets.
By May 24 the first eyase started to explore the surroundings and left the nest.





Jun 3 was bandingday. The 3 eyases wher ereal celebs. The Honorable Donna Cansfield, Minister Of Natural Resources, was the Guest of Honour! It turned out that there where 2 girls and 1 guy











Unity Male 24 days of age and sporting a blue and red "taped" band

Belle Female 24 days of age, wearing a red and yellow "taped" band

Lilly Female 24 days of age, wearing a white and blue "taped" band

As always, Rhea Mae and Tiago were very much on patrol and did a great job of defending their nest ledge. Stooping and swooping that kept everybody on his toes until returning the young ones to the adults. On last check, all is well. The young falcons settled down near the nest tray and were fast asleep.








The adults were spotted at various posts on nearby buildings, ready to come to the assistance of the young, should the "predators" return.





Belle appears to be a bit of a "Prima Donna" preening constantly and always preferrs to sit on the lip of the nest tray.
Unity enjoys stamping his feet and Lily, she sits back, flips her head upside down and watches the others doing silly things.
It's amazing to observe them exploring the large nest ledge. Every feather, fluff and bits of previous meals are picked up with their beaks, examined and then dropped only to be picked up by one of the other two chicks and re examined. Rhea Mae is always seen in the area.











Belle was the first to fledge on June 15. Lilly followed the next day. Little Lilly crash landed on top of a bus on June 18. She was rescued by members of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. Fortunately she did not have any injuries, and was put back that same evening on the ledge. Unity was still unfledged. He waited until June 20, but it did not turned out the way it should. Completely exhausted she stranded on a bench and was rescued. Later on she was examined but there where no signs of trauma. After a long rest in a dark cool room she was brought back to the ledge in the evening.





Belle is a very skilled flyer and with her encouragementt the other 2 tried again and with succes. The 3 fledglinngs are doing great. They return to the ledge every once in a while.The 3 youngsters are putting on quite some airshows over Toronto. Chasing and screaming up a storm. It is very good to know they are doing so well!!













All photo's are sourtesy of Linda Woods.

http://peregrine-foundation.ca/tops/torontos.html