Hamilton’s Peregrine Falcon chicks learning to fly has Falconwatch group on their toes

Four Peregrine Falcon chicks living in downtown Hamilton are learning to fly, a “dangerous” time for the birds who were born on the ledge of the Sheraton Hotel.

“It’s pretty intense right now – we had one chick that had to spend time at the Owl Foundation,” said Patricia Baker, a volunteer with the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club Falconwatch group.

One of the chicks – named Lawfield – was admitted to the Owl Foundation of Niagara for assessment after Falconwatch volunteers spotted him crashing into a window.

Staff at the Owl Foundation say there was mild inflammation in his right eye, but nothing major.

He was “flight assessed” Thursday and his movements appeared normal.

Lawfield will be returned to his family Friday morning, but otherwise the four chicks are doing very well.

“The Peregrine Falcons were in serious danger a few years ago, with the use of DDT,” said Baker. “There was a fairly major campaign as they moved into the cities to see if they could be helped.”

The campaign learned that the answer was a resounding “yes”.

“We have successfully fledged over 70 chicks since it started – this is the 30th watch, and it’s been 31 years that they’ve been at the Sheraton Hotel,” said Baker.

Baker said the timing right now is critical: in ten days the four chicks will be flying around to be taught how to hunt.

“Our city birds seem to be doing better than the birds in the wild,” said Leah Schwenger, another volunteer in the Falconwatch group, “and I think it’s because of watches like ours that are helping the parents look out for the chicks.”

Schwenger has been part of the Falconwatch for 14 years, but it’s quite a commitment.

“I’m here by 6 a.m., and here at least ’til 9 a.m., but the last few days I’ve been here all day,” said Schwenger. “We’re here from 6 a.m. to 9 at night – there’s somebody watching.”

She said she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else as she and the rest of the Falconwatch volunteers take great pride in helping the chicks survive.

“I think we’re so privileged to have these majestic creatures in our city – it’s a privilege that I can be down here helping these parents raise the chicks,” said Schwenger.

In September, the birds will leave the nest for good and wind up possibly hundreds of kilometres away.

WATCH MORE: Rare falcons nest again in downtown Hamilton