Home / Environment / Hamilton Hotel Falcon Family Grows by Three!
Hamilton Hotel Falcon Family Grows by Three!
2 May
Summary
- Three new peregrine falcon chicks have hatched at the Sheraton Hotel in Hamilton.
- The Hamilton Community Peregrine Project monitors the birds via webcam and ground patrols.
- The falcons are a species of special concern, recovering from past endangerment.
Nesting falcons McKeever and Judson, residing at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Hamilton, have welcomed three new chicks. The first hatching occurred on April 30, followed by two more overnight. Their first meal was provided by mother McKeever early on May 1. As of May 2, one egg was still awaiting hatching.
The Hamilton Community Peregrine Project, formerly known as the Hamilton Community Peregrine Project, uses a webcam to monitor the falcons. Volunteers also patrol the streets to aid chicks as they begin to fly. The group has successfully helped over 75 chicks fledge.
Banding of the chicks is typically done in late May, with fledging and active monitoring occurring in June. McKeever and Judson have nested on the 18th floor since 2022, having raised 14 chicks previously.
Peregrine falcons, the world's fastest animal, are now a species of special concern in Ontario, having recovered from endangerment due to pesticides like DDT. Community monitoring groups are vital to their continued recovery and success in urban environments.
