Baby falcon chicks appear in nest at Hamilton Sheraton
Nest now occupied by Lily, a falcon banded in Michigan
Two baby falcon beaks have appeared so far this weekend on the ledge at the Hamilton Sheraton, and the Falconwatch community watching via webcam is overjoyed.
The babies are two of what could be three or four new birds to hit the ridge at the downtown hotel.
Madame X, a falcon who once ruled the Sheraton roost, appears to have been displaced by Lily, another falcon who was first identified at a Michigan power plant.
The Falconwatchers have the scoop:
In 2014, Madame X laid several eggs, in two separate clutches, but none of the eggs were viable, so for the first time in over 15 years, there were no chicks fledged from the Hamilton nest. The most recent fledgings from the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel were two girls in 2013, Laura and Brock (named for heroes of the War of 1812).
The proud parents this year are Lily and Ossie, a falcon who originally came from Etobicoke. Friday, bird watchers spotted one baby beak:
And Saturday evening, they spotted two.
Responding on Twitter and Facebook, here are a few of the names that CBC Hamilton have suggested so far for our newest winged neighbours:
- Sheri
- Lancaster
- Milennium
- Perry
- Steel
What do you think?