Two peregrine falcons perched across from the Harlequin Enterprises building in Bayview have added a new addition to the family: a female baby.
The two parent falcons, Quest and Kendall, were originally spotted last April nesting adjacent to the Harlequin Enterprises headquarter near York Mills Road and Don Mills Road.
They were first spotted by Harlequin CEO Donna Hayes. “I was sitting in my office just before dusk when I saw a bird fly around the corner. I thought that’s just not any bird,” Hayes recalled. “So I got my binoculars out.”
She saw Quest perched on a ledge. Convinced the bird was a peregrine, Hayes called the Canadian Peregrine Foundation (CPF) and traced Quest’s origins to Rochester, New York — the bird was born there in 2008. Soon after, Harlequin spotted Kendall. The foundation traced his beginnings to a ledge on King Street in Toronto where he was born in 2009.
Marion Nash, director of CPF, said there are only 16 nest sites in southern Ontario. Once peregrine falcons mate, they tend to mate for life and will return annually to the same location. Nash said there are records showing peregrine falcons nesting at the same place for up to 15 years.
Hayes said Harlequin is excited to have the falcons become part of the family. Several employees have given donations to the CPF.
Hayes also said she has been inundated by messages from her authors and readers. Many are avid birdwatchers. “It’s been really fun to see the reaction.”
Regarding Quest and Kendall’s baby — born approximately one month ago — she aptly has been named Harlequin. The Ministry of Natural Resources banded the baby on June 21, meaning she can now be tracked throughout her lifetime.