After a misadventure in downtown Hamilton, Sheraton falcon chick heads to rehab

Hamilton falcon watchers were in a flap last week after a misadventure sent one of the chicks to rehab.

Fledgling peregrines, Griffin and Whitehern, both took flight for the first time - Griffin on June 9 and Whitehern on June 12 - under the watchful eye of their parents Lily and Ossie.

But hours after his sister took off, Griffin found himself in some trouble on King Street West and had to be rescued by Hamilton Community Peregrine Project co-ordinators and volunteers.

Falcon watch monitor Patricia Baker said it's standard, if a bird is potentially injured, to take them to a rehabilitation centre, in this case The Owl Foundation in Niagara Region.

Before his stint in rehab, the peregrine project reported Griffin flying strongly" and playing hide-n-seek" with falcon watch volunteers June 10.

With Whitehern still on the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel ledge nest, Griffin was being adventurous, finding shelter on neighbouring buildings. The adult falcons brought him food and tried to tempt him back to the nest.

On June 12, Whitehern took her leap with falcon watch cameras recording at 8:16 a.m. Since then, she has taken successful flights - and had a possible unwanted encounter with some bald eagles, the peregrine project website said.

Later that day, Griffin was seen falling from the Standard Life Building on to King Street West. The young peregrine took flight again, flopping around weirdly," and unfortunately flew into the Thomson Building.

Luckily, the young raptor didn't break any bones, Baker said, but was bruised from the fall.

At the rehab centre, Griffin's perching and flying is being monitored. Baker said an update is expected Wednesday.

Baker is thankful to Sheraton manager, Colin Watson, and staff at Jackson Square and at the Ellen Fairclough Building, for allowing falcon watchers entry and giving them tips on bird sightings during Griffin's misadventure.

Back in Hamilton, Whitehern, Lily and Ossie, live very much in the moment," the falcon watch website says. Unlike human family members, they won't be missing" Griffin.

When the young peregrine returns, he'll be fed and life will move on as if nothing happened.

Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com