Falcon chicks hatch at Sheraton Hamilton nest just in time for Mother’s Day

New Sheraton Hotel Hamilton falcon resident McKeever can celebrate Mother's Day this year with the rest of us after some perfectly timed hatchings.

Three peregrine chicks emerged from their eggs on the 18th-floor nest Friday night and early Saturday morning, and a fourth egg was spotted cracking Saturday afternoon, just one day before the annual celebration of moms.

McKeever and falcon dad Judson are the first peregrine parents at the downtown nest, since former residents Lily and Ossie welcomed two chicks in 2020.

The hatchings were captured on the Hamilton Community Peregrine Project falcon cams by enthusiastic watchers who've spent recent days glued to the screen.

Falcon watch volunteers expected the chicks this week after McKeever laid her first eggs in late March; at least four eggs have been spotted in the nest.

As early as May 3, volunteers noticed an increased amount of fussing" by McKeever and Judson, expecting that the eggs were ready to hatch.

This spring peregrine falcons were voted Hamilton's top bird as part of a successful effort to achieve a Bird Friendly City" designation from Nature Canada.

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