McKeever and Judson, the falcon pair residing at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Hamilton, have welcomed three new chicks. Hamilton Falconwatch, a dedicated volunteer group overseeing the falcons at this nest since 1995, reported that the initial chick hatched on April 30 at approximately 7:30 p.m. Following that, two more chicks emerged overnight, and mother McKeever fed her offspring their first meal at around 6:30 a.m. on Friday. By Friday afternoon, one egg was still awaiting hatching.
The Hamilton Community Peregrine Project, also known as Falconwatch, utilizes a webcam for monitoring these birds of prey. Once the chicks start practicing flying, volunteers take shifts in downtown streets to assist them in case they encounter any difficulties. Falconwatch’s senior monitor, Pat Baker, mentioned to CBC Hamilton in March that they have effectively aided in the fledging of over 75 chicks.
Typically, banding of chicks occurs in late May, where the young birds are brought into the hotel for the attachment of identifying markers on their legs by experts for conservation purposes. The birds usually begin flying in June, marking the peak activity period for Falconwatch.
McKeever and Judson have made their nest on the hotel’s 18th floor since 2022, successfully raising 14 chicks, including the recent ones named Charlton, Lawfield, Simcoe, and Winona. McKeever originated from Windsor, Ontario, born on the Ambassador Bridge in 2019, while Judson fledged in Buffalo, New York, in 2018, being the grandson of the long-term nesters Madame X and Surge.
Peregrine falcons, recognized as the fastest animals globally, were previously endangered in Ontario due to DDT pesticide use. They are currently classified as a species of special concern, indicating potential risks but not an endangered status. Ontario’s recovery strategy for these falcons includes advocating for community monitoring by organizations like Falconwatch in Hamilton and others in Windsor, contributing to the successful breeding of urban peregrines over rural counterparts, as stated by the Canadian Peregrine Foundation in 2024.
