McKeever and Judson, the falcon pair residing at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Hamilton, welcomed three new chicks. Hamilton Falconwatch, a volunteer organization overseeing the falcon nest since 1995, reported that the first chick emerged on April 30 at approximately 7:30 p.m. The other two chicks hatched overnight, and mother McKeever fed them for the first time around 6:30 a.m. the next day. By Friday afternoon, one egg was still awaiting hatching.
The Hamilton Community Peregrine Project, also known as Falconwatch, utilizes a webcam to observe these birds of prey. Volunteers monitor the chicks as they start flying, ensuring their safety and providing assistance if needed. Falconwatch has aided in successfully fledging over 75 chicks, with plans to band the new chicks in late May for conservation purposes. Typically, the chicks begin flying in June, marking a busy period for Falconwatch.
McKeever and Judson have been nesting on the 18th floor of the hotel since 2022, raising a total of 14 chicks, including Charlton, Lawfield, Simcoe, and Winona. McKeever was born in Windsor, Ontario, on the Ambassador Bridge in 2019, while Judson fledged in Buffalo, New York, in 2018. Judson is the grandson of Madame X and Surge, previous nesters at the Sheraton for many years.
Peregrine falcons, renowned as the fastest animals globally, were once endangered in Ontario due to the pesticide DDT. They are now classified as a species of special concern, indicating potential risks but not immediate endangerment. Ontario’s recovery strategy for peregrine falcons emphasizes community monitoring efforts like those in Hamilton and Windsor. In 2024, the Canadian Peregrine Foundation highlighted the contribution of such groups to the higher success rates of urban peregrines compared to rural populations.
