You may think Harlequin’s hottest new couple would be appearing on the covers of their novels, but you’d be wrong, because the publisher’s most buzzed-about twosome are a pair of peregrines. A mating pair of the world’s fastest animal—they can reach speeds of more than 320 km/h when in their hunting dive—was spotted by Harlequin Publisher and CEO Donna Hayes nesting on the uppermost ledge of a building across from Harlequin’s world headquarters in the North York area of Toronto in early April.
Falcom Cam Update: July 27, 2011
While Baby Harlequin, Kendall and Quest are still frequently seen around the Harlequin building, they no longer make use of the nesting box. For sighting updates, please visit the Canadian Peregrine Foundation website.
Check back next spring when, fingers crossed, we’ll have more hatchlings on the webcam!
The peregrines’ cross-border romance of that started off with high-altitude flirting has had a happy result – a baby! After challenges with the first two eggs, the peregrines have hatched their third egg.
“We are thrilled with the hatch of baby Harlequin,” said Ms. Hayes. “Quest and Kendal have become part of the Harlequin family and we are looking forward to getting a closer look at baby Harlequin at the banding ceremony that will take place in a couple of weeks.”
The mating pair, identified by the Canadian Peregrine Foundation as Quest, a peregrine falcon born across Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York and her mate, Kendal, a peregrine born at 18 King St. East in Toronto in 2009, have successfully mated for the first time. This is the first-ever satellite tagged bird (Quest) to produce young. In fact, the first two eggs that were laid were rejected by Quest, making it even more crucial for the third and final egg to have a successful outcome.
The Harlequin Peregrine Webcam allows people around the world to get an up-close view of Quest, Kendal and their little hatchling.
Harlequin encourages anyone who wishes to learn more about peregrines, pledge support or discover what they can do to help this threatened species to visit the Canadian Peregrine Foundation at www.peregrine-foundation.ca.
Shirley — I think I saw that the CPF had announced a banding date for little Harlequin. June 21? That date is popping into my mind.
Thank you Margaret.. I am so glad that they will be able to band and keep track of our little Harlequin in the future….Hopefully they will have some way to show it.
Thank you so much for this cam. It means so much to be able to watch a little one after we didn’t have any hatches here in Rochester. I just love Harlie and Quest & Kendal are doing a great job as first time parents.
It’s serendipity that Harlequin emerged at the same time as the re-release of Mira’s SKYWARD! A happy coincidence. What a delight to observe this young peregrine. Thank you for sharing the good news.
Here in England I watched Quest hatch, grow and fledge via webcam. Cannot believe that I can now do the same with Quest’s first chick. Such a privilege and thank you for making it possible.
What a wonderful story! Thank you so much for all the opportunities presented for the world to see.
What happened? The nest is empty??
Now that the young is exploring the edge, is there anyway the camera lens can be zoomed out?
Thank you for providing this camera; it has been wonderful seeing what a devoted mother Quest is (just like her Mama)
Maybe a cover for the nest, kind of like the one in Rochester would help give some shade so they don’t have to be in the direct sun when it’s hot! Just a thought
It doesn’t look like Harlequin is much interesting in staying in the nest box anymore. Thank you for the chance to watch our loved Falcons!!
Thank you Harlequin for letting us in to view this special falcon family. The year Quest was born just happened to be my very first year of observing falcons. Quest was my favorite of the 5 that were born to Mariah and Kaver that year. I totally fell in love with Peregrine falcons from that day forward!