McKeever and Judson, the nesting falcons residing at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Hamilton, are now proud parents of three newborn chicks. Hamilton Falconwatch, a dedicated volunteer group overseeing the falcons at this location since 1995, reported that the first chick emerged on April 30 at approximately 7:30 p.m. Shortly after, two more chicks hatched overnight, and by Friday morning, mother McKeever was already providing her young ones with their initial meal. By Friday afternoon, one egg remained unhatched.
Operating under the name Hamilton Community Peregrine Project, Falconwatch employs a webcam to observe the birds of prey. Once the chicks begin to fly, volunteers take turns patrolling downtown streets to assist them if they encounter difficulties. Falconwatch’s senior monitor, Pat Baker, mentioned to CBC Hamilton in March that the initiative has successfully facilitated the fledging of over 75 chicks.
The group typically bands the chicks in late May, a process involving the attachment of identification markers to their legs for conservation purposes within the hotel premises. The chicks usually commence flying in June, marking the peak activity period for Falconwatch.
McKeever and Judson have been nesting on the 18th floor of the hotel since 2022, during which they have raised a total of 14 chicks, the most recent being 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 descendant of Madame X and Surge, who previously nested on the Sheraton for extended periods.
Peregrine falcons, recognized as the fastest animals on earth, were once endangered in Ontario due to the pesticide DDT. However, they are now classified as a species of special concern, indicating they remain at risk though not endangered.
Ontario’s recovery strategy for peregrine falcons includes promoting community monitoring by organizations like those in Hamilton and Windsor. In 2024, a representative of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation in Toronto highlighted that such groups have significantly contributed to urban peregrines surpassing their rural counterparts in productivity.
