McKeever and Judson, the falcon couple residing at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Hamilton, are now proud parents of three new chicks. The first chick emerged on the evening of April 30, followed by two more overnight. Mother McKeever dutifully fed her offspring their first meal early Friday morning, while one egg was still awaiting hatching.
Operated by the Hamilton Community Peregrine Project, Falconwatch utilizes a webcam to observe and safeguard these birds of prey. Volunteers are on standby in downtown Hamilton to assist the chicks as they begin flying, ensuring their safety and well-being. The project has successfully aided in the fledging of over 75 chicks, with the banding process scheduled for late May to mark them for conservation purposes.
Since 2022, McKeever and Judson have nested on the 18th floor of the hotel, raising a total of 14 chicks, including Charlton, Lawfield, Simcoe, and Winona. McKeever, born in Windsor in 2019, and Judson, hailing from Buffalo in 2018, continue the legacy of their predecessors, Madame X and Surge. Peregrine falcons, recognized as the fastest animals globally, were once endangered in Ontario due to DDT pesticide use but are now considered a species of special concern.
Ontario’s recovery strategy for peregrine falcons emphasizes community monitoring efforts like those in Hamilton and Windsor. The Canadian Peregrine Foundation highlighted the positive impact of urban monitoring groups, noting their contribution to the reproductive success of urban peregrines over their rural counterparts in 2024.