Falcon watchers prepare for 2026 nesting season as Hamilton peregrine lays eggs

Hamilton Falconwatch reports McKeever has laid two eggs at the Sheraton nest and volunteers are being sought for spring monitoring.

McKeever, a peregrine falcon that nests atop Hamilton's downtown Sheraton, began laying eggs this week. The Hamilton Community Peregrine Project and Hamilton Falconwatch are monitoring the pair McKeever and Judson. Organizers say two eggs have been confirmed so far and more may be laid in the coming days. Falconwatch has tracked peregrines at the hotel site for decades using webcams and volunteers. Known details: - McKeever has laid two eggs so far in a nest she shares with partner Judson on the 18th floor of the Sheraton hotel. - Peregrines have nested at the Sheraton in Hamilton since at least 1995, and McKeever has used the site since 2022. - Hamilton Falconwatch reports it has successfully fledged more than 75 chicks since monitoring began. - Organizers say volunteers are being sought for the spring season; volunteers do not need prior training and an orientation and a trained rescue team are available. - The chicks are expected around the end of April, banding is planned for about the third week of May, and the main falcon watch is scheduled to run in early June for about four weeks. Summary: Local conservation volunteers describe the nest as entering an active period now that eggs are being laid, and monitoring plans are in place for the spring. Volunteer support, banding in May, and a focused falcon watch in June are listed as the next steps for this season.