On the 5th storey ledge of a nondescript office tower, smack in the centre of North York, a pair of rare peregrine falcons have fallen in love.

Quest — a pretty American from Rochester, N.Y., and Kendal, a local boy born across from Toronto's King Edward hotel — have been making scrapes, the peregrine equivalent of a nest for over a week now.

It's an exciting time for avid falcon watchers — of which there are many — who expect adorable babies any day.

And here's the kicker. The first person to spot the regal birds, with their black-helmeted heads and sharply hooked beaks, was the CEO and publisher of the largest producer of romance books on the planet. The falcons have been courting one another directly across from the world headquarters of Harlequin Enterprises on Duncan Mill Rd.

“They’ve been putting on quite a display of aerial acrobatics, spins and dives — high-altitude flirting,” said CEO Donna Hayes, who admits the falcons have been a distraction of late. They've become the most popular couple in the office, even beating out steamy, loin-quivering characters in Harlequin novels like How to Lasso a Cowboy and, the chiseled-abs jacketed The Pleasure Garden.

It's fun to think the falcons picked their spot knowingly. That this is the kind of quirky love story you just can't make up.

In fact, Quest and Kendal crossed paths last fall. The pair spent some time around Pickering's nuclear plant, likely flirted a little.

But, as so many can attest, it just wasn't the right time for a relationship. Winter was coming, and they had to move on. It was, after all, migrating season.

Perhaps the falcons thought about each other from time to time. Maybe they longed for mating season to arrive.

On Sunday afternoon, Kendal tore apart a small bird, dropping off a fresh dinner to his mate. A true alpha male, he spends most of his time watching her from another building and chasing off any bird that dares to come near.

Telescopes have been set up in two offices for staff at Harlequin to watch. As far as appearances go, the pair seem to have a healthy sex life, copulating about three times each day. It lasts all of about 15 seconds.

After spotting the birds early last week, Hayes, an avid bird watcher since childhood, put in a call to the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, a small patchwork group of people fiercely passionate about caring for birds of prey. Trustee Bruce Massey, a burly city street cleaner by day, was “dispatched to the field” immediately.

What he found came as both a relief and a joy to falcon lovers on both sides of the border. Internet chat forums were already buzzing about Quest, fitted at birth with a tracking device. She hadn't moved from her location in several days, and many were worried she was hurt or even dead.

But, as Massey reported to the anxious forum, Quest was very much alive. And very much in love.

It took a few days, but with a steady hand and a good pair of binoculars, Massey was able to make out the serial numbers wrapped around Kendal's leg. (He was never fitted with a transmitter.) It was the same falcon spotted in Pickering, near Quest, this fall.

“He's fooling around with an older woman,” joked Massey of the age discrepancy. Quest is 3 and Kendel, 2.

“In the spirit of Brangelina, How about Questken, gushed one bird enthusiast on the forum. “Or Quesdal,” said another.

The string of posts goes on for five pages.

“It's been chaos ever since (finding out),” said Tracy Simpson, educational coordinator with the foundation. “It's been a crazy whirlwind love affair.”

Added an overjoyed Mark Nash, president of the foundation: “It’s significant that this is happening . . . we’ve got the whole world watching."

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After World War II, peregrine falcons used to be very close to extinction, largely because of the use of DDT and other chemicals. But thanks to human intervention, the birds have been making a comeback, especially in urban centres.

The foundation is trying to put out a nest tray, filled with round soft stones, on the bird’s ledge. If babies are born, volunteers will hold a “fledge watch,” manning the streets to make sure uncoordinated babies can find their way back to the nest if they hit a window or lose too much altitude when learning to fly.

Hayes says she’ll name the first one Harlequin.

For her, it’s really a double love story. Her husband, Brad Martin, CEO of Random House Canada, works right across from where Kendal was born. “So it’s kind of a publishing love story as well.”

Last week, author Margaret Atwood — who often bird watched from her place on Pelee Island — found herself taken with the cavorting falcons.

At first glance, the birds may not be quite as exciting as one of Harlequin’s novels — say, a South Dakota Rancher and a Hollywood stuntman. But, then again, their story is beginning to garner quite a cult following of its own.

Peregrine Falcon facts

• The fastest animal on the planet, it can reach up to 320 km/hour on a dive.

• Most recent provincial study counted 74 pairs of peregrines in Ontario. The birds now live in 25 North American cities.

• Among North America’s “long-distance migratory species,” the raptors can move up to 25,000 km annually.

• Post WWII peregrine populations declined severely because of the use of DDT and other chemicals. Thanks to restoration projects they’re making a comeback.

• The top of their food chain, they eat mainly pigeons, sparrows, starlings and other urban birds.