Stole this from Aafke. Beautiful!!

http://www.zie.nl/video/opmerkelijk/Natuurwonder-boven-Utrecht/m1gz0fwf7ru0

How DOES she do it? Donna, you always seem to find "someone at home" - I never do! One of these days, tho - one of these days!!

I go away to do something, then I come back and click NOW and there she is!  (Luck of the....) ??

Just now
Beauty

T or B not sure

Margaret, I believe Mr. T showed up just before Christmas. 

Thanks, MAK! How did you beat Donna in answering my question?   Since you 've been on the spot and seen more than many  of us, do you think Mr. T. has matured, and grown, in the past few months he's been in town?    And, has our Beauty been teaching him the "ropes"?  Just from reading the posts, that's that I'm gathering.  Do you see them as a nesting couple?   I am seeing that just from the  few pictures I've seen from the camera, and from the reports.     What do all of you watchers forecast?   I do want Archer to return, but nature is nature, and our Beauty and Mr. T. are  "compatible" ...as they say.  That said...I am still hoping for Mariah and Kaver.....

I have noticed a change in Mr. T since he first came on the scene. At first he seemed like a kid always begging for food from Beauty. Then he started hunting with her and now he seems to be showing mating tendencies. I believe he has learned from Beauty but nobody has witnessed copulation between them or scraping in the nestbox although they have been bowing at each other. I still feel Beauty just enjoys his company but is waiting for Archer to return. Just my un-professional opinion. And, I have no idea how I beat Donna to the punch! 

I could answer the first part of the question but MAK has seen him more than most with her morning observations and in the beginning he was the whiney guy looking for a handout...he's grown into a young man, (still looks for handouts) but pretty much fends for himself. It will all be over soon when Beauty decides she is ready, Archer or not!

It's a Royal Rumble panda style!     No holds barred!!!

Cage match!! So darn cute!

Bless her heart! She should retire!!!

MY GOD, I had 2 kids and my body is all out of whack...she had over 30 kids and she looks GREAT! 

She will add detail in the am!

KathyQ
She's getting that late night broody look - been there done that. This could go on for several days with her getting in the nest box sitting for long, long periods until THE event. This has been her pattern in years past. I don't think we are far away!

I received my response, let's see if all get the same...probably


Tue, March 8, 2011 1:56:37 PM

...
From:   
"Kurt.Vandenberghe@ec.europa.eu" <Kurt.Vandenberghe@ec.europa.eu>

Dear Ms. Cook,
 
Commissioner Potocnik has asked me to thank you for your message and for expressing your concerns about illegal hunting of birds.
 
We are pressing the public authorities concerned in Europe in order that they take the necessary measures to comply with relevant EU law, which would address your concerns.
 
Kind regards,

Kurt Vandenberghe
Head of the Cabinet of Janez Potocnik
European Commissioner for the Environment

as per Carol's tweet earlier!

I check every day, good catch Debbie. YAY

MR T stopped by for a brief, then left.

Some pics from Pa and S2 in the Netherlands