Now you all know I love a good falcon story. So here is one as a Christmas gift from me to all of you. Did it really happen this way? Probably not. But in the end, it happened.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
A Christmas TailSince losing her mate, Mariah had continued to guard her territory by herself and she was very tired. Winter was approaching and it was time to find a new mate. It was not her time to stop raising young eyases. This nest box on top of this tall building was her home.
She stepped into her nest box and dug around a bit in the gravel and snow. It was perfect! From here she could see all sorts of buildings, short and tall, with a river flowing through. It was a perfect spot to raise her young. The days got shorter and colder. Mariah defended her territory from passing hawks, eagles and other falcons. This was hers.
Mariah was on a ledge just above her nest box eating prey she had caught, when she heard a familiar sound. One she had not heard in a long time. EE-chup! EE-chup! EE-chup! She looked up from her meal to see a tiercel come in for a landing. He landed above her, looking down and chupping softly. He was much darker than her lost mate and smaller.
When Mariah made no move to chase him off, he became bolder and flew down to the far end of her ledge. Mariah continued to eat her meal, keeping one eye on her visitor. The tiercel did not move the whole time she was eating. When Mariah finished, she stood over the little bit of food that remained. The tiercel moved closer, walking down the ledge towards her, very slowly. When he got within reach, she lifted her talon and allowed him to take it. It was a start.
A few days later, it was Christmas Day and the tiercel was still there. He had hunted for himself, but had yet to offer anything to Mariah. It was snowing hard and the winds were howling. Mariah was inside the shelter of the nest box and the tiercel was on the ledge above her. She was hungry, but knew it would almost be impossible to catch anything in this weather.
The tiercel took off and she lost sight of him as he flew into the gusting snow. She was alone again. Time passed and the tiercel did not return. The storm was getting worse.
Then Mariah saw something approaching out of the whiteness. It was the tiercel and he was carrying something in his talons. He landed inside the nest box next to her clutching a blue jay he had successfully hunted. She stepped towards him and took the offered meal. EE-chup! EE-chup! EE-chup! The tiercel stood back and watched as Mariah ate. He had proven that he was a good hunter and that he could provide for their young eyases come springtime.
Mariah had found a new mate that Christmas Day. With him, she would raise young again. Mariah and Kaver were home.
