Nesting dates

[gr0tt0]

I suppose I am getting anxious with anticipation.  When does courtship usually begin?  March? April?

[Dumpsterkitty]

Every pair is different, but generally in upstate NY the tiercels return late February-early March. Eggs are usually laid late March-early April with hatching early-mid May.

A rule of thumb I've heard Larry O. use is to start watching for tiercels to come back on Valentines Day.