Swoopfest 2013

[MAK]

I am providing the link for 1 of my videos that shows a closer look at the swooping that's going on at the nest box while I wait for the rest to upload and write my watch report. It is my opinion that Dot.Ca is NOT playing,courting or display flying. As you can see in the photo I have also provided, his talons are down when he swoops just inches above Beautys' head. I do hope that just like last year he gets the message that she is not giving up her nest box for him and Pigott and he settles down to begin the business of making babies.

http://youtu.be/zUVyWSoIpd4

[Penelope99]

Oh MAK, what photo!!!! He looks like a monster of fantasy novel!!!

[margaret]

I agree with your opinion, MAK.  That picture is not of a friendly bird.  Those talons are down which is why Beauty goes undercover of the nest box.  He is holding her hostage under there, and I do think he would attack her if he forces her out in open.   Poor Beauty. 

[Donna]

Yikes! Not sure what to make of this!

[Bird Crazy]

Yikes! Not sure what to make of this!

I do...he is a jerk. Hope he miscalculates and almost hits something. Not to injure himself but to make him think twice about his behavior. 

[Shaky]

Yikes! Not sure what to make of this!

I do...he is a jerk. Hope he miscalculates and almost hits something. Not to injure himself but to make him think twice about his behavior. 

Whatever he does, it is based on animal instinct. He is not capable of being a jerk.

[jeanne]

I wonder if it is atypical for a male to go after a female like this???

[Bird Crazy]

Yikes! Not sure what to make of this!

I do...he is a jerk. Hope he miscalculates and almost hits something. Not to injure himself but to make him think twice about his behavior. 

Whatever he does, it is based on animal instinct. He is not capable of being a jerk.

uh huh tell that to Beauty,

[valhalla]

Just sticking my in, but I think we need to hunker down, watch, and wait until another Strong Pair emerges to rule the Rochester skies; i.e. another M&K. 

[Bobbie Ireland]

Beauty must be soooo tired! I was interested in someone's impressions that DC was doing all this to try to get her out of the NB... makes sense. I hope she has the strength to hold her ground. Is there any sign of UT at the moment? I may have missed the post re him. He and Beauty seemed ok with each other... Do you think DC drove him away?

[Shaky]

Beauty must be soooo tired! I was interested in someone's impressions that DC was doing all this to try to get her out of the NB... makes sense. I hope she has the strength to hold her ground. Is there any sign of UT at the moment? I may have missed the post re him. He and Beauty seemed ok with each other... Do you think DC drove him away?

She looks pretty relaxed.

[Bobbie Ireland]

Beauty must be soooo tired! I was interested in someone's impressions that DC was doing all this to try to get her out of the NB... makes sense. I hope she has the strength to hold her ground. Is there any sign of UT at the moment? I may have missed the post re him. He and Beauty seemed ok with each other... Do you think DC drove him away?

She looks pretty relaxed.

I am the nervous type.

[patsy6]

Well said, MAK.  Animal behavior really is fascinating.  I am learning so much by observing these gorgeous birds.  It's almost as if all three of them (Beauty, Pigott and Dot.ca) have a long term memory of the Rochester and Brighton nesting sites, but not each other.  They go through courtship rituals every year.  Their brains are each a small mass of hormones and instinct, with very little room, if any, for cognitive thought processes.  I agree, it appears that, like last year, his instinct is telling him to get that nestbox at all costs.  Fortunately for the moment, at least, it doesn't seem as if Pigott is interested in moving.  Let's hope she doesn't change her mind, and let's hope also that Dot.ca can handle two nests this year, like his father Jack does.

Beauty is a tough, strong woman.  She'll prevail.   And, like last year, she and Dot.ca will become friends and good parents, once the hormones stop raging.