The snow spigot never quite shut off today and it definitely had a cooling effect on the falcon’s activities. Temperatures stayed in the low thirties, but the winds really picked up by afternoon. Ares made his morning depute on the State Building at around 4:50 AM. He didn’t show up at the nest box until 6:25. He came and left a few more times in the subsequent half-hour. Astrid made her first appearance at the nest at 7:15. An hour later, the pair shared a ledge display at the box. They did some intense beaking, but not much fancy footwork. Astrid left when only five minutes into it. The pair mated on the State Building at 9 o’clock.
At 10:26, Astrid dove from her perch on the State Building. She was probably going after prey, but didn’t secure anything. Five minutes later the falcons were seen sailing on the wind just east of the State Building. A third bird that appeared to be with them was most likely only a passing crow. Afterwards, Astrid and Ares were both perched on high ledges on the north face of the State Building. At just before noon, Ares was back at the box. He was alternating between calling and making scrapes in the usual place on the floor of the box. At one point he calmed down and appeared to nod off, but soon was chirping again and preening. Deb said that he was “sleep chirping”. Through much of the afternoon, Ares was out of view for long periods, while Astrid mostly remained perched on the State Building. We presumed he was trying to hunt, but we never did see him with prey, nor was any food transfer confirmed between him and his mate. At 3:30, Ares was back in canyon again and there was a failed mating attempt. At just before 4:30, both falcons showed up at the nest box, but Astrid didn’t stay. Forty five minutes later there may have been a mating attempt on the State Building. We couldn’t be sure since the camera lens was obscured by an ill-placed chunk of ice. Speaking of which, many of our camera views were obscured today due to ice buildups on the lens covers.
Shortly after, Ares did some fancy flying in front of the East and North sides of the State Building. This may or may not have been a flight display, although he did appear to buzz by Astrid at one point. Ares was next seen at the nest box at 6 PM. Astrid came to the box too, but not until ten minutes after he left. When she departed she simply spread out her wings and allowed the wind to yank her airborne. Although they can do without the snow, these birds truly thrive on high winds. For them it’s a free ticket to fly. We never did see the falcons with prey today and we assume that’s due to the weather and the lack of active prey. Hopefully, tomorrow will be an easier day for them and for all of us for that matter!
