Update for Wednesday, April 10, 2024
It has been at least a week since Ares last brought Astrid any food gifts, a customary pause during this stage of their breeding cycle. Nonetheless, at 4:30 AM, he arrived at the east veranda with a flicker. Astrid showed no interest in accepting it, leading to speculation that Ares may have only brought it as a ploy to take a turn on the nest. If that was his intention, the scheme failed. By 8:30 AM, he again came to the crossperch with a flicker, leaving us uncertain whether it was the same one as before. Once again, Astrid declined the offering. Had flickers been demoted in Astrid’s estimation, akin to woodcocks and cuckoos? Only she held the answer to that question.
As the day progressed, it became evident that Astrid and Ares were responding to the presence of migrating raptors traversing their territory. At one juncture, they were seen working together to chase a hawk out of downtown. When not occupied with incubating duties, Ares remained vigilant, staying close to the nest to stand guard.
