Ares and Vera continue to behave as if they are preparing for a breeding season, but Vera’s physiology may have other plans. While we hesitate to definitively say that eggs won’t be happening this year, the truth is that we simply don’t know — and for now, there is still a glimmer of hope.
In the meantime, the pair have been faithfully carrying out the rituals of the season, including ledge displays, food giftings, and matings. Vera has engaged in several practice brooding sessions inside the nest box, while Ares has taken his turn shading what we can only call invisible eggs.
Regardless of the outcome, one thing remains clear: their pair bond continues to strengthen with each passing day, even as the chances of a successful breeding season may be quietly slipping away.
