Other Peregrine Projects > Australian Peregrines
NSW - Charles Sturt University - 2018 / Xavier & Diamond
burdi:
On the 10th of August Xavier arrived before Diamond had a chance to leave, so they took the opportunity for a nice bonding session. And at 7:20 am Diamond was happy to receive the right prey, and Xavier appeared pleased. Then they enjoyed another bonding at 11:04 am and another acceptable gift an hour later! It was a busy morning.
Later, at 1:29 pm, Diamond stopped by the nest box and Xavier danced a complete circle around his lovely mate - though he left rather quickly.
And at 5:39 pm Xavier brought in a starling, but Diamond refused to come near it! He waited only a couple minutes then flew away with the starling.
burdi:
Thursday morning, August 9, Diamond left the nest box at 6:05 am. Xavier quickly arrived though appeared to have accidentally landed on the tiny lower ledge we can't see. He might have banged his foot a bit but didn't lose his balance and immediately jumped up to the ledge.
Diamond returned at 6:13 am and the pair enjoyed a short dance. At 11:49 am they had another short dance, and at 2:07 pm they arrived at the nest box together and appeared to enjoy an extra sweet session.
Also, Xavier seems to be improving in his choice of prey for Diamond. He brought a gift which she readily accepted at 8:50 am, then at 3:50 pm he succeeded again! I hope he continues to please her. :)
burdi:
Diamond has been very particular about the prey she accepts and usually leaves immediately when it’s not to her liking. She also tends to stay away until it’s removed!
On August 8 Diamond refused a prey offering at 8:21 am and she left quickly. Xavier waited with the hope that Diamond would change her mind, but after waiting 25 minutes he left. Then he returned with the same prey at 9:02 am. Surprisingly, at 9:10 am, Diamond actually did return - even though the prey she didn’t want was there! Well, poor Xavier appeared quite perplexed when she still had no desire for his offering and he left rather quickly, taking the prey with him ... perhaps he was feeling hurt after trying so hard to please her. :( Diamond stayed a few hours; however, I assume Xavier gave up on trying a third time.
Later, at 1:09 pm, Xavier was relaxing on the ledge when Diamond came by for a bit of loving which lasted about a minute. Xavier then appeared to be waiting for her to return, and at 2:01 pm, she did! And this time the couple enjoyed an extra sweet meeting which lasted nearly two minutes! Xavier only partially circled around Diamond before both stood still in a bowing position - speaking ever so softly to each other.
And just before sunset Xavier arrived with another irresistible gift! Diamond tripped on the ledge while rushing out but seemed fine upon her return at 5:56 pm, and she quickly settled down for a good night's sleep.
burdi:
I’m posting some observations I wasn’t able to get to earlier - so I’ll be sure to include their dates - sorry they’re late.
On the afternoon of August 7 at 4:34 pm - Orange time - I was happy to see Xavier arrive with an acceptable gift for Diamond. She wasted absolutely no time grabbing the prey and off she went! I suppose the very fact she accepted it was interpreted by Xavier as a huge thank you. :)
burdi:
A courtship moment
Published 10 August, 2018 | By Cilla Kinross
Prey is coming in regularly now as Xavier proves his worth and Diamond either takes it (yum, pigeon) or rejects it (yuk, starling). As I still have no recording softward, prey identification is a bit hit and miss at the moment. If you have screenshots, I’d love to see them.
As Sue and others have discovered, mating has been frequent and noisy (but not visible, at least I haven’t seen it). Here we have a more sedate bowing session. Cheers Cilla
Video by Cilla: 20180810 D and X circling and bowing (avi format)
Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/a-courtship-moment/
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version