Mariah and Kaver had to fight off at least one determined female ! I arrived downtown around 9:00 a.m. I figured I'd spend a nice quietcouple of hours enjoying my morning cup of coffee. It was bittercold, temps in the 20's (F) with bright sunshine and a beautiful bluesky. From 9 til 11 a.m. it was very quiet. I watched M&K mate acouple of times. It was almost time to leave to enjoy my EasterSunday. After M&K mated a 2nd time, Kaver flew off and collected a stash off of the tower. He back and forth in front of Mariah with his offering. She took off from the tower and pursued Kaver, finally grabbing the prey and flying with it over to the High Falls Stack. Kaver landed near the nest box and all was quiet. For a moment only.
Kak Kak Kak Kak!!!!!Mariah sounded the alarm! Kaver flew off of the tower, headingsouth. I watched him with my binoculars, until he met up with a birdpast the communication tower. This bird was larger than Kaver and itwas a Peregrine Falcon! They both turned and started heading north towards the Kodak Tower! No matter how Kaver tried to push "The Intruder" away, she kept coming towards the tower. They were high above me. That's when I spotted a 3rd Falcon, higher than the two battling above me! Iquickly looked back at the tower and Mariah was up on the southeastcorner of the launchpad, still sounding the alarm. I lost track of the 4th Falcon, but Kaver and the female (who has a large gap in hertail feathers) were coming closer and closer to the tower.
SinceKaver was having such a hard time controlling the Intruder, he and Mariah changed places. Kaver landed on the tower and Mariah took off chasing the female towards downtown. Mariah is definitely aforce to be reckoned with! A few moments later, Mariah returned, landing on the southeast corner of the playpen (base). Kaver took off and they mated almost immediately.
I quickly got on the phone. Since it was Easter Sunday, I wasn't sure who to call. I didn't want to bother anyone, but I needed tolet the other Watchers know what was going on.
All was peaceful at the tower. I hoped it would remain that way, but it wasn't to be. Alarm Kaking came from the tower. I quickly looked around, not spotting anything. Both Mariah and Kaver took off heading south.The Intruder was again heading in towards the tower. This time both M&K were able to turn her around. I was very happy to see Lisa into the visitor's parking lot. She had witnessed the attack while driving towards the tower. M&K returned to the tower and mated. Interesting that they bond like this after an attack. Again all was quiet. Just some alarm calls from Mariah that ended up being passing hawks. No energy was expended on them, thank goodness.
Again alarm Kaking from the tower. Again, M&K took off from the tower, speeding towards downtown! They were really far out before I was able to see their target. Both M&K attacked in tandem, but the female was bound and determined to get to the tower. This time she would be successful! I watched in horror as M&K followed behind the Intruder as she sped towards the tower. They passed over me, screaming. The Intruder landed on the east side playpen railing, I could just make her out. Kaver landed near the nest box and Mariah went inside the nest box. All was quiet for a moment.Mariah came out of the nest box and flew around the tower. She was searching for the Intruder. It didn't take her long to spot her. For a very long time (it seemed forever) both Mariah and Kaver took turns stooping on the playpen, where the Intruder had hunkered down. It was worse than any banding day I've witnessed. They where relentless!Finally Kaver settled on Camera #1 while Mariah continued the attack. They had to be exhausted! We watched Mariah land on the south east corner of the playpen railing(base). At first it looked like she was resting. As we watched, Mariah spread her wings, like one of our fledglings mantling food.
We couldn't see what had Mariah's attention, but as we watched (againin horror!) Mariah went through the bars and into the playpen.
We could hear horrible sounds of fighting inside the playpen. It seemed to last forever. Kaver watched from above on Camera #. FINALLY,Mariah chased the Intruder out of the playpen and both she and Kaver chased her around the tower heading north this time. We all spreadout in different directions, but none of us were able to see wherethey went. Thankfully it wasn't long before first Mariah and then Kaver returned to the nest box area. We watched nervously for awhile, but all remained quiet. Both M&K have to be exhausted! Let's hope that the Intruding female has finally been pushed away from the towerand she'll find a new nesting area for herself. I never did see that4th Falcon again.
This is the link to a video
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=171aim5l.cm9x4i5h&x=0&y=-7oba21
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