Re: Duke Farms, NJ -- 2020/21

BillA · Post by **BillA** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:20 pm

More excitement at the nest this morning.
An intruder, and what looks like the intruder from the other day, shows up with apparent designs on the nest. The resident couple has other ideas!!!

The first 3 minutes is Dad(?) watching the intruder approach. The action gets serious at the 3:11 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hGGxcA03ng
This screen capture or video is courtesy of "Duke Farms"

BillA · Post by **BillA** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:22 pm

And later...
The intruder returns, drives off Dad, messes with the egg and claims the nest. She stands her ground at 12:25 mark when (Dad?) does a fly-by. She sits on the 12 o'clock branch for awhile and then seemingly loses interest and leaves. Dad later comes back and restores order around the egg.
Outcome is still to be determined.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyC2Vl6EvvE
This screen capture or video is courtesy of "Duke Farms"

BillA · Post by **BillA** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:26 pm

Since then, Dad was the first to return to the nest, uncover the egg and sit on it for awhile until the resident hen showed up and took over the responsibilities. Since then, she laid egg #2.

This screen capture or video is courtesy of "Duke Farms"

Post by **MaryF** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:27 pm

..
WOW! What a day!! Thanks for all of that information Bill ! I'm glad the first egg was ok

..

BillA · Post by **BillA** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:30 am

G'morning all

A nice quiet morning compared to yesterday.

BillA · Post by **BillA** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:37 pm

There are now 3 eggs. Where's the cigars?

This screen capture or video is courtesy of "Duke Farms"

BillA · Post by **BillA** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 4:14 pm

We don't actually see the egg in this, but we see the egg later. There are 3.
This is the hen going through the process from just before her feathers ruffle until she gets up and changes position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C4ttF38H-0
This screen capture or video is courtesy of "Duke Farms"

Post by **JudyB** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 1:29 pm

Thanks for the updates, Bill - it's been a while since there were three eggs here (and I think this is a new female since the last time). Keeping fingers crossed that the intruder moves on now.

She was new last season and raised 2 eaglets to fledge Judy

BillA · Post by **BillA** » Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:37 am

There's about a foot of snow on the nest and the hen has been sitting on them diligently. However, Dad wants a turn on the eggs. So, he pecks on the hen, through the snow, until she relents. But then she decides that she's had enough of this "time off" shtuff, reclaims her seat and settles back in.