It’s an action-packed morning: three fish gifts, two nest meals, pond sips & bath, and mating—all strong signs F23 could be close to laying.
Quick recap
- Fish #1: Early delivery by M15; F23 eats on the nest (uncommon in the off-season).
- Fish #2: Just 13 minutes later, M15 brings another; F23 mantles and finishes on the nest.
- Pond break: F23 goes for sips/foot soaks.
- Fish #3: M15 drops a catfish head on the nest (not armored), sees F23 at the pond, and flies over.
- Mating at the pond, then F23 takes a full bath, dries wings at DSPS, returns, grabs fish #3, and flies to Office Oak to eat.
Watch Live <—- nest & approach cams
Why this matters (behavior notes)
- Nest eating by F23 in the off-season can signal she’s gravid and minimizing time away.
- Multiple fish deliveries in short succession = high provisioning by M15—typical pre-lay support.
- Mating frequency, soft grasses/moss, and increased time in the nest tree all point toward egg-laying soon.
- Historical context: F23 laid her first egg on Nov 8, 2024; viewers are watching for similar timing this year.
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What to watch next
- Bowl shaping & nest sitting: Longer, still periods over the bowl, tail raises, or “egg-wiggles.”
- Evening visits: Last-light perching together often precedes overnight stays.
- Provisioning pace: Continued back-to-back fish runs by M15.
- Pond cycles: Sips/bath, then quick returns to the nest bowl.
Viewer tips
- Audio clue: If you hear steady wind + sudden wingbeats, eyes up—deliveries often follow.
- Behavior markers: Mantle → quick bites → tail gulp = fish secured and nearly finished.
- Field ID bonus: Note the Loggerhead Shrike cameo at 18:07 (right rail).
