417pm- 438pm Smitty flies to stump and off the nest, Belle still on the nest, I have to leave soon. Belle is defending her nest I think. leaving now, be back to check on Belle, she is still lying in nest bowl, repositioning on and off, never seen Belle lie there so long with no egg, think she is protecting her nest from the intruder female she probably saw on the nest yesterday

saw about 459pm, Belle was still there lying in nest bowl when I left, not sure what time she left. they arrived at 355pm and Belle was still there past 5pm, I came back about 534pm and Belle was gone

Dec 28 2016

Morning Doreen and NCTC Friends

Doreen thanks for your reports and awesome pictures ... i was watching too and thought the same as you ... Belle is
acting differently ... likely marking her territory and sending a message to the young adult and adult female
that have been in her territory ... this is my nest so stay clear!!!

Dec 28 2016

The resident pair have been visiting the nest regularly and restorations to the nest are being done!
I think there is still intruder(s) in the area as the birds were tracking something in flight on their most
recent visit today.

1239 to 1254 pm

Mom lands first then Dad joins her.
Smitty bumps into Mom on landing he does that alot!



Both are tracking something in fight and i thought
i heard a young adult calling from nearby .. it was just
a brief call.

Tracking their territory; something was in flight they were watching it.

Belle exits first


Dad follows her out

507 pm
The resident pair visited before dark again ... we can set our clocks to them ...



Belle exits the nest first and Smitty lingers for a few more minutes ... he exits at 520 pm.