Jane wrote:
Spent about three hours downtown today. Saw no falcons at first, but then one landed on the corner of 333 Market. It turned out to be Niecey. I spent most of my time on the roof of the Chestnut Street Garage. Niecey finally took off from 333, and was being closely followed by another falcon. They circled above the train station a bit. Niecey landed on the far right corner of the Carson Building roof, and this male was right beneath her on top of the glass cubbie above the nest ledge. They were bowing to each other and probably chattering, but I couldn't hear anything from where I was. I saw him sit on the shield and go into the scrape. They also circled above my head several times, and eventually returned to the Carson Building at the same spots. I saw only two falcons the entire time. This new male sat on the point for a LONG time, and Niecey flew off toward Reservoir Park. She did not return while I was down there, but the male flew to the corner of 333 Market where he was when I left around 1:25. Due to the sporadic appearances from Little Dad, I kind of suspect this other male has been around for a while, and has finally gotten bold enough to come to the ledge. Am hoping and praying Little Dad will be able to reclaim his ledge, and dread the thought of a territorial fight between him and this much younger male. :-(
Thanks for your report, Jane...I know this doesn't help, but I feel your pain. Spark has been missing from the Columbus nest since October. I am still praying that he will return. Ironically, the new male is the grandson of Scout and Orville (my all time favorite Columbus pair), so that helps a little, but not much...
Still praying that Lil Dad is just waiting for the right moment to make his move...