Utica Falcon Update, March 3, 2025 – Ares Tries to Bring Nova Up to Speed

Today was a stark contrast to yesterday. On March 2, we caught only a brief glimpse of Nova, but today, she was a very frequent presence. She joined Ares at the nestbox three times for ledge displays, and a successful food gifting happened on the west veranda. One mating attempt was observed, and it was likely there were other attempts that we did not see.  

Ares was particularly restless today, as he often is this time of year. His determination to get Nova into the nest box was unmistakable—much like the way he once tried to persuade Astrid. He was heard calling persistently, letting out long, screeching cries from the box multiple times. At one point, he flew to the steeple and called from there, marking the first time we’ve seen him perched on that structure in quite a while.  
During their ledge displays, Ares took the lead. He attempted to initiate bill-swiping—an intimate gesture Astrid used to reciprocate. He bowed before Nova and repeatedly swiped his bill upward, trying to connect with hers. Their third display of the day was the longest yet, featuring more intricate choreography than we’ve seen from them before.  
With the egg-laying window now less than a month away, Ares seems keenly aware of the timeline. His urgency suggests he’s trying to bring Nova up to speed.