1-11-2023 We Have An Egg!

Jackie laid her first egg of this season at 15:58 this afternoon!
After sitting in the nest bowl for about 15 minutes this afternoon, Jackie stood up and started puffing her feathers out – the obvious sign that she was going into labor. She had apparently been feeling it coming on--this was her 12th visit to the nest today! After 2 days of huge storms, she seemed to be getting everything back in order. Each time she visited, she rearranged a couple sticks, sometimes brought a stick or fluff with her (4 sticks and 1 bunch of fluff), sometimes laid down in the nest bowl for a short time…and then it all happened. Making her usual tea kettle whistles as she pushed the egg out, she was in labor for about 6 minutes. And then there was a beautiful egg! She rolled it a couple times before sitting, but she sat down only 6 or 7 minutes after laying it. In past years, she usually stood for a much longer time before tucking in on the egg.
Shadow was around the area. He visited the nest with Jackie for a while this morning, helping rearrange sticks to make everything just right. He was on one of their favorite nearby perches during the egg-laying. From what he’s done in the past, he seems to know to stay close but not too close during this process.
Now, Jackie is on the nest for the night. Occasionally standing to roll the egg and reposition herself. At 18:09, little Fiona discovered that the airbnb is no longer vacant. She popped up on the edge of the nest and discovered the BIG bird at home. Fiona quickly skidaddled before Jackie had time to turn around and see her. But Jackie sensed something was there and sat up, on alert.
Jackie is now in full mama mode, caring for and protecting her new egg.
Sandy

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