It seems as if a couple of interlopers has invaded the osprey territory. For the past week or so, there has been a lot of dramatic aerial shows above the Little Bayou House. The "home" pair have already been together for three years. Now, two young males have moved in to try and woo the female. The older male that has been here for a number of years is in the battle of his life! Being more adept because of age, he would be able to dismiss a single interloper but having two to deal with at the same time is something else again. The dominant male never gets a rest. When he and his ladylove awake in the morning, they immediately head to the water to fish. She sits in the dead pine calling to him while he tries to find the finest fish available to bring to her. This is part of their courtship each year. While he is out over the water, the other two younger males are doing display flights in front of the female. So far, she has not been amused and has even gone so far as to help her mate evict the two.
A couple of days ago, I was erecting yet another fence for grapevines when I heard the screaming overhead. Looking up, there were five ospreys just above the pine tops. The resident couple, a younger female and the two interlopers. One of the young males was relentless in trying to woo the resident female. This did not set well and both older birds attacked. Needless to say, the interloper was sent on his way to find another home. This left one problem for the osprey pair to attend. After a brief rest, the pair flew at the other interloper but he took refuge just down the shoreline and refused to leave. His attention had now turned to the new female.
This morning, the aerial attacks were in full force again. The piercing screams continued throughout the day and I noticed that the "deported" male was back again. The older pair seemed to be sure that they were not going to be split as they were adding to their nest but the "new couple" was still a bit iffy. The battles were between the two young males over the young female. Hopefully, the birds will work out their problems and get this nesting stuff underway. It appears that we may have yet another nesting pair in the area and a couple of broods of little ospreys in a few months!
Earlier today as I was out using the grinder on some wrought iron pieces, I heard that "squeaky wheel" call again...a lot of squeaky wheel calling for that matter. Turning off the grinder, I saw that three Bald Eagles were directly overhead. That was a tad unusual...three? Then I understood. This was a battle for territory. A battle for mating and nesting rights was being fought. The screeching continued as one poor bird was being pummeled. Again and again, the eagle was being attacked by one of the other birds. The third eagle simply circled the two and screamed. The female probably thought the males were acting a tad ridiculous with all of their squabbling but the males were relentless. This battle was not going to end well. One of the male eagles would have to leave the area.
After a bit, two eagles flew off to a spot where I knew an aerie was being built. I assumed the original pair were still together. They have been nesting just east of the house for the past ten years or so. I was just about to restart my grinder when a sad scream came from the west. Oh, my goodness! The other eagle was still here. I made my way around to the lane and spied the eagle on a low limb. He was distraught and browbeaten but seemed to not be hurt. My heart went out to the bird and I tried to console him. I knew he could not understand the words but perhaps he understood the love and respect I have for him regardless of the fact that he had lost the battle.
Life will go on for all of the eagles involved in today's tussle. Since eagles usually mate for life, the pair nesting just east of the house will hang around for years to come. The unlucky male that lost his battle today will find a mate and a new territory. Most likely, it will not be far from here since he was born and raised in the area and there is a good food source here. The rise in the numbers of eagles is a good indicator that things are going well and the Bayou is healthy.
It is not often that you see a leader of high rank out cutting a rug on the dance floor. Usually, they are more reserved and have a certain air about them that does not fit with the idea of commanders putting on a show including tap dancing and singing. Usually....except maybe on the Bayou.
Mark and I made our way to the pier early this morning and were just in time to see the most hilarious tap dance of all time. Step, tap, step, tap, toe up, toe down,shuffle, shuffle, click, click, click. The General put on quite a show for us as we slowly walked onto his stage (better known as the pier). As if the dance routine was not entertaining enough, the General insisted on singing during the performance! His song started on a sharp blunt note and ended with a long trill.
The General is a red-winged blackbird that has been supreme commander over the Bayou for the past seven or eight years. Each spring, the General comes back to the same territory with his bevy of lovely lady blackbirds. They build nests in the groundsel bushes that overhang the marsh edge and raise their families of little ones. The General keeps close watch on his family and tries to discourage any intruders. He flashes his red and yellow epaulettes, spreads his wings and fluffs his feathers to make himself look larger and does a most remarkable territorial dance. This dance was what we witnessed this morning as he tried his best to chase us back up the hillside.
Once the bird gets accustomed to our daily visits, he will settle down and merely watch us from the nearby reeds. During the first few days of nesting season, he puts on quite the display, not only to chase us away, but to also attract his ladyloves. It was good to see the General back in his rightful place. Welcome back, General....and family.
