There are several signs that the breeding season is close upon us. Mating has already occurred over 30 times since it started on 25th May. The average duration of coupling is 7 seconds at present, but this will increase as egg-laying time approaches (mid-late August) as will frequency (up to 14 times is not unknown).
Gift giving in the form of prey has also started, but every year Xavier seems to forget that a) Diamond doesn’t like starling much and b) he’s actually supposed to hand over the prey and not scarper with it as soon as she appears (as happens here)!
Scrape preparation and pair-bonding are also both happening with increasing intensity, so everything is line for a smooth transition to the breeding season.
The weather has been pretty miserable, with cold, foggy, wet and windy weather and even a bit of snow, but that’s quite normal for Orange in winter, and the birds seem to have no problem catching prey, judging by their full crops most days.
Here is an example of the adults flying and bonding in some pretty foggy weather.