Yikes!

Saturday night raining steadily at Nicasio; absolute quiet other than the rain, no owls. Then at 3:48am it starts! I hear the great horned owls again. To me it sure sounds awfully close. A running conversation is ongoing from 3:48 until 4:09am (at that time it seemed they moved on, I only heard the one in the distance). Salt landed on his favorite spot at 4:53am and stayed until 4:58am. He seemed fairly relaxed, so I gather the gho's did move on. Salt again showed up for a minute at 5:50am. 

I recorded a long video (and that's not the whole time) of the great horned's in hopes of anyone who knows more about the communication between them could possibly enlighten us. I know if they took over the area that the barn owls most likely won't stay. Are they as close as it sounds, you think? The long video is just the sounds of the GHO's. The other video is of the two times Salt showed up. Still no sighting of Pepper! She was seen only briefly Thursday night in the box. Here's hoping to back to normal tonight ♥

 I have found what the sounds they are making means. It is a "Territorial Hooting Duet".
Since I haven't figured out how to embed a player here yet (oy), here is the link.

http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/128900/bubo-virginianus-great-horned-owl-united-states-new-york-gerrit-vyn 

Notes from the author: 
NOTES: Territorial hooting by pair. Pair was duetting nightly in this area. A neighboring pair was also singing. A sequence presumed to be copulation by the pair is heard. Different vocalizations including prolonged hooting and a chitter call by the female are heard during the presumed copulation.

Listen

Live stream on at 12:03am, no owls to be seen. At 12:45am I hear a Great Horned Owl in the distance, that owl seemed very close at 12:58am. Can also hear another answering it, thankfully farther away. The hooting went on until 2:11am but he seemed to be moving on, the sound got farther away. Finally at 2:35am Salt lands on side branch, but only stays 2min. He returns at 2:46am, this time stays 10 min. At 3:18am I hear a barn owl screech in the distance. At 5:02am we have an owl (looked like Salt) on the very tip of the front branch, only stays 3 min. This was the entire night! No Pepper sighting, no one in the box - just going to have to hope for the best tonight....

More Confusion

 On Wednesday, March 27th, we had the honor of watching Pepper on her first day in the box. That same day at 2pm, something made her bolt out of the box; since we did not have sound at the time, we have no way off knowing exactly what caused it...only speculation. Since it was the middle of the day we had to wait until after dark to see if she would return. That evening at 8:01pm, she did just that...At 8:13pm both Salt and Pepper were in the box and they mate. The entire night was full of sounds by the two of them, Salt was the one first in the box; calling to Pepper. She was busy chasing and warning the flybys that were going on. (Quite a few of them - looks like the start of other nests in the area perhaps?) I am not going to list the whole night, here are the most important facts: Salt delivered two pocket gophers of which Pepper consumed during the night. A good amount of bonding (with Pepper insisting she wanted to be groomed), and to prove just how busy they were: copulation took place 22 times!! They did this on the branches, roof and in the box. Thought for sure she would stay....nope off they go at 5:47am.

Here it is Thursday night March 28th, into Friday March 29th, Mark has the inside cam still up, of course no owls in the box. At 8:55pm both are in the box, 8:59 they are gone. Again at 9:55pm one is in the box. I was able to record the night but only had inside view and sound was not on. NO owls all night or even when we finally were able to get outside cam and sound back at around 5am. Where are they?? Just adding more confusion !!!! I will admit this is typical Salt and Pepper, they have always kept us guessing ♥♥ Stay tuned for hopefully a return of Salt and Pepper tonight at the owl box.


 

 




I have links on the side bar for information on reproduction and egg laying (really goes in depth)  Later when Pepper starts to nest I will give a shortened version. Right now we can't expect anything until she stays inside during the day...then it will take about a week or so before she starts laying eggs.



Also added to the side bar for our friends that would prefer to read the blog in their own language, you will see a drop down translation bar. ♥♥

♥ Pepper Stays In ♥

Just when you think you have it almost figured out - wham - these two owls tend to change things somehow, someway! Shall we start at the beginning of the evening: Live stream wasn't on until 10:34pm. (obviously don't know what went on before that time). Salt was on the front branch and Pepper on the owlbox roof. 10:47pm Pepper goes into the box. Salt decided to stay out on the branches until 1:51am when he decides to visit Pepper, mate and out the door at 1:53am. Salt back on side branch at 2:13, goes to front branch at 3:34am; then in the box and mate, gone again! This goes on the rest of the morning until 5am, when he finally brings a pocket gopher (first and last seen this night). Now here's the strange part: They did not mate, Pepper waited with gopher in beak; Salt takes off and Pepper right after him with gopher still in beak!! Not the first time she has done this, as you know, if you've been reading the blog. Kinda mind boggling, isn't it?  Okay, yes I do have a problem with my thoughts running off at times. Back to the events...both return at 5:24am., they mate on front branch, then go to box roof. 5:26 Mr. Salt is gone again, Pepper stays put, but at 5:54am she returns to the inside! Again she is looking around the box for food, scratches floor a bit and breaks up some pellets. Yep, here we are again waiting with Pepper for that Salty to bring some food, he returns at 6:23am on side branch and NO food. A minute later he's gone and her behind him. Now we are really nervous, going to get light before you know it...Holy Moly 6:34 and Pepper is back in the box♥ Looking around for food, sits on perch; no sign of Salt, she gets down and moves to center of box. Now, it is getting light out, she is intently listening for Salt. Will she stay or bolt....we ask ourselves...gosh she makes you just as nervous as she seems. Poor girl does not look comfortable being here. We wait until close to 7:30am to announce her staying, in hopes of video coming back on later. Well thank you Mark, inside cam back on. Pictures are taken, she is standing at the back of the box, we get to enjoy just seeing her in the box and in her pretty feather colors. We do not have sound, so it was a real shocker to see her bolt out of the box at 2:05pm. Something definitely spooked her. Wish I knew what. So, don't expect her to be back until tonight...sigh!
 



 


 



I imagine some of you would like to know what's next on Salt and Pepper's agenda. Well, I can't exactly answer that; but I will be able to share with you what 
to expect if they are on schedule. Also, I am looking into trying to answer Tara's question about 'just how much control over her own body Pepper has'. That is a tough one, but I am working on it! Not much research done on them. This blog for today is finished, I will have all the rest in tomorrows...please stay tuned.

 

just sayin....

We'll start with Sunday night into Monday 3/24-25/13: Trouble with the live stream from 10:24pm to 4:23am and then only inside cam. Still managed to get seven times copulating, one and a half rodents delivered. Pepper did not stay in box as far as we know, she left at 4:46am and cam off air at 5am.

3/25-26/13: We had live stream all night starting at 9:16pm. Salt on the side branch and Pepper inside. Pepper in the box most of night, Salt in and out of box and on branch mostly. Eight times copulation, and two gopher deliveries (1:10am, 2:38am). Pepper left at 6:10am, returned at 6:19am and gone at 6:21am.

Here's the problem as I see it! Yes, Salt is bringing food into the box. Pepper is not hunting, so depends on him. As soon as he brings the two gifts, she devours them. She waits in the morning for him to return with another, he hasn't yet. Pepper needs that extra rodent or so in the pantry for after daylight. I believe this is the added nutrition for laying eggs, AND it tells her that Salt is ready to feed the family! So until she can store extra in that pantry, most likely she will not stay.

One more item for thought: I don't believe the rodent supply is down (buy much anyway) I think our Salt is just being lazy (seen that in the past), here's why: from the time Salt left the branch to the first delivery equals 18 min. he was gone, the second delivery was only 11 min. The night before was only 8 min! just sayin......
 

Even A Pellet!

Good Afternoon owlers!! I am here to give the Saturday night into Sunday morning report. Both owls were here at 7:58pm PDT. Pepper headed straight to the box, Salt behind her and they mate. At 8pm Pepper is doing a lot of begging (I believe she wants dinner). Salt tries to appease her with a whole lot of bonding. In between, she is fixing up the house. This bonding, etc. goes on until 8:33pm when Salt finally leaves. But she also follows him.
 Pepper spent most of the night in the box, copulation occurred eight times, one and one-half pocket gophers delivered; and still did not stay in the box for the day. The following video will show the 2 deliveries (watch carefully at 12:03am for pellet), and last but not least why Pepper didn't stay. 'some major lag at the end'

Observation

My last post was Tuesday, March 19! Okay, besides getting tax stuff together (oh yea that time again), and some other personal things to get out of the way; the truth is nothing much different to post. In short: Tues/Wed: 6 times copulation, no gifts; Wed/Thur. - copulation 10 times - Salt brought one tiny gift. Thurs/Fri: NO video this night. 

Questions were asked: 
 1. Mark can we get a view on inside of the doorway?
Answer:  Mark Tong: There are 3 inside cams. HD day cam, HD IR night cam... and a lower res wide angle cam. Wide angle cam allows to see perch and opening. This cam is currently NOT viewable. Need to get new USB video converter. Haven't had the chance to go shopping lately. Will do so soon. Hang tight.

Problem fixed and we have a great closeup view inside the box...Thank You Mark!


2. Hungry Owl Project (HOP) had asked for a report of any owls starting to nest in the bay area. 
Results:   Maggie Rufo: Ok, so I have some local owl box reports, from not too far from Nicasio - we have a box where there are three eggs so far and I just got a photo from a box camera showing one egg. S&P are lagging!

Now on to Friday/Saturday night....

Cam on around 7pm; and Mark has the view of doorway up! Pepper has spent most of the night inside the box. An increase in times of copulation to twelve! Salt again has brought only one gift (a nice size pocket gopher). Neither has stayed in the box today. 

I am posting two videos of some interest. The first is one of Salt bringing the only gift of the night. Notice how he announces he is bringing food. He brings in the food offers to Pepper, and of course a mating session and Salt leaves. Pepper takes gopher to perch and consumes it while telling Salt to bring more.

The next video, please watch Pepper's reactions! She sticks head in doorway, looks around for food and back to side branch...even here she is looking and checking all around for food She begs a bit, then goes inside box, sits on perch and proceeds to beg Salt for prey. She even uses a different sound for this.

I think this is an excellent proof towards: "No Gift - No Stay" in the box! Hope you find this as interesting as I did. ♥   

 

I am Confused!

I am really confused about the goings on of these two owls. I am posting one video of a probable normal situation; but the second one I am a bit miffed about. Perhaps someone else can tell us why Pepper did this:


Just to remind you - Salt delivered a pocket gopher Monday morning at 6:23am. He was a bit late, Pepper had already left. He left the half gopher in the pantry. This video is probably somewhat to be expected? The gopher from Monday Salt moves around the box with it, goes to the doorway, comes back and puts it on the floor. At 10:01pm he leaves with the gopher. It was old already so can understand that...

The video below is the one that I can't understand! Again Sunday night at 11:29pm, Salt brought the first gift (a gopher) into the box, when Pepper came she took the gopher out of the box. Now last night Salt brings the only gift of the night (gopher), she is in the box. Salt passes it to her, she accepts, and he mates with her. As you will see in the video after a few minutes Pepper goes to the doorway with the rodent and leaves. (Check out the way Salt is watching her...priceless). Salt follows her out, but only goes to the side branch.

Why is Pepper doing this?? Will someone be able to fill us in, or do we have to wait for the continuing saga......

Oh my I forgot to mention, nobody in the box today either...

Reminder

Salt has started to bring gifts into the box. This is when it is important to keep track of times of food deliveries, mating, etc. Please if you see any of this or even think it should be noted, mark the time and take a minute to post it in "The Report" (Tab at top of page). Thank you for your help and for watching Salt and Pepper ♥♥
 

Gift Delivered

Saturday Night was a bit of a disappointment, it was the usual in and out of the box, mating, bonding, lots of vocals. The only thing missing was that rodent gift. Pepper did not stay Sunday.

Here we are it's Sunday night I'm figuring this is going to be another same ole night. I stayed up until 1am my time and then recorded. Woke at 4:30am, Salt was on the side branch - I am half anxious to check the video and yet not...finally went ahead and checked. Oh wait does Salt have a rodent? Sure enough, he's on the side branch holding a pocket gopher. Salt takes it into the box, and then waits for Pepper. She finally comes into the box, but turns around and watches out the doorway on the perch. Salt tries a little preening of her wing feathers, etc. but Pepper not interested. He picks up the gopher and gives it to her on the perch. Pepper takes it out of the box and Salt right behind her. Hmmm I guess you could call that 'takeout'. 

Early morning Pepper is on the branch, waiting for Salt. She leaves at 6:11am. At 6:23am Salt arrives with another gopher, Pepper's not here! Salt takes it into the box, neatly puts it in the pantry, and sits on perch waiting for Pepper. Soon it will be light, Salt leaves the gift behind and is gone at 6:27am - Pepper didn't come back this time...I guess he was a bit to late on delivery....

Sunday Night - 3/17-18/13:
  8:13pm  - Salt and Pepper are here
*8:16pm  - mate on front branch and Salt leaves
*8:33pm  - Salt in box calling, Pep finally comes in and they mate
*9:54pm  - Mating session
*10:19pm - Pepper in the box, Salt follows and they mate
**11:29pm - Salt brings first in the box gift (a pocket gopher). Pepper comes later, but takes the gift with her when she leaves.
* 2:47am - Pepper in box, Salt comes in and they mate
** 6:23am - Gift 2 delivered by Salt, another gopher, Pepper not here. He places gopher in pantry and after a fit of waiting he leaves.at 6:27am.

Wildlife Flyers - Please Share

From Claws, Inc.:  These flyers are meant to help the public understand more about wildlife. How and when to help and when humans really aren't needed. Please share them and help rehabilitators and wildlife everywhere

http://www.facebook.com/ClawsNC

Myths and Legends Part 2

The Magical ~ Mystical Owl 

Submitted by: Barb Good

Athena with Little Owl

In Ancient Greek Mythology, the owl was the preferred bird of Athena, daughter of Zeus, Goddess of Wisdom and War. Her preferred species was the Little Owl, which often accompanied her perched on her shoulder. The owl had the ability to light up Athena's blind side revealing to her unseen truths and thus expanding her natural wisdom. Due to its association with the Goddess, the owl gained protected status in Athens and inhabited the Acropolis in great numbers. As the symbol of Athena the owl became thought of as a protector, its symbolism being adopted by Greek armies on their way to war as inspiration for their daily lives. If before a battle an owl flew over the army, it was taken as a good omen that victory was immanent. The owl was also given prominence in society and commerce, being depicted on the reverse side of their silver drachma coin.



 

Greek mythology tells the story of Demeter, the Goddess of Corn, Grain and the Harvest. The story goes that her daughter, Persephone, was abducted against her will by Hades, the God of the Underworld, to be his wife. In her anger at the loss of her daughter, Demeter laid a curse on the World causing all the plants and crops to wither and die. The World soon became a desolate place resulting in wide-spread famine. Seeing this, Zeus became alarmed and sought Persephone's return. He agreed with Hades that Persephone could be returned to her mother provided she ate nothing while in the Underworld. Not wanting to lose his new bride, Hades deviously offered Persephone a pomegranate as a departing gift.

On her way home Persephone became curious by the seeds inside the pomegranate and tasted one, but she was seen to do so by Ascalpus who reported it back to Hades. By tasting the seed, Persephone became eternally bound to Hades, for he decreed that she should spend four months of each year as his wife in the Underworld. During these months Demeter grieves her daughters absence and withdraws her gifts from the World, thus creating Winter. On her daughter's return in the Spring, Demeter is overjoyed and once again makes the earth bloom and bear fruit.

This could have been a fitting end to the story but for the fact that all things, including Gods and Goddesses have light and dark, positive and negative aspects. Demeter in revenge for the time her daughter must spend in the Underworld, sought out Ascalpus, 'the tell tale', and turned him into an Owl for his trouble but not just any old owl; a sluggish Screech Owl, the most loathsome of the owl species.

Blodeuwedd and Goronw

 

Celtic Mythology renders the story of Blodeuwedd, who was a beautiful goddess created out of flowers by Gwydion to wed his son Lleu. Lleu, on seeing her,immediately fell in love. However Blodeuwedd had no heart for Lleu and instead fell in love with Goronw Pebyr. Not wanting to marry Lleu, she and Goronw conspired to kill him. But Lleu had been made invincible by the gods and to protect him from death, could only be killed in a very special way. Early one evening Blodeuwedd seduced Lleu into revealing his secret, and being in love he told her that, "he could only be killed if it were twilight, if he was wrapped in a fish net, had one foot on a cauldron and the other on a goat, and if the weapon used had been forged during sacred hours when such work was forbidden".

Hearing this, Goronw snuck away and forged such a weapon, returning just before twilight. Blodeuwedd then asked Lleu to demonstrate how improbable such a position was to achieve by chance, and when he did, Goronw leapt out from the shadows and struck him down. As the myth would have it, Llew didn't die but was transformed into an eagle and eventually restored to human form, after which he in turn killed Goronw. Blodeuwedd, because of her treachery, was transformed into an owl by Gwydion, and forever haunts the night in loneliness and sorrow shunned by all other birds.

Some of the World's Owl Myths

Abyssinia
The Hamites held the Owl sacred.

Afghanistan
The Owl gave Man flint and iron to make fire, and in exchange, Man gave the Owl his feathers.

Africa, Central
The Owl is the familiar of wizards to the Bantu.

Africa, East
The Swahili believe the Owl brings illness to children.

Africa, South
Zulus recognize the Owl as the Sorcerers' Bird.

Africa, West
Messenger of Wizards and Witches, the Owl's cry presages evil.

Algeria
Place the right eye of an Eagle Owl in the hand of a sleeping woman and she will tell all.

Arabia
The Owl is a bird of ill omen; the embodiment of evil spirits that carries off children at night. According to an ancient Arabic treatise, from each female Owl supposedly came two eggs, one held the power to cause hair to fall out; the other, the power to restore it.

Arctic Circle
A little girl having been turned into a bird with a long beak by magick, but was so frightened she flapped about madly and flew into a wall, flattening her face and beak, thus creating the owl.

Australia
Aborigines believe bats represent the souls of men and Owls the souls of women. Owls are therefore sacred, because your sister is an Owl - and the Owl is your sister.

Aztecs
One of their evil gods wore a Screech Owl on his head.

Babylon
Owl amulets protected women during childbirth.

Belgium
Legend has it that a priest offered the Owl his church tower to live in if the bird would get rid of the rats and mice that plagued his church.

Bordeaux
Throw salt in the fire to avoid the Owl's curse.

Borneo
The Supreme Being turned his wife into an Owl as a punishment for telling secrets to mortals.

Brittany
An Owl seen on the way to the harvest is the sign of a good yield.

Burma
During a quarrel among the birds, the Owl was jumped upon and so his face was flattened.

Cameroon
Too evil to name, the Owl is known only as "the bird that makes you afraid".

Celtic
The Owl was a sign of the Underworld.

China
The Owl is associated with lightning because it brightens the night, and with the drum because it breaks the silence. Placing Owl effigies in each corner of the home protects it against lightning. The Owl is a symbol of Too much Yang... positive, masculine, bright, active energy.


More coming soon hope you enjoyed~~~~Barb

for part 1 myth and legends see blog archives February

No Gift, No Stay!

Another nail biting morning! All night they were in and out of the owl box. Arguing over the perch, when in the box. Finally we have some major 'bonding' - Salt preened Peppers face and head for a long time, and later a little mutual bonding. Eight mating sessions. 

The last session in the box was at 5:31am, and they both left at 5:42am. Pepper made a last appearance on side branch looked around and left at 6:41am. 

Why isn't Pepper staying during the day?  The answer to that is: Salt has not yet brought a rodent gift into the box! Until he does she will NOT stay. When he does and Pepper stays she will start to lay eggs in about one week. Our friend Trinka (HOP) has verified this. So Mr. Salt get it together and bring your lady a gift ♥

Who's to blame?

I almost wasn't going to post today. Didn't want to have to say 'here we go again', then decided that some of you might just be waiting to find out if Pepper stayed.

Going to be pretty short today...Pepper is finally in a 'broody' mood! At 11:34pm she goes into the box, sits on perch in doorway waiting for Salt. He arrives on the side branch at 12:03am, Pep calling  and making cute little chirping sounds. Salt goes to the roof of owl box and she is moving around cleaning house. 1:09am Salt moves to front branch, Pepper making purring sounds, he goes in and they mate and have a little owl talk. At 1:17 Salt out of box. Salt comes back at 2:43am sitting on side branch until 5:39am when again he goes into box and another mating session. Pepper leaves at 5:43am and Salt follows. Pepper comes back at 6:31am and goes into the box, but leaves at 6:44am.

The short of it: Pepper was in the house for over 6 hours. Salt visited three times to mate! Pepper returned to box alone at almost daylight, looked around on the floor and left. If I could interpret her thoughts it would be something like this: I stayed all night in here, Salt did his thing but brought me no rodent gifts. I obviously had to go and get my own and sure needed a potty break. Then to top it all off when I came back to the box, he didn't even show up for our "goodnight mating session"!! Huh, those males, no respect, I'm outta here..

Waiting patiently

What's That Sound?

School Lights Are On

Good golly this is getting to be repetitious! You all are probably getting bored with these posts already! I promise you, if you come and watch it is by far more exciting; and if you watch the early morning just before sunrise it is downright nail biting time!

The evening started out with Pepper going into the box at 8:47pm, she sat on the inside perch watching for Salt with intermittent preening. Finally Salt arrives at 10:43pm, Pepper goes to the backside of box, bowing down, calling and begging. Salt comes into box, they mate and suddenly ~ what's that sound? ~ both owls stop and listen, one of them jumps up on perch looking out. The other is getting very nervous, they do not like what they are hearing, at 10:45 the both hurriedly fly off. What did they hear? Coyotes: It is mating season for them (January to late March) and for whatever reason it seemed to upset S&P. I have attached a video of this, watch Salt and Pepper's reaction and listen carefully to the background sounds.

After that we have three more mating sessions, with two in house. Plenty of time in the box. At 5:53am the custodian arrived, lights on, noise, but Pepper still on the branch. Then it seems he was pushing something a bit squeaky and at 6:01 Pepper took off. She returned at 6:08, left at 6:12: Salt arrived at 6:16 and gone at 6:18....Sure seemed to us they wanted to stay...maybe tomorrow ♥

Hit and Miss

Another night has come and gone - still waiting for Pepper to get into a 'broody' mood! My notes start at 1:44am PT., that is when I found out that my flash player crashed again..grr. If the live stream isn't on when I start recording the crash happens. I still haven't been able to fix it. Any ideas, would be greatly appreciated. Anyway I digress, back to Salt and Pepper!

Strange night, yet not with these two! We would see Pepper on her favorite spot on side branch, preening. Salt would fly in, once goes on the box roof, Pepper starts her begging sounds. Then they would fly off. Seems that they are chasing something away a lot again tonight. Later Pep comes back, Salt a bit later and they mate. He moves to the side branch, Pepper still 'talking'. They both are gone again. What happens in the early morning hours I put on two videos. The description is next to them. It was just to good to pass up. So please take a few minutes, read and watch.

Nice surprise from Mark, he put the link to this blog on the screen! Thank You♥

Shake It Off

4:14am Pepper on side branch, Salt flies in - attempts to mate, oops, almost knocks her off the branch. He apologizes with a few owl words and a little 'bonding' which we haven't seen hardly any of. He then moves up the branch and shakes it off. 

 

  Please Come In

6:05am Salt on side branch tongue clicking away as Pepper flies in. Salt immediately goes inside the box, starts 'chortling' (check the time he is constantly begging for her to come in). 6:13am (think he's getting a little ticked) he screeches at her a few times. Darn, she still ignores him. 6:15 a few more screeches from him, but Pep takes off and Salt leaves the box! As usual we wait!!

  




 

Almost stayed

 What we see now

 This Day Last Year ♥




 Every day we've been saying "today's the day". Well, it hasn't happened yet...sigh. Okay I've got to say it: today is I think the closest Pepper's come to staying in the box. A few observations: The mating has increased from two or three times a night to a total of SIX times last night. They are spending most of the night in or around the box (although they have been the last couple nights). Staying later in the morning than usual. They left at 6:20am, but one of them returned at 6:32 and left for the day at 6:34am.
 The weather is warming up a bit (check photo below). I can't say anything as too the rodent population (really haven't had the time to count) but with what I have mentioned and the time change..all seem to point to new beginnings ♥

March Weather for Nicasio, Ca.

Deja Vu?

 Did you ever have one of those nights that seems like the night before? That's the way it was last night. It seems that Salt and Pepper haven't decided on whether they should start that clutch or wait awhile. I think this time I am going to give you a complete time entry on the night.

9:21pm: Pepper is on side branch and gone at 9:22
10:28pm: Salt on front branch, goes into box at 10:31pm
11:42pm: Pep on front branch, joins Salt in box, but just sits on perch. Salt does some begging and tongue clacking but is ignored.
12:42am: He is begging, finally Pepper gets off perch and they mate.
12:43am: Salt now on perch and Pepper is begging.
12:46am: Hissing and arguing, it seems Pep wants out of box, or the perch
12:53am: Salt is out and on front branch, Pep inside still begging (probably wants him to bring that gift)
12:58am: He moves to side br. and is gone at 1:14am. Pep still inside.
1:38am: SALT is back! goes in box, mates after a quick preen and okay from Pepper. but NO gift!!
2:08am: Pep pushes him off the perch and she sits on it. She does some wing stretches.
4:21am: She gets off perch and they mate; then Salt goes on perch
Pep wants out, she can't get by finally she pushes past him
4:51am: both gone
6:00am: Pepper is back on front branch but leaves at 6:25am.

These are the kind of notes I keep every night........hoping for a change in venue tonight :)