Literally!! While we cozy up with our sweethearts in the dead of winter, or give presents to those we fancy, animals are doing the same. This time of year, our resident peregrine falcons, Isabella and Freedom, will be re-establishing their territory and their pair bond. Peregrine falcons, like many other birds that “mate for life,” are actually serially monogamous – they will stay together until the death of one partner, and then seek another.

Keep an eye on the peregrine webcam! Isabella has been perching there regularly around noon and vocalizing. These sounds are meant to greet her mate – or scare off a potential competitor for the nest site. It’s hard to tell without seeing the other bird, but hopefully we can raise enough money to install a second camera for a wider view. Learn more about peregrine vocalizations at Outside My Window, a nature and bird blog by Kate St. John.

And how does Freedom prove his “love” for Isabella? With gifts of freshly caught bird, of course! Since he will have to do all the hunting and feed her while she incubates the eggs, then help with supplying the nutritional needs of the ravenous young, he needs to prove that he will be a good provider. Who wouldn’t want to be courted like that?!

Who Else is On the Make?

Too cold outside for a little romp, you think? Not for squirrels, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, and a number of other mammals. While it may seem a bit crazy to mate during the coldest time of the year, these animals will give birth when food becomes more plentiful in late spring and early summer.

So keep your eyes out for those nutty squirrels. Multiple males will chase a female until she selects one (or the fastest one catches up with her!). They are so focused, they often pay attention to nothing but her, which could result in collisions, being scooped up by a hawk, or other potentially deadly encounters.

Coyotes are, like the peregrines, re-establishing their territories. Even though you probably won’t see one – they are generally nocturnal – you may see prints.

What About Everyone Else?

Courtship and mating happens at different times of the year, usually in coordination with food availability. One of the latest animals to start raising a family is the goldfinch. They wait until midsummer, when the thistle and milkweed seed down that lines their nests is available. Some mammals will mate in the late fall and winter, like white-tailed deer and black bears, and not give birth until the following spring.

So, in nature, love is always in the air! Maybe we could learn something from that . . .