Although onset of laying of a pair of Hobbies in the western Netherlands was estimated at 17 June 2013 (two of the three chicks fledged on 15 August) a copulation of three seconds duration was recorded on 11 July. Prior to the copulation, the female was heard calling, a soft ‘wiewiewie’ not unlike the begging call. The male, already present for about an hour, immediately approached the female who was waiting in a crouching position, landed on her back and copulated for about three seconds (uncertain whether cloacal contact was made). During the copulation, the female continued her soft begging call but the male remained silent. This was the only copulation witnessed during 53 hours of observation between 1 May and 13 September, surprisingly occurring three weeks after egg laying.