Kestrel

Kestrel's were once our commonest bird of prey, at one time you could not go on a journey without seeing the site of a hovering bird, but sadly in recent years the numbers are getting lower.
Kestrel numbers fluctuate from year to year and are closely linked to vole numbers.

Last year the nest's that I monitor through work or in my own time was a disaster only two successful pairs bred that I knew of, this year vole numbers must be good at least a dozen pairs have bred having three and four chicks each.

It is reckoned that only twenty per cent of young will survive two years to breeding age, the biggest threat is starvation in their first Autumn and Winter.

Female Kestrel with what looks like a Short tailed vole

Ever thought of what happens to these prey items??

Well first of all find one hungry chick

And give it a vole!!

Not quite gone yet

Nearly there

One nicely fed young Kestrel

I have been watching these young Kestrels for a few weeks now just wait and see what happens in a weeks time.