With the evenings starting to draw in (no, I hear you cry!) it’s hard not to start thinking about autumn. On a recent bike ride out with some fellow cyclists, I was reminded that although summer might be behind us, there is till plenty to head outdoors for.
Riding through the Norfolk countryside is always exciting. Not because I power the pedals in a Bradley Wiggins style pretending to be leading the Tour de Norfolk and punching the air when I reach the top of a hill, but because the sights and sounds are never the same. The piercing cries of buzzards circling overhead serve as a welcome reminder that wildlife at the top of the food chain is not to be forgotten, the soft buzz of a bumble bee as it brushes past my ear always gives me goose bumps and seeing the surprised gasp of a young deer, disturbed from it’s roadside hiding place reminds me that wildlife will always turn up in unsuspecting places.
But, one thing is certain on my regular rides. It’s become my regular bird call when I’m out on my bike. I see that familiar copper colouring and yell out, “kestrel” to my companions as we meander through the lanes. And what stunning creatures they are. Often an overlooked bird of prey, but what a spectacular one and so easy to spot. Hovering above an open field, head perfectly still, almost statuesque, waiting to catch a glimpse of its prey. Kestrels feed almost exclusively on small rodents, especially voles. It is for this reason, kestrels have incredible eye sight. In fact, one of their many skills is that they can hunt using ultra violet detection. This means that they can trace a vole’s urine trail through fields to make a dinner catch! Impressive.
An adult kestrel weighs on average a mere 220gm, that’s the same as a Kindle! It also means that kestrels need plenty to eat because they expend energy more quickly. They are certainly well equipped to hunt for food and when they have young in their nests, it’s a non-stop feeding game. Over the winter however, you are more likely to see kestrels perching on posts in fields. This means that they use less energy, which they will so desperately need over the cold months in order to survive.
I hope to continue riding my bike through the colder months and the lure of a crisp winter’s day with the sun high in the sky will certainly tempt me to get a few miles in, but kestrels don’t have the luxury of choice. They will continue to hunt even in the harshest conditions. So, if you do spot a hovering kestrel on your next trip out, be sure to give it a nod and share your sighting with your friends.
As featured in the EDP, Saturday 8 September