Hello - This is a rather rushed first post but after a long time with nothing happening on the kestrel nest we came in this morning to find our surprise that the first egg has been layed! Very exciting! So I have switched the web cam over for the time being!
We are still keeping an eye on the buzzard nest so if they do decide to use it we will switch over to them!
But for the time being happy viewing of the kestrels
Michael
Ps - As this has happened quickly the web cam caption will still be for the feeder for a few days until I get the web team to change it over!
Here is the clip of the above.
Thanks so much for all the video clips Mims, you are clever :-) particularly love the chicks trying to feed themselves - brilliant!
All home alone in the corner again at the mo - sorry no visuals from me :-(
Am surprised no-one else has blogged yet - in the last half hour there has been a very tiny vole running around in the nest box - it keeps getting picked up by one or other of the chicks and then flung about as none of them are quite sure what to do with it!!!!! Poor little thing. I keep flicking to Loch Garten or the New Forest hoping that when if go back to Arne it's disappeared or been eaten or is lying static!!! :o(
Hi LG - when I logged on late last night the largest chick was so busy mantling over some delicacy that it didn't notice the youngest one creep in under it's wing & snaffle it's supper!! Was so amusing & the nicest thing was that it didn't fight to take it back, just watched as the little one struggled to swallow it - whatever it was!!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Hi everyone, the chicks are jumpy today. Perhaps a parent is near the window, or noises from outside - they jump at the sound. Remains of dinner lies at the front. Little clip to follow.
Here is the clip...
Just caught the MrAK dropping off what looks like a yellow bird....chick? Ah, always feel sorry for the prey. A chick has just fired a laser and another one has dragged the meal to the back. One at the front is flapping a bit, not hungry then lol. Oh It's coming to the front now....I think it can see a parent nearby and we can hear the calls....little clip to follow, area not adjusted as no time - would have missed the male. This was at 13.33 appx
A couple of the chicks tackle the meal and a little clip of the chick now at the front tucking in to follow.
The remains of the prey at the front, which has stayed there all morning, looks also like a chick from here, a very young one. They have been nest raiding by the looks of it.