Our Kestrels are now live on the Arne website! The female has been sitting on the eggs for 32 days so the first should hatch any time. She seems particularly restless today and sometimes you can even hear the chicks calling from the eggs. Who will be the first to see a hatched chick? It would be great to see everyones observations on this forum so we can keep updated with all the excitement! To see the webcam follow: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/webcam.aspx
Ummm, sounds ominous!?! Sorry, I didn't mean to be a drama queen, was REALLY worried when they both left the nest box and I could only see 2 chicks and 2 eggs.
Well, she is very sleepy now and it's getting dark so I don't think any more dramas tonight, so going to switch off. Really, thank you DOM, I feel quite daft now, like I said, I just want them to be OK!
There definately will be dramas ahead..... Last year one egg failed to hatch (I would be surprised if all 5 hatch this time) and out of the four chicks only two survived to fledge....... This is fairly normal I'm afraid, although lets keep fingers crossed that they will buck the overwealming trend and get all off this year
Male returned. Female popped out briefly. Didn't see any prey. Couldn't quite count the chicks and eggs either.
It's very dusty in there - I can see why they keep sneezing.
Good morning all - I'm finding all this fascinating too but really have to move about today (didn't yesterday!) so am hoping you'll keep me posted with the events as they happen! Thanks.
A proper big feed that time. A small bird I think? Still just the 2 chicks.
Managed to see Mr K - my first sighting (vocal isn't he?) - and the big breakfast! Looked like a small bird to me too - didn't take her long to catch it did it! Only 2 chicks for sure and I could only see one egg?
Morning all!
Is that another hatch?
I only just logged on and heard her crunching! Was definately eating shell!
Good morning indeed! To clear up last night happenings; it isn't unusual for both adults to leave the nest for short periods, this will become more and more the norm as the chicks get older and the female will have to start doing some of the hunting too. When they leave the nest with tiny chicks in the nest they will never go far and might even just be sitting on the stick that sticks out from the side of the box (out of view). I think we must have a third chick this morning although I havn't actually spotted him, but you're right Hazel she was definatly chomping on a new shell.
Hello there Bopeep, as the chicks get older, more and more of the food passes will be made outside the box, so even though the female returns with prey in beak, remember to give the little male credit for catching it.