Kestrels. Life in the box

Weather seems to have improved and Dad having a better hunting day today :)

Seen the chicks being fed at least four times since 9 a.m.  All four jostling for position and I think all four getting some tucker.

I think Mum took the last 'delivery' for herself.

After a wet cold day yesterday with not much food coming in it has been much better news for the chicks this morning. There have been a couple of rodents brought in and atleast 4 lizard. One male sand lizard had a close shave as the male brought in a green tail that must have been shed as the lizard made a lucky escape. All four chicks are still looking healthy and I am still amazed how the female still manages to sit on them all!  

Another feed - not sure what - female had her back to us, being a bit camera shy.

There is a very bright green  male sand lizard stored in the corner of the box and  the male has just caught two voles in about two minutes. Each catch is disapearing in minutes - 4 very hungry mouths to feed!

Another feed just as we were leaving, a vole I think, the food has been coming thick and fast today. Has made up for the poor day yesterday. Female did spend a lot of the daY trying to sit on the chicks. She is also continuing to sit on the remaining egg and has been turining it. Even though it won't hatch her instinct towards it is still fairly strong.

Took these photos near the double-decker hide on the edge of Arne Bay this afternoon:

Very possibly one of our Kestrelcam stars out hunting. Looks like a common lizard in tow.

WOW what stunning photos Dom!  Me thinks you've done this photography thing before!?! lol  Thank you sooooo much for posting them and sharing them with us :)  Gosh, I wonder if it is one of our family?  Just brilliant.

Chicks home alone at the min and I'm not sure but think it might be a (very unwell) lizard at the front of the box?  

Looks like the little ones are getting stronger by the day and I noticed yesterday they have started to try to preen themselves.  

Great photos Dom, Looks like the female out and about -  wonder if it is ours?

Rob suggested there are only 2 pairs of kestrels on the peninsula (?) and the kestrelcam pair would seem to be the closest in a straight line to this location, so could well be mum. I was hoping someone would have reported some feeding activity on the forum around that time to correlate it with, but seems not.