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
Another small bird ends up in the kestrel larder! There must be an empty nest somewhere.
Welcome edgebander - hope you enjoyed it.
0722 - more food! Male arrives, female takes off with it, male goes after her. Chicks alone for 30 seconds or so - I really do think there are 4 there (?!) Female returns and puts the food in the larder in the back of the box, a vole I think, and then broods chicks again.
Now, I really MUST get ready for work ....
A vole? [Reaches for spectacles...]
Feel man `flu coming on.How long does it last before it permanently leaves?!?!!!
Edit- Sorry,looks like I`ll need something more serious.What lasts a month?
Definitely 4 chicks. 1 egg remains unhatched. Dad returned with food and departed. Mum popped out to scoff the remains of small bird I think.
Just managed to catch that action before leaving for work. The male brought something else in (small - maybe lizard - didn't get a good view) but the meat on it didn't last long! Gosh, the male is on the ball this morning! Female fed chicks and then picked up the bird with a tail thingy (or vole with a bill thingy) from the back of the nest box and flew out with it, obviously for herself. Chicks alone - I'm still thinking 4. Anyone else done a head count??
Addictive isn't it edgebander? How about broken leg - can't drive. In cast for at least 6 weeks?
Hoorah! Thanks Dom! Can now leave knowing two of us are seeing 4 chicks! I do so hope they all make it!
Have just logged on, not much happening, but great news that there is probably chick number 4 under there somewhere, will keep an eye on whats happening on my day off!
Wow - that tractor made a fair racket!
she didn't seem too bothered though did she...more pressing things on her mind, like where is the boy with lunch?