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 feed. Most definately a field vole (sometimes called the short tailed vole), field vole make up a huge proportion of a kestrels diet, these two are quite unique in the fact that they mostly eat reptiles (when it is sunny) However, it is interesting this year to see more field vole being brought in. Perhaps these cheeky fluffy mammals are increasing in number on the reserve?
Missed it. Hadn't thought about the cloudy weather - every self-respecting sand lizard must be tucked up warm under cover I guess!
Did the chicks guzzle the entire vole between them?
Another big fat juicy vole? But what has she done with it?
Was that 5 chicks!?!
Couldn't say. Didn't see the last remaining brown egg though. They all look a little snoozy today.
Hi Everyone,
Just home from the office and had to log on straight away. Five chicks maybe?? Ok, forget dinner, it's eyes peeled!
They don't have broadband in your office Hazel? ;-)
So all five chicks hatching in 60 hours, so there is definately a delayed incubation for the first ones because they were laid over atleast seven days. Should lots of activity in the nest now, although each time I've looked this evening she has been sitting on them all! Back in tomorrow so will keep a closer eye on the action!
You saw 5 Michael? I could only see 4 heads and the brown egg back right still I thought.
Not a good day for the local voles. I thought the smaller chick at the back wasn't going to get fed that time, but I think she made a special effort at the end.
OK, here's the thing guys ....
Eye's peeled, watching, phone call (M.D.), talking, watching, talking, watching. How would I sum up what I saw ... male comes in, food pass, female leaves, male looks at chicks, male leaves after female, female comes back in, my god, what is it? She's standing at the right of the chicks and feeding them 'something' but ... just in front of her is what looks like the tail end of a vole. So, is this the biggest vole EVER? Or two different items of food? (Just my thoughts). So ... as you saw, they really weren't gone from the nest that long (or was I too busy chatting) so how many 'food items?' The whole 'action' I think was from 8.00 p.m. until gone 8.15 p.m. Upshot; big feed. Mr K being caveman good provider. So, as for the chick count ....
With you on this one Dom, could only count 4 bills for sure. Was so hoping to count 5 but .... if they would only keep stiiilllll!!
Meanwhile, back at the fire station ....
1. He's being a good provider.
2. She's being a good mum.
3. How many chicks?
4. How long has it taken me to write this?
5. Broadband in the office Dom? My office is a cow shed!! (lol) just kidding! Of course broadband but every time (lots) I wanted to take a look ... something else happened at work!
6. There is no number 6.
7. I'm doing the Accounts from home tomorrow and Wednesday so I will be keeping a closer eye (any distraction welcome from doing the Accounts!)
My goodness, this has taken me so long (tired by now, need food) I've probably missed something in the nest box. Can't watch and type at the same time!