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
Food pass outside of box but female then came in with a lizard (probably male sand lizard). Looks like this is more food for the chicks as she has stored it in the front corner of the box.
Male still looking a bit confused about what is going on!
Isn't it lovely how he broods them too?
When she returned he looked quite comfy and reluctant to get off them! She practically booted him off, scolded him and told him to go find a decent meal ...!
Yes Hazel its good to see him being attentive and I'm sure he will get better with practice!
Michael, how often does she lay the eggs? Like one or two a day maybe? Just trying to guess on the next hatching!
Michael you clearly have a better picture in the visitor centre than we do on the web I think! If that was a lizard I only caught the tail.
The female briefly faced the camera and we could see the legs and tail.
Yup definatly male sand lizard being fed to them....
More sand lizard again?
Hazel, She actually layed an egg every 36 hours or so, but it appears that they dont always hatch in those intervals, think there may be delayed incubation to bring them closer together. Last year they seemed to hatch in pairs so the next two may hatch latter tomorrow but we cant be sure. Keep watching!