We have all waited patiently with fingers crossed to see if our pair of buzzards would settle down and raise a family on our webcam nest but after a lot of early activity they seem to gone to somewhere else. So not to worry here at Arne we have always got something else up our sleaves and I am sure a lot of you will remember our kestrel family from last year. They had a brilliant 2011 by succesfully raising four healthy chicks including the smallest one that worried a few people early on.
We have decided to put this nest back online now and you can also come and watch it in the visitor centre. The female is sitting on 5 eggs at the moment and this is the same as last year although one failed to hatch. We are not sure when she laid her eggs as she was already sitting on the 5 when we turned the camera back on a week ago. However we think she is at least 2 weeks earlier than last year and the first chick actually hatched on the 21st May 2011. It is a bit difficult to predict when they will hatch but the female will incubate for about 28. So given this information please feel free to have guesses on dates!
To Watch this webcam online follow the link on our main web page or click here http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/webcam.aspx
Don't be confused by the buzzard information still on the page it will be updated in the next couple of days!
I've heard a Cuckoo singing in the background this evening!
That was nice RD :-)
A big juicy rodent just came in but missed the actual arrival - chick seemed brought it right to the front to dangle and then tear it apart - bit too close and graphic!
I see you can tell which chick just had the meal by the blood and bits still stuck to its foot!
Good morning everyone. Looks like a windy day at Arne. Chicks look great, would love a glimpse of the parents today but they're sooooo fast when they deliver the food!
11.03: the previous snack is still being enjoyed by the pair at the back of the nest, whilst the one waiting at the front relaxes to the 'Tractor Symphony'.
Unknown said: 11.03: the previous snack is still being enjoyed by the pair at the back of the nest, whilst the one waiting at the front relaxes to the 'Tractor Symphony'.
Off now, happy watching everyone (the tractor is too busy for my ears today lol):)
Dad just dropped off a meal, what a racket - and then the squealing - not a slow worm then!
Think that was Mum just leaving after another drop-off.
Brilliant the way they seem to take turns - one at the front catching the breeze while lots of munching going on behind them :-)