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!
Can see 3 in the box, don't blame the others for popping back for shelter!
pudweena said: Can see 3 in the box, don't blame the others for popping back for shelter!
Oh absolutely brilliant Mims, your captures and the video - amazing footage - wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry, compelling viewing :-)
Apologies for no captures, nearly learnt how to do it before hols and not had time to work on it since but probably best to leave it to the experts anyway!
PUDWEENA, I'm hardly an expert but am learning as I go. It may take some time lol. Would love to see some pics from you when you feel ready. If you have 'Paint' on your computer, there's a quick way of doing it to avoid the clipping etc, and I'd be more than happy to talk you through - it's easy once you have a couple of go's. (Unlike the video stuff lol)
What an extraordinary bit of video! Did it strap on a parachute before making that jump I wonder? The youngest kestrel will have to acquire a killer instinct from somewhere if it expects to survive in the cold wet yonder.
17.56: a quick look in and glad to see all 4 chicks together again for now. Perhaps the rain had something to do with it...)
18.31: the rain is quite heavy by the sound of it.....it would be nice if they could spend the night together.
Yes - I imagine the hunting skills required in this weather are a little beyond them.
Got to go now. Happy watching everyone:)
I'm so pleased you say all 4 were back, nice to know all safe and well. Can see 3 at the moment but 1 might be behind them.