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!
The camera is working ok this morning - You won't get any pictures once it starts to get dark - there are no lights on the camera!
Just checking - is it correct the the stream cuts off every 10-12 minutes? Just in case it's my system that's causing it. Not a problem if the cut-off is intended :-)
IMAGICAT
It does it automatically, just have to click to reconnect. Glad your still enjoying the kestrels!
Jo T Always on the side of the feathered guy!
I certainly am enjoying the kestrels, Jot - I am besotted, have to ration myself ;-) Osprey eggs due to hatch soon, heart-in-mouth time because of the terrible weather this season.
Oh yeah, I've been checking the osprey cam to see if they've hatched yet, let's hope the weather gets better once they've hatched. I'm totally addicted to the kestrels! I've torn the cartilage in my knee so can't do much at the moment, it's lovely to be able to connect with the outside world!
Saw the chicks helping themselves to a furry snack earlier, even the little one managed to get a bite, after the larger chicks had made a start. Can't believe how fast they are growing!
Just logged on. Morning all. Looks like mum has relented to snuggling by the side of the chicks for now. That's one mighty ball of fluff....must be the good diet :)
Been at work, so late post to MICHAEL, just to say thanks for confirming that the cam goes off at night. My laptop has been struggling lately but following a tidy up is back to normal now. For the time being!
Mum at the entrance now 10.45, could a snack be imminent? I must say they've done a good job of whitewashing the walls......
10.54 mum's away, chicks are surprisingly 'flat out' - they must be stuffed with slow worms, lizards etc......will there be room for a snack i wonder.....Of course there will!