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!
Thankyou doggie (meswelledhead) just wait til I catch the little blighters on the telegraph pole - clarity should be great.....
Left it too long between checks - this is what I found at 21:55
So at least one roosting in the box!
Glad your camera is up and running, Wendy.
Tiger and Chloe's Osprey Info
Neither did I get there birdsong - too busy gabbing on osprey forum although it was mostly about our garden birds- hope our chicks are there again tomorrow - 'spect so 'cos weather is bad again for a couple of days or so!
Hi all - another kestrel here just fledged amid much noise - has been practising flying - so elegant for a newby. Unfortunately he is settling in trees near nest & I can't get pic but will keep trying. Did not get to Arne kestrels again tonight - out sewing silly cushion!!
ps - someone is there - can hear the noise on the mike!!
Heard fledgling arrive in box at 21:48 but it was so dark this was the only photo I captured - really there is a bird there on the right hand side!
can see that really clearly birdsong - must be an entrant for best kestrel pic of the year - LOL!!!!!
Here are my babies..........................
Just after this was taken it was attacked by a blackbird who flew from across the other side of the quarry and 'donked' it!!!
This is the view from my door but I can get closer to nest hole when it stops raining!
ps - click for better view - haven't edited any yet!!
Hi All - am back at Arne tonight to try to capture chicks - as it's raining they may well come to box whilst it's light enough for pic..............meanwhile I shall post new pics of my babies here in the quarry
This is a male kestrel on telegraph pole rung opp my door but I don't know if juvenile or adult
these are siblings in the nest - and - there are three - but I missed the shot!!!!