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!
It is still fairly quiet on both the kestrel and buzzards nest. There has been activity in the Kestrel box and it looks like they will be using it soon and the buzzards have been back and forth to their nest but haven't settled yet. We are hoping to stream the buzzards if they do nest as it will be an exciting opportunity to see nesting buzzards in Dorset online for the first time.
I will Launch a new official thread for the webcam when we know what is happening and which camera we are going to stream. I will update when anything exciting happens.
Michael
Just seen a post from Laura re a Kestrel in the box on my e-mail but can't find it here, seems to have disappeared - or is it me?!
Thanks doggie, glad I'm not alone!
:-)
Hi pudweena - how are you, long time no speak!! What did I miss?? Was very disappointed when I read MW post about Arne Kestrels, I was so hoping for a repeat of last year as I came a bit late to it. Will have to be content with my Kestrels thread here for which I am chief monitor - no live cam though - just me trying to keep up with events!!
Hi Wendy, yes, long time no speak and I have missed so much on the main community forum but just daren't dip into it as I know I will spend hours there! :-) Just keeping up to date at Arne at the mo. hope you are well too and everyone else on the forum. Laura was saying that suddenly a Kestrel appeared in the box on the cam in the VC. I'm sure that if they appear and nothing happens on the Buzzard nest, as last year, then they will put the cam on the Kestrels. Saw a pair of Kestrels mating up in a tree at Arne last week! :-)
We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed for a result from Arne Kestrels then!!! Haven't managed to witness any mating here although they are in the nest & it looks hopeful.
Fingers crossed for you too :)
Hi Michael hope you are well - do your Kestrels have any eggs yet??
Hi Wendy - I am well thank you. Spring seems to be a little bit delayed this year and everything is happening a bit latter. the kestrels have been in and out of the box but haven't layed yet so we are keeping an eye on it. I think there is a similar pattern elsewhere. We will keep you posted and let you know when anything significant happens!
We are still watching the buzzard nest and that is fairly quiet too!