As a child, I remember the thrill of being able to identify a kestrel. It’s one of our most familiar birds of prey. For me, and I suspect for many people, they still provide great joy in being able to name that winged predator in the sky. As its old country name ‘Windhover’ is beautifully apt. Describing their hunting position; wings flapping, tail spread against the wind, position of the body remaining stationary above and unsuspecting mouse.
Although at times, they also look confusingly like other birds. Part of an elegant group of falcons, at first glance in some flight patterns, your heart goes Hobby! Merlin!, and if you happen to voice these thoughts with enthusiasm, then Kestrel will then do something un-mistakenly ‘Kestrel-ish’. Whilst you explain, ‘oh, it’s just a kestrel.’
Not that there is any reason to be disappointed with the sight of a Kestrel. Their presence in the sky besides the roads and hedgerows which are their typical hunting ground, can liven up any car journey or walk. These small elegant falcons are always an enjoyable sight with their slim wings, and beautiful dark eyes. With which they can see in near ultraviolet light, allowing them to detect the urine of their prey and hence locate its position.
Image credit: Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)
Kestrels are found almost throughout Britain, even venturing into cities, occurring over moors, farms, fields, and hills. Due to agricultural intensification and changes in land use, kestrels have declined significantly in population over the last 40 years. Regrettably this familiar bird is now on Amber Conservation status, all the more reason to cherish its presence over the reserve and fields of Cambridgeshire.