Kestrel Cam 2011

Thursday, 24 February 2011

After clearing out a squirrel drey from the box, the camera is now in place for the coming breeding season and the box is already seeing some visitors. So far we've had Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw and both male & female Kestrel.

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Jackdaws

Male Kestrel

Female Kestrel

It looks like we may have a little battle between the Jackdaws and Kestrels for the right to use the box, we shall see over the coming weeks. Last year it was late March before the kestrels started to visit the box, beating off competition from a pair of Tawny owls. By Mid-April the female had laid 5 eggs, all of which went on to hatch and successfully fledge.

You can see the photos & video from 2010 over on Flickr, to keep up to date with the latest comings and goings on the box you can also follow us on Twitter - Kestrelcam

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posted by Kestrel Cam at 17:59

Eggs and Incubation

Saturday, 17 April 2010

Crécelle laid the first egg sometime overnight on 13/14 April,  this is some 8 or 9 days earlier than the kestrels that used this box last year (we don't know of it is the same pair but likely) laid the first egg. Eggs are normally laid at 2-day intervals, on schedule with that, the second egg was spotted on the 16th.

The average size for a clutch in kestrels is 4.7, with the clutch size being related to the laying date. Clutch size can also be linked to the vole population, with good vole years resulting in larger clutch sizes. Last year the clutch size for this box was five eggs, resulting in four hatching and successfully hatching. Based on the laying date we should see a larger clutch this year maybe six or seven.

Incubation normally starts after the third egg is laid and lasts between 26-34 days. The Crécelle will do most of the incubation with Hover delivering food and helping keep the eggs warm whilst Crécelle feeds.


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posted by Kestrel Cam at 13:13

Introducing Hover and Crécelle

Thursday, 15 April 2010

It's been suggested that the kestrels starring in Kestrel Cam should be given names. After a little bit of thought and input from others it has been decided to call them Hover (male) and Crécelle (female).

Hover is fairly straight forward in reasoning since the kestrel is the only small British bird of prey which hovers whilst hunting.


 Hover

Crécelle (pronounced cray-cell) comes from the French "to rattle" which refers to the kestrel's call, the French name for the kestrel is Crécerelle.

 Crécelle 

Unlike most raptors, kestrels display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having less black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars on females. Which should help you tell them apart. Also Hover, unlike Crécelle, has a BTO ring on his right leg, although it is much too small to try and read the identification number.

It's early days in the breeding process for Hover and Crécelle, the first egg was laid overnight on the 13/14 April and we can hope to expect another 2-4 eggs. Stay tuned!

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posted by Kestrel Cam at 17:02

Kestrels Settling Down

Monday, 5 April 2010

Over the last few days the kestrels have started to visit the box on a more regular basis, with no further appearances from the tawny owls. Hopefully the tawny owls have decided to use the second box that has been put up lower down in the same tree.

Yesterday saw the male bringing food to the box for the female. She was very appreciative, immediately taking it from him and leaving the box to eat it elsewhere.





Over the coming couple of weeks we should see the box used for longer periods of time and the female eventually laying her first egg.

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posted by Kestrel Cam at 10:02

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