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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