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Tales of a South Downs fox... and other ramblings

Kestrel Chicks (picture special)

Monday, 15. June 2009, 22:07:48

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I'm never sure it's a good idea to give precise locations in these instances, but the following photos were taken at a local nature reserve in Sussex. I'd gone in search of demoiselle dragonflies, but before we made it to the ponds we came across one of the nesting boxes. There were four young kestrels skipping in and out, and over a period of time we were rewarded with the adult male coming in twice with prey. The first time the chicks disappeared into the box with it. On the second feeding, the largest of the chicks kept the kill (a bank vole by the look of it) to itself.

This is a small selection of photos. There are more over on my website.

kestrel chicksFirst there was one

kestrel chicksKestrel chick in profile

kestrel chicksThen two more appeared

kestrel chicksThree's a crowd

kestrel chicksFour young kestrels

kestrel chicksThe adult is overhead

kestrel chicksDelivering the food

kestrel chicksOff hunting again

kestrel chicksSecond delivery

kestrel chicksThe handover

kestrel chicksThe handover continues

kestrel chicksThe greedy chick doesn't share this time

kestrel chicksTwo chicks waiting for Papa!

All the shots were taken from a safe distance away, and many are heavily cropped. I also took some video which has a fairly lengthy feeding sequence near the end. It's long (8 minutes approx).

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Camera note: all shots were taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The video was taken with the Sony Handycam DCR SX30, supported on a monopod.

While I'm sorting out the interesting stuff...Bunny Fun

Comments

Dudley 15. June 2009, 23:16

Jackpot! :up:

RobinL 15. June 2009, 23:52

Wow! I'm impresses. Very nice pics. A really nice discovery.

Words 16. June 2009, 00:07

Andy, yes that's the word :D

Words 16. June 2009, 00:09

Robin, it was a wonderful surprise. The box is near a path and situated so that for much of the day the sun is behind you. Perfect conditions to watch them.

cakkleberrylane 16. June 2009, 02:27

That is just amazing! Spectacular shots!

UrbanExtension 16. June 2009, 04:39

Beautiful pictures, what an amazing thing to see. Have you seen the kestrel nestbox webcam at Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk/kestrelcam.html They have 5 very small chicks just hatched. Jane

gdare 16. June 2009, 04:46

Excellent, I have never seen this before. How many chicks kestrels usually have, 4 or more?

Cynthia23 16. June 2009, 15:04

Thanks, Words, fantastic!!

Ukwildlife 16. June 2009, 19:47

excellent stuff.
I really should have headed up to the kestrel family in Regents Park, but just havent had the time.

Words 16. June 2009, 21:53

Lois, thanks! :D

Words 16. June 2009, 21:56

Jane, it was an excellent 'find' and very few people around. Thanks for the link to the webcam :up:

Words 16. June 2009, 21:57

Darko, I think 4 or 5 chicks is quite usual though it's the first time I've seen anything quite like this.

Words 16. June 2009, 21:57

Cynthia, thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed them!

Words 16. June 2009, 21:59

Neil, I'm sure it's worth checking out Regents Park. It was a great way to spend some time out in the sun.

SittingFox 17. June 2009, 19:20

Fabulous. I won't ask how many hundreds of photos you took in total :wink: Beautiful birds and you've really done them justic here :up:

sprogger 17. June 2009, 19:27

Brilliant :up:

Words 17. June 2009, 21:25

Adele, I was very restrained and didn't even get to need the spare data card. Great to watch though. Actually there are two main sequences there. We did go and explore the dragonflies in between, but went back later which is when the adults appeared.

Words 17. June 2009, 21:25

Thanks Sprogger!

studio41 21. June 2009, 06:03

so many wonderful shots to choose from here, greatly enjoyed these.

Words 21. June 2009, 08:15

Thanks Jill!

studio41 23. June 2009, 02:18

welcome :smile:

Anonymous 23. June 2009, 06:28

TBR writes:

Superb shots Words.
"Four kestrels manoeuvre in the dark, eh?"
Also mightly impressed with your wagtail photos, but you might remember I'm a bit fond of wagtails!

Words 23. June 2009, 19:38

Doug, LOL... I should have thought of that :lol:

Thought you might like the wagtails. I get to watch them everyday at the moment. Cute little things, but the poor adults are wearing themselves out.

Flying Red Fox Blog 28. June 2009, 09:42

Brilliant photos. :D I saw something like that hovering above our villa in Majorca, when i get them edited i will show.

Words 28. June 2009, 22:38

Mark, you could well have seen a kestrel, but I'll be interested to see the photo. It may be something even more exotic.

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