Kestrel 2017-5

[antoeknee]

Quick update.

Went to check the nest again this morning. Abysmal weather, thunderstorm threatening and very dark so images (high ISO) are record shots only with no PP other than a bit of noise reduction/sharpening.

No shots of the nest, as not worth posting, but chicks are all doing well.

Just a quick sequence of images of a behavior I've not seen before.

Just after I arrived the female arrived at the nest with a rodent that was grabbed by one of the chicks. Shortly after the male arrived with prey but didn't go to the nest, it almost seemed the female warned him off.

After a bit of calling between the two she went and took the prey off him and back to the nest. Sequence of exchange
Kestrel 2017-17 by tblake2007, on Flickr

Kestrel 2017-18 by tblake2007, on Flickr

Kestrel 2017-19 by tblake2007, on Flickr

Kestrel 2017-20 by tblake2007, on Flickr

Back at the nest she gave to a chick who had a bit of trouble swallowing it (on right), sorry about quality
Kestrel 2017-21 by tblake2007, on Flickr

[Jacqueline]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

Amazing set and lovely to see the behavior of these birds.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

The pictures have come out very well. Thanks for sharing. Nice series.

[antoeknee]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

Quite interesting to see this food pass. Have seen this behaviour in larger birds of prey where the hunting instinct in the male is so strong it's not unknown for them to eat their own young. In previous years have seen both male and female at the nest with prey. Young are quite large so would have thought safe, could understand when they were smaller though.

Light was very poor. Most of these images at ISO 2500 and nest shot 4000.

It got that dark at one stage ended up at ISO 6400.

[pelliott1954]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

Brilliant set, love these ongoing stories

Regards Paul

[ctrollen]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

A really good set of pics - keep 'em coming.

[tesarver]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

Nice update Ant

Tom

[2Beers]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

Great series Ant keep them coming

[Tigger]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

great work Ant well done

[John Liddle]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

Thank you for those Anthony - it is great to see the chicks making progress

[Daisy M]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

You are so fortunate to have this site every year & for us to follow their progress is great. Thanks for some great shots. Dave

[antoeknee]

Re: Kestrel 2017-5

Thanks everyone hope to get back and see how things are going over next day or so. Weather has been pretty dire, much like elsewhere.

Chicks usually snuggled low in nest and visits by adults less frequent.