Kestrel Update 02-06-2020

[antoeknee]

Quite a lot of activity in the nest

Male returns with another bird, seems to be his favourite prey item at the moment. Last 5 or 6 kills I've seen have been birds and he started with pheasant and then moved to a different species but not been able to ident till this photo.
From the long back claw it looks like a pipit and most likely meadow pipit
Kestrel 2020-162 by tblake2007, on Flickr

The chicks were less than interested
Kestrel 2020-163 by tblake2007, on Flickr

And he offered to them several times
Kestrel 2020-164 by tblake2007, on Flickr
Kestrel 2020-165 by tblake2007, on Flickr

So he decided to eat some himself
Kestrel 2020-166 by tblake2007, on Flickr

One chick did take it but just dropped in the back of the nest
Kestrel 2020-167 by tblake2007, on Flickr

Female arrived shortly afterwards with a rodent which she fed to the chicks
Kestrel 2020-168 by tblake2007, on Flickr
Kestrel 2020-169 by tblake2007, on Flickr

After feeding the chicks she took the bird and ate it herself
Kestrel 2020-170 by tblake2007, on Flickr

[CasaRova]

The chicks were very un-impressed with fathers meal. Mum was so upset she ate it herself. wonderful story Antoeknee. The chicks are getting a lot of colour now.

[ST-EOS]

Nice update Ant
Those chicks are certainly doing well, starting to loose their fluff/downy feathers with the real feathers starting to show. Nice to be able to compare the size of a youngster against the adult in the last image.

[Trev B]

Another great update Ant

[Bill53]

Excellent update and shots.

Bill.

[antoeknee]

Nice update Ant
Those chicks are certainly doing well, starting to loose their fluff/downy feathers with the real feathers starting to show. Nice to be able to compare the size of a youngster against the adult in the last image.

Thanks for comments everyone.

The chick to the right has more down than the others, most likely the last to hatch.

[John Liddle]

Thank you once again Anthony - this series is wonderful!

[Lepus]

So nice of you to take the time to keep us posted .

[Brian Sugden]

Another excellent update Ant. The chicks look to be doing very well.

[antoeknee]

Another excellent update Ant. The chicks look to be doing very well.

Yes they do seem to be thriving, must be plenty of food.

Been a bit lazy these past few mornings so haven't been to see them. Hoping to go tomorrow.

[leeperry]

Super update and images

[JayTee]

Excellent, thank you

[Colin W]

Great photos and update again.