In three years here at Fotherdale, brave Mrs Kes just couldn't seem to catch a break. Watch this kestrel mum fight on to ensure her eggs hatch yet again this year.

Watch Mr & Mrs Kes interact live on my nest cam:    • Live From Fotherdale | Robert E Fuller   and follow their story in this playlist:    • Kestrels  Mr & Mrs Kes | Wild Lives ...  

JOIN MY MISSION
____________________

You can support my wildlife rehabilitation and conservation work by donating here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s... or joining one of my supporter communities: https://www.robertefuller.com/support...

ABOUT THIS FILM
____________________

Meet Mrs Kes

Mrs Kes, a female kestrel, is carefully brooding six eggs. She shares this role with her mate, Mr Kes. Incubation began after the third egg was laid and will last around a month.

Nest improvements

Mrs Kes carefully brings soft wood chippings into the centre to provide a cushioned base for her eggs.

Past intruders

It is Mr & Mrs Kes' is 3rd season together and each year brave Mrs Kes has had to fight off intruders.

Barn owls outside

Now the local barn owls are trying to enter her nest. Mrs Kes sees them off, but she is rattled by the attack.

Then jackdaws threaten

Not long after, a pair of persistant jackdaws threaten to trap her inside.

Mr Kes saves the day

Until finally, Mr Kes swoops in to put an end to the trouble.

Red kite attack

But poor Mrs Kes can't seem to catch a break. Even when she heads out to stretch her wings she gets divebombed this time by a red kite.

Tawny trouble

Just a few days before the chicks are due to hatch, Luna the tawny owl lands at the nest. She has chicks next door and is highly territorial. As Luna tries to enter, Mrs Kes lunges, she’ll do anything to protect the eggs.

Mr Kes withdraws from brooding duty

At the start of May, Mr Kes is no longer sharing incubation of the eggs with Mrs Kes. This a sign that the chicks will hatch soon.

First chick

Mrs Kes broods the eggs closely… and soon, we get a glimpse of the first chick. She eats the eggshell as it contains essential protein, calcium, and a range of minerals.

Five more kestrel chicks follow

Kestrel eggs are laid at two to threeday intervals, but brooding only begins after the 3rd egg is laid. The chicks then hatch in quick succession. The second hatches only an hour and a half after the first!

Kestrel roles

Mr Kes sees his first two chicks for the first time and quickly sets off to find food. It’s amazing to see how well this pair work together.

More chicks

In the afternoon, Mrs Kes reveals a third chick, still damp. And when she leaves the nest in the evening, a fourth chick has hatched, too! The next day two more hatch and this kestrel family is now complete.

Next time

When these chicks are just one week old, Mrs Kes suddenly disappears. With six hungry mouths to feed, Mr Kes must step up and take responsibility as a single parent.

ABOUT ME
____________

I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.

You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: https://www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!

You can also follow me on these platforms:
Website: https://www.robertefuller.com
Facebook:   / robertefullerart  
Twitter:   / robertefuller  
Instagram:   / robertefuller  

CHAPTERS
_____________

00:00 Brooding 6 Eggs
00:32 Nest Improvements
00:49 Past Battles
00:59 Battling Barn Owls
01:51 Jackdaw Problems
03:13 Mr Kes To The Rescue
03:28 Final Preparations
03:43 Red Kite Attack
04:14 Tawny Owl Trouble
04:54 Male Kestrel Roles
05:32 First Chick Hatches
05:51 A Second Hatchling
06:12 Mr Kes Meets The Chicks
06:48 Chicks' First Feed
07:14 Third & Fourth Chicks Hatch
07:52 Sixth and Final Chick
08:15 Kestrel Family Complete

___________________
© Robert E Fuller

Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to reupload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: [email protected]

#robertefuller #kestrel #falcon #birdsofprey