When kestrels Mr & Mrs Kes began getting ready for the breeding season ahead, they were full of hope. This look back at their nest hunting and egglaying brings back bittersweet memories.

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 ...  

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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Mr & Mrs Kes

This experienced kestrel pair have been together three years. Now they’re searching again for the perfect place to bring up chicks.

Kestrel nest hunting

Last year, they raisd 5 chikcs in a nestbox named Sycamore Stump, but since then, barn owls, Willow & Ghost, have taken over the site. The kestrels now need somewhere new. I notice them checking another nest box, Ash Stump. This pair nested here 2 years ago, but it wasn’t easy… they had problems with barn owls, jackdaws, and tawny owls.

A nest box with prospects

Another option is Beech Stump. Mrs Kes begins to nest scrape checking if the nest floor will be safe to lay eggs on.They seem to like this spot and soon, they mate just outside! But the kestrels aren’t the only ones interested. Tawny owls and barn owls also want it.

My nestorations

I decide to renovate the Ash Stump to make it more suitable for kestrels. I fit a wooden baffle, which will hopefully deter larger birds from entering. When I see that the tawny owl Bomber can’t get past the baffle, it’s clear that my handiwork has done its job.

Kestrel food pass

By midFebruary, the kestrels have decided on this nest and now focus on courtship. Mr Kes works hard to impress the female by providing food. These food passes are an important part of courtship… proving that the male can provide for the female and their chicks.

Nest scrapes

They take it in turns to scrape the nest floor… forming a shallow depression in preparation for eggs.As well as some essential maintenance. By midMarch, Mrs Kes is guarding the nest day… and night…

Egg laying

In the morning, Mrs Kes heads inside. She tidies the nest carefully… and when her work’s complete, she settles down. She breathes heavily… and within moments a first egg is revealed. Kestrels lay eggs at 2day intervals and can have a clutch of between 3 and 7 eggs.

Incubation as snow falls

These eggs aren’t incubated right away, brooding typically starts when half the clutch is laid. Over the next 4 days, she lays the second and third eggs. as April arrives, unseasonal storms sweep the Yorkshire countryside, but the pair are vigilant, perfectly timing their changeovers to ensure the eggs don’t get cold. As the cold snap soon passes, Mrs Kes continues to lay eggs 4, 5 & 6.

Chicks due

In just a month’s time, their chicks will hatch, and I can’t wait to see this pair step up to the challenge once again.

Next time

In the next video, after a month’s incubation, the chicks begin to hatch, but just days later, Mrs Kes disappears. How will Mr Kes cope as a single parent?

ABOUT ME
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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
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CHAPTERS
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00:00 Kestrel Pair Need A Nest
00:31 Nest Hunting
00:56 A Nest Box With Prospects
01:20 Inspecting Inside
01:44 First Nest Scrape
02:21 Renovations
03:37 Kestrel Courtship
03:53 Food Pass
04:16 Homemaking
04:44 Mrs Kes On Guard
05:14 Final Preparations
05:35 First Egg
06:10 Eggs 2 & 3
06:24 Unseasonal Snow
07:02 Brooding
07:27 Clutch Complete
08:25 Next Time...

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© 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]

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