Keep an eye out for noisy family parties of Kestrels. Most have fledged by now, but they will often stay in the general vicinity of the nest site for some days, before eventually roving further afield. The adults will continue to feed them for several weeks, before the young falcons learn to hunt for themselves.
A fledged Kestrel. Although difficult to tell from an adult female, with a reasonably good view, the fresh feathers with pale tips are a good indicator for a young bird. Females at this time of year have less defined barring and are often a bit 'tatty' looking after months of hard work at the nest site. Galway, 29th June (M.O'Clery).
Two young Kestrels noisily begging for food from their parents, despite the fact that the one on the right already has possession of a dead rat. Galway, 29th June (M.O'Clery).
