The nest box mentioned in the post below now has a camera within. Here, we see the female arrive back at the nest, and quickly brood her young. She shifts about, tucking the vulnerable chicks beneath her to keep them warm.
The female Kestrel at her nest box. The four chicks are just visible in the box (M.O'Clery. Filmed under licence from NPWS).
She initially settles in what looks to be a very uncomfortable pose, sideways on, but then achieves a greater level of comfort. Kestrels are amazingly feisty parents, quickly flying to challenge any crows that enter the vicinity of the nest, and both male and female are very attentive to the chicks. The female will do all the incubating and brooding while the male provides food back at the nest, both for the chicks and the female. Later, when the chicks are a little larger, the female too will head out to hunt.
More from this nest box soon.
Video of female Kestrel brooding four chicks, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, 9th May 2017 (M.O'Clery. Filmed under licence from NPWS)
Please note - nest visits to protected species can only be done under special licence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
