Kestrels_Overcome_Adversity_as_Chicks_Hatch___Grow___Apollo___Athena___001

Bird of prey attack

Not only did the kestrels have to battle buzzards and tawny owls, but jackdaws and a barn owl also threatened to enter their nest

Six eggs

With a full clutch of eggs to protect, the pair worked tirelessly to keep their nest safe. Watch as Apollo chases a jackdaw away.

Apollo & Athena

For this kestrel couple, battles are commonplace. Not only must they constantly fight to keep their eggs safe, but there is often also a lot of tension inside the nest too.

Athena

Athena is a formidable falcon and in this relationship she is the one who calls the shots. Watch her cluck angrily at Apollo when it is her turn to brood. She is impatient for her turn and is so busy berating him she barely notices that she is blocking his exit.

Incubation

Meanwhile Apollo does his best to please. Watch him squeeze past her and head off to hunt. Later, when the eggs are due to hatch, she takes over the role full time.

Chicks hatch

35 days after it was laid, the first chick hatches. It’s covered in white downy feathers and it’s eyes are closed. Then, four hours later, the second emerges and Apollo arrives to inspect his new offspring.

First days

The two older chicks eyes are already open at less than 12 hours old, the 5th hatches the next day but it is a full two days before the sixth and final chick hatches.

Apollo hunts

Apollo must now work hard to feed his family. But Athena is hard to please and he looks increasingly confused.

Lean pickings

It soon becomes clear that food is scarce and when Athena also returns from hunting episodes with just a few worms I grow worried for the chicks.

Youngest chick is weak

The youngest chick is a lot smaller than the others …and eventually I decide to intervene. It is always a difficult decision when animals are wild, but at 11 days old this chick was closer to the size you would expect a 4 or 5 day old chick to be.

Sad loss

Despite my best efforts this tiny kestrel chick sadly passed away. It is such a shame but with less beaks to feed the other five chicks soon began to thrive.

Next time

Join me next time to see these kestrel chicks get their ID rings and prepare to take their first look at the world beyond the nest.

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.