Kestrels Apollo & Athena survive sickness, jackdaw threats and a frail weakening chick. Watch as they formidable pair pull collectively – with a bit assist from me.
Established kestrel pair
As Apollo & Athena elevate their fourth clutch in 4 years, they’re a well-oiled workforce. As Athena broods their six eggs, Apollo brings in meals and helps out with daytime brooding. Athena unwell However then Athena falls in poor health. Struggling to breathe, she begins retching. It is exhausting to know the trigger and I can not look at her with out placing the eggs in danger. The perfect factor to do is to go away her and hope she recovers. Fortunately, after 4 days, she begins to look higher, even preening – a positive signal of restoration.
Defending the nest
However this pair’s issues will not be over but. Ever since they first nested right here, the positioning has been beneath fixed assault from jackdaws, and Apollo spends his days combating off 5 potential intruders. Watch him see them off, then name Athena to let her know its protected to exit. Watching her stretch her wings is a superb signal that she’s over the worst.
Kestrel hatching
As hatching day approaches, Athena is reluctant to permit Apollo his activate the eggs. I’ve observed this possessive behaviour earlier than – and it often comes proper earlier than hatching. So it is no shock when simply 12 hours later, the primary chick is revealed. Apollo quickly arrives to check out his new chick, giving a name as he enters the hole. The hatching course of takes two to a few days and as he prepares for extra hungry mouths, Apollo ups his searching efforts.
Chicks’ first feeds
The primary chick continues to be on its again because it receives its first feed, a bit unorthodox but it surely works! It’s not lengthy earlier than the 2nd chick hatches & then third egg is cracking and for this busy kestrel pair its all wings on deck The extra chicks hatch, the extra meals Apollo delivers, passing every supply to Athena with practised ease. She, in her flip, is so mild as she feeds the chicks. Notice how she removes an egg shell from beneath her and eats it, reabsorbing the calcium she’s misplaced via egg laying.
One chick struggles
All six chicks hatch, however at eight days previous the final to hatch seems dangerously small and at 10 days, as the opposite chicks be taught to sort out their very own meals and the brood is ready to thermoregulate, it is is obvious this chick could be very frail. It will not be straightforward, however I determine to take motion and head to the nest to supply this chick supplementary meals. It’s fairly a dedication as I’ve to climb as much as the nest two or 3 times a day. Let’s hope it is sufficient to hold this chick going.
Subsequent time
It’s been fascinating following the incubation of Apollo and Athena’s eggs and I am so happy Athena survived her thriller sickness. Watch the subsequent episode to search out out if the smallest chick survives and see its siblings take their first flights into the nice outdoor
