The sheer dedication of kestrels Apollo & Athena by no means fails to shock me. Their fourth breeding season was dogged by jackdaw assaults, sickness and the near-loss of a chick. Regardless of all of it, this courageous kestrel pair soldiered on.
Rivals
Kestrels Apollo & Athena begin to safe their nest in January – and never a second too quickly since their favorite spot, Ash Hole, is a wanted spot. Jackdaws circle and one even drags poor Apollo out of the nest. Jackdaws are a significant menace to nesting birds of prey. They have been identified to lure owls and different birds inside their nests. However this kestrel pair will not quit with out a battle and, working collectively, they chase the intruders away.
Jackdaws persist all through
All through the kestrels’ courtship, nesting and even their egg-laying, jackdaw assaults continued. While providing a present to his kestrel accomplice Athena, Apollo is pinned to the ground of the nest by a jackdaw. Fortunately Athena involves the rescue. Jackdaws proceed to threaten this kestrel nest whilst Athena lays her eggs – and one egg will get knocked in the course of the melee! Fortunately Apollo is an attentive mate and is there to take activates the egg, giving Athena a a lot wanted break. In a single assault the jackdaws eliminated nesting materials, making the ground arduous and unforgiving. To make sure the protection of the eggs I add extra. As Athena lays extra eggs, jackdaws attempt to block this feminine kestrel inside her nest! However Athena is a fiesty fowl and he or she lunges at them. Apollo arrives at her facet and collectively they see off these new intrudes.
Severe sickness
Then issues take a flip for the more serious. Athena will get sick, and for 4 scary days we watch her deliver up mucus. On the fourth day Apollo is occupied guarding the nest from a squirrel and much more jackdaws, when he calls to let Athena know all is protected once more, she flies out – a very good signal. Fortunately Athena recoves simply in time. Twelve hours later she reveals her first chick. Because the remaining 5 chicks hatch this pair work around the clock to maintain their chicks fed and heat.
Frail chick
Because the brood begins to develop, it is clear that one chick is unlikely to outlive. I determine to assist out and pop in a bit of additional meals to assist and it really works. The chick quickly catches up with its siblings, rising curious and exploring the nest.
ID rings and first flights
Earlier than their closing flight feathers develop by way of, the get their ID rings and I construct a cover in order that I can movie their first, shaky flights. It is improbable to look at all six chicks start to discover the skin world, below the watchful eye of their mother and father.
What an unbelievable journey this has been. But once more wild kestrels Apollo & Athena have proven the dedication and braveness we have come to count on!
