Kestrel nest box : Turf wars begin...

 As promised, here are a few shot (1 minute long) recordings from the nestbox, seems that it is in high demand with Stockdoves, Jackdaws and Kestrels all wanting the real-estate for 2024 nesting. None of the pairs has started to lay eggs yet but clealry there is a lot of enthusiam to secure the site. Time will tell who will win out, I'm quietly routing for the Kestrels! 

Jackdaw and Male Kestrel fisty cuffs...

Stock Dove gets short shrift from Male Kestrel

Male & Female Kestrel 'singing' to each other.

Chiffchaff Enjoying the Blackthorn

 

Lights, Camera, Action! But not yet!

 

I put this nest box up last year in March 2023 Kestrel Nest Box the hope that it would attract a mating pair. Over the last few days I have seen the male and female kestrels making sporradic trips to the box and showing some interest in it as a potential nest site. I took this picture from a distance with my Nikon, as I thought I could see something in the nest box opening but it was too far away to be clear.  As I zoomed in I was able to see it was the male, the female was with him moments earlier.  This picture is however not the main prize; I had previously tied a camera trap to one of the branches (see red arrow) in anticipation of some 2024 Kestrel activity. I have so far resisted the urge to retrive the camera, and will leave it in place for a few days until the batteries die.  Hope to have some good close up action to share soon, watch this space...  We had Kestrels successfully nest in the barn owl box last year and I suspect these may be the same pair as I have not seen any action back at the barn owl box just yet. May be this year we will be lucky and get raptors in both boxes.

What!

 I have to admit that when it comes to grey squirrels, I'm not a fan, but this encounter did make me smile. That said, he has to vacate the bird box or there will be a forced eviction!