I used to be all smiles when all six of single kestrel dad Mr Kes’ chicks acquired their ID rings. After such a troublesome begin it felt like they’d lastly made it and have been now able to graduate to maturity.
THE STORY
When these six kestrel chicks misplaced their mom it was contact and go whether or not they would survive. However with a bit help from me, their superb dad, Mr Kes, realized to take care of them on his personal. This was actually unimaginable provided that male kestrels don’t often do that and normally motherless kestrel chicks die.
SINGLE KESTREL DAD
I helped Mr Kes by placing further meals into the nest, however principally he labored around the clock to maintain his six chicks fed. I stored an in depth eye on their progress by way of my nest cams able to intervene if mandatory.
KESTREL CHICKS GROW
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than the chicks may feed themselves and at three weeks outdated their flight feathers got here via. At three weeks outdated the nest was a bit crowded and it was virtually time for them to fledge.
ID RINGS
However earlier than they left, we would have liked to connect ID rings to their legs. That is accomplished by Jean Thorpe, a licensed chook ringer. Jean matches a light-weight metallic ring, completely sized to suit for all times, to every kestrel. Then we weighed them able to ship the info to the British Belief for Ornithology. All this knowledge types a nationwide database, offering important details about wild kestrel populations.
HEARTWARMING
After a tricky begin in life, it’s superb to see all six chicks so wholesome. After the tragedy of shedding their mom, who would have thought? These chicks are thriving, and so they’ll be able to fledge in only a week’s time.