I used to be all smiles when all six of single kestrel dad Mr Kes’ chicks obtained their ID rings. After such a troublesome begin it felt like that they had 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 slightly help from me, their superb dad, Mr Kes, realized to look after them on his personal. This was actually unimaginable provided that male kestrels don’t normally do that and generally motherless kestrel chicks die.
SINGLE KESTREL DAD
I helped Mr Kes by placing additional meals into the nest, however principally he labored around the clock to maintain his six chicks fed. I saved a detailed eye on their progress through my nest cams able to intervene if vital.
KESTREL CHICKS GROW
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than the chicks may feed themselves and at three weeks previous their flight feathers got here via. At three weeks previous the nest was slightly crowded and it was virtually time for them to fledge.
ID RINGS
However earlier than they left, we wanted to connect ID rings to their legs. That is completed by Jean Thorpe, a licensed chicken ringer. Jean matches a light-weight steel ring, completely sized to suit for all times, to every kestrel. Then we weighed them able to ship the information to the British Belief for Ornithology. All this knowledge varieties 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, they usually’ll be able to fledge in only a week’s time.
