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Kestrels Apollo & Athena become the perfect parenting team as they overcome a series of challenges to raise five chicks.
After a rocky first year, in which this kestrel couple’s relationship was clearly strained, the male Apollo now knows just how to appease his older, more dominant mate, Athena. Watch him shower her in gifts as their courtship develops.
Kestrel courtship
Kestrel courtship rituals begin with the male securing a site and ‘presenting’ it to the female for her approval. But when Apollo chooses Ash Hollow, the nest box I built especially for this couple in Ash Wood, he finds he has to fight off competitors, including jackdaws, a buzzard, and once even a stoat!
Egg laying
On April 1st Athena lays her first egg and then lays a further five – producing one roughly every two days.
Relationship strain
But the strain of egg-laying means Athena occasionally lashes out. Watch poor Apollo climb the walls to get out of her way.
Nest attacks
But the couple learn to come together when jackdaws attack. Watch them fight as a team to see them off.
Chicks hatch
35 days after it was laid, the first chick hatches. It’s covered in white downy feathers and it’s eyes are closed. Then, four hours later, the second emerges and Apollo arrives to inspect his new offspring.
First days
The two older chicks eyes are already open at less than 12 hours old, the 5th hatches the next day but it is a full two days before the sixth and final chick hatches.
Apollo hunts
Apollo must now work hard to feed his family. But the drought means there is little food about and Athena steps in to help.
Chicks hungry
It soon becomes clear that food is scarce and when Athena returns from hunting episodes with just a few worms I grow worried.
Youngest chick dies
The youngest chick is a lot smaller than the others …and eventually I decide to intervene but I cannot save it.
Chicks grow independent
The remaining chicks grow increasingly competitive and mealtimes become ferocious as they fight over food. Often there is a tug-of-war.
Ringing
Before their first flights, Jean Thorpe of Ryedale Rehabilitation, a licenced British Trust for Ornithology bird ringer, places ID rings, or tags, on their legs. This will ensure these birds can be identified if they’re found in the future.
Weights
The kestrels are also weighed and their weights, 270g, 225g, 300g, 255g, 260g and a little one at 215g, are recorded.
Fledge
At 33 days old the first chick fledges the nest, followed one by one and over the course of two days by all four of its siblings.
First month
They remain close to the nest for another month where Apollo & Athena continue to feel them.
New generation
I too help this incredible kestrel family out by leaving food. It’s amazing to see a new generation of kestrels thrive.
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