The four Kestrel chicks are now out, lurking in their loft. I’m going to try to get some pictures.
Oh yes, and I forgot to mention the building is also home to breeding Barn Owls. Caught a glimpse of this one whilst I was watching the Kestrels. He leapt into the crèche – pile of straw – when he saw me coming.
[edit - 21 June] It’s now the monsoon season. I’m worried hunting small rodents for four hungry youngsters will be very difficult for the parents so I’ve hit on a cunning plan. Titus incessantly brings us small rodent gifts which he exchanges for the preferred Felix or Whiskas. I have an ice-cream tub in the fridge – rebadged with inserted ‘M’ – in which to store these offerings. Once or twice a day I chuck the corpses up into the straw. First time I did it I came back an hour later to find my offerings had disappeared.
[23 June] The two largest chicks are sitting on the edge of the tallet like kids on the high diving board. When I approach they skedaddle up the straw, skimming their wing-assisted way into their hideout, rather than the ungainly scuttle they’ve used previously.
[24 June] The big two are airborne, screeching in the strong wind, flying 50 metres to a nearby tree. The weather is absolutely foul; torrential rain, strong gusty winds. No sign of Mum & Dad.
