The Kestrels at Lorton Meadows - Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ has been written to hopefully answer any questions you have about the Kestrels at Lorton Meadows. We hope we've covered everything. If we haven't, let us know by sending us a question using the contact form at the end of this page. To go back to the main Kestrel Webcam page click here
QUESTION |
ANSWER |
| Have you given the adult kestrels names? | Yes. Kate (named after BBC's Springwatch presenter) is the adult female and Chris is the adult male (in honour of our Wildlife Trust Vice-President Chris Packham & Springwatch presenter). |
| How can I tell which is which? | Chris, the adult male, has a grey head and dark moustachial markings, Kate the female is less well marked, has a brown speckled head and is a bit dowdy (sorry Kate!). |
| How many eggs will they have? and when will they hatch? | They should have about 4-5 eggs. Incubation will take place once several eggs have been laid. The eggs should start to hatch around 30 days from the start of incubation but listen a couple of days before because you might be able to hear the chicks while they are still inside the eggs. |
| Can I see large feathers in the nestbox? | Yes. The female starts to moult while she is incubating the eggs |
| Where is the webcam at Lorton Meadows? | The camera is attached to a kestrel nest box, situated near the top of a tree on the edge of a small woodland at Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve. |
| Where is Lorton Meadows? | You can find directions and further information about this beautiful nature reserve by clicking on Lorton Meadows Reserve & Wildlife Centre. |
| How long have the Kestrels been nesting at Lorton Meadows? | Kestrels have been nesting on the Reserve for at least the last 8 years and started using a nest box as soon as it was put up, early in 2005. This year they have a new box, as their box from last year is occupied by a tawny owl family. |
| How many eggs will be laid and how many young will fledge? | Each year the female has laid between 3 and 6 eggs, although only once have all six eggs hatched, most years two or three young fledge and can be seen (and heard!) flying around the reserve, practicing their hunting techniques. The egg colour is totally individual to the female. Some lay dark eggs, others light. |
| Why you have set this webcam up? | The nest box and camera, set up by Jason Fathers of Wildlife Windows Ltd are part of a larger project based on the reserve to watch nesting birds at Lorton Meadows. This year we have the barn owl box, with Bob and Brenda in the roof of the Wildlife Centre, plus other cameras on feeders and other nests, all of which can be viewed on screen in the Wildlife Centre. In previous years the Kestrels have been monitored remotely by volunteers watching them on screen to see what prey the male brings the female and then later what both adults bring the young. |
| Are the Kestrels affected by the weather? | Yes. It's easier for the kestrels to catch small mammals in fair weather, so we are hoping for good weather for the next couple of months! |
| Will Kestrels come back to the same nestbox year after year? | Yes. In our case this has happened. Once kestrels use a box it is likely they will use it the following year as the male will hold on to the territory. |
| How can I find out about nestbox cameras? | Please contact our nestbox camera supplier Jason Fathers at Wildlife Windows Ltd telephone 01202 461969 |
| I believe we may have a Kestrel nest on a structure we are about to demolish. What are the rules and regulations about this? |
The demolition of the building will need to wait until the chicks have fledged, this shouldn't be long. All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law: In UK by WACA (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) and in Europe as a whole by The EU Birds Directive (1979). Some birds on Schedule 1 of WACA carry very heavy penalties for disturbance etc. Destroying this nest / young now is a prosecutable offence resulting in a criminal offence. I would suggest contacting a local ringer who can check the site to assess when the birds will fledge. The middle of July should be safe but the nest would still need checking. The kestrel chicks won't use the nest site for more than a couple of days after they fledge. Also, if a new building is going up it could be good to incorporate a box for the birds. Answer supplied by bird of prey expert, Jason Fathers at Wildlife Windows Ltd and Dorset Wildlife Trust. |
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