Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

A familiar sight with its pointed wings and long tail, hovering beside a roadside verge. Kestrels have been recently declining as a result of habitat degradation due to continuing intensive management of farmland and so it is included on the Amber List. They have adapted readily to man-made environments and can survive right in the centre of cities.

There has been a pair nesting in this barn wall for at least ten years, this year they again have successfully reared three chicks and by the end of this week all will have left the nest. I took these images from a hide about 30 feet from the nest and during the two hours inside the very hot hide the male bird visited only once to feed the two chicks left in the nest. However I could hear but not see the adult pair repeatedly feeding the third chick which had already left the nest. 

The top photo shows the male adult visiting the nest, it had just dropped off one small bird or mouse and the youngest chick managed to reach it first. The second older chick is showing its disproval at not being fed.

The bottom image shows the older chick exercising its wings whilst shouting for its parents to hurry up and feed it.