Athena the kestrel rips Jenny out of her nest after discovering this rival female there with her long-term partner Apollo.
Jealous kestrel
When Apollo started calling for a mate this autumn, it was Jenny, not Athena, who responded. Watch Apollo bow excitedly when she arrives - this is typical courtship behaviour from a male kestrel. Their calls soon attract Athena's attention. And Athena, who has a reputation for being aggressive, wastes no time in evicting this daring rival! Thankfully she is keen to reclaim the nest and Jenny seems to have survived unscathed from this encounter, but it would be wise not to mess with Athena again!
Established pair
Kestrel pair Apollo & Athena are long-term residents of Ash Hollow in Ash Wood, having raised chicks there every year since 2021. Meanwhile Jenny the kestrel normally resides here at Fotherdale, where this summer she and her latest partner Jasper raised four chicks in Sycamore Stump.
