The sheer determination of kestrels Apollo & Athena never fails to surprise me. Their fourth breeding season was dogged by jackdaw attacks, illness and the near-loss of a chick. Despite it all, this brave kestrel pair soldiered on.
Rivals
Kestrels Apollo & Athena start to secure their nest in January - and not a moment too soon since their favourite spot, Ash Hollow, is a sought after spot. Jackdaws circle and one even drags poor Apollo out of the nest. Jackdaws are a major threat to nesting birds of prey. They've been known to trap owls and other birds inside their nests. But this kestrel pair won't give up without a fight and, working together, they chase the intruders away.
Jackdaws persist throughout
Throughout the kestrels' courtship, nesting and even their egg-laying, jackdaw attacks continued. Whilst offering a gift to his kestrel partner Athena, Apollo is pinned to the floor of the nest by a jackdaw. Thankfully Athena comes to the rescue. Jackdaws continue to threaten this kestrel nest even as Athena lays her eggs - and one egg gets knocked during the melee! Thankfully Apollo is an attentive mate and is there to take turns on the egg, giving Athena a much needed break. In one attack the jackdaws removed nesting material, making the floor hard and unforgiving. To ensure the safety of the eggs I add more. As Athena lays more eggs, jackdaws try to block this female kestrel inside her nest! But Athena is a fiesty bird and she lunges at them. Apollo arrives at her side and together they see off these new intrudes.
Serious illness
Then things take a turn for the worse. Athena gets sick, and for four frightening days we watch her bring up mucus. On the fourth day Apollo is occupied guarding the nest from a squirrel and even more jackdaws, when he calls to let Athena know all is safe again, she flies out - a good sign. Thankfully Athena recoves just in time. Twelve hours later she reveals her first chick. As the remaining five chicks hatch this pair work round the clock to keep their chicks fed and warm.
Frail chick
As the brood begins to grow, it's clear that one chick is unlikely to survive. I decide to help out and pop in a bit of extra food to help and it works. The chick soon catches up with its siblings, growing curious and exploring the nest.
ID rings and first flights
Before their final flight feathers grow through, the get their ID rings and I build a hide so that I can film their first, shaky flights. It's fantastic to watch all six chicks begin to explore the outside world, under the watchful eye of their parents.
What an incredible journey this has been. Yet again wild kestrels Apollo & Athena have shown the determination and courage we've come to expect!
