Kestrels Apollo & Athena survive illness, jackdaw threats and a frail weakening chick. Watch as they formidable pair pull together - with a little help from me.
Established kestrel pair
As Apollo & Athena raise their fourth clutch in four years, they are a well-oiled team. As Athena broods their six eggs, Apollo brings in food and helps out with daytime brooding. Athena unwell But then Athena falls ill. Struggling to breathe, she begins retching. It's hard to know the cause and I can't examine her without putting the eggs at risk. The best thing to do is to leave her and hope she recovers. Thankfully, after four days, she starts to look better, even preening - a sure sign of recovery.
Protecting the nest
But this pair's problems are not over yet. Ever since they first nested here, the site has been under constant attack from jackdaws, and Apollo spends his days fighting off five potential intruders. Watch him see them off, then call Athena to let her know its safe to go out. Watching her stretch her wings is a great sign that she’s over the worst.
Kestrel hatching
As hatching day approaches, Athena is reluctant to allow Apollo his turn on the eggs. I’ve noticed this possessive behaviour before - and it usually comes right before hatching. So it's no surprise when just 12 hours later, the first chick is revealed. Apollo soon arrives to take a look at his new chick, giving a call as he enters the hollow. The hatching process takes two to three days and as he prepares for more hungry mouths, Apollo ups his hunting efforts.
Chicks' first feeds
The first chick is still on its back as it receives its first feed, a bit unorthodox but it works! It is not long before the 2nd chick hatches & then 3rd egg is cracking and for this busy kestrel pair its all wings on deck The more chicks hatch, the more food Apollo delivers, passing each delivery to Athena with practised ease. She, in her turn, is so gentle as she feeds the chicks. Note how she removes an egg shell from beneath her and eats it, reabsorbing the calcium she’s lost through egg laying.
One chick struggles
All six chicks hatch, but at eight days old the last to hatch looks dangerously small and at 10 days, as the other chicks learn to tackle their own food and the brood is able to thermoregulate, it's is clear this chick is very frail. It won't be easy, but I decide to take action and head to the nest to offer this chick supplementary food. It’s quite a commitment as I have to climb up to the nest two or three times a day. Let’s hope it is enough to keep this chick going.
Next time
It’s been fascinating following the incubation of Apollo and Athena’s eggs and I'm so pleased Athena survived her mystery illness. Watch the next episode to find out if the smallest chick survives and see its siblings take their first flights into the great outdoors
