Athena the kestrel is injured in a vicious attack by a grey squirrel and then vanishes. For four long days, I monitor my nest cameras and even head out to search Ash Wood, fearing the worst.
Squirrel attack
Once their brood fledges, kestrels Athena and Apollo use their favourite nest, Ash Hollow, only occasionally, mostly to roost at night. With the hollow left unguarded, jackdaws and grey squirrels start to compete for it. Eventually the squirrels claim it as a winter drey. So when Athena lands at the entrance one evening to roost, a grey squirrel goes on the offensive, biting Athena in a vicious attack.
Searching for missing kestrel
She flies free, but then disappears for four days and I grow increasingly worried. But finally she returns and Apollo seems so relieved to see her. Each year kestrels Apollo & Athena fight jackdaws to secure their favourite nest site, Ash Hollow, but now a grey squirrel takes the battle to a new level.
