We have two kestrel eggs!

21^st May 2020 We have two new kestrel eggs!

Westfield’s kestrels are back and laying, two eggs to date.

Westfield have had a kestrel box for about 7 years now. It took some time once the box went up to get the kestrels to take to it. The first time, crows drove out the pair. We feared we would lose them altogether, as they did not come back the following year. Then in May 2018 they came back.

They laid 5 eggs and fledged 3, which was wonderful to see – three young kestrels flying around with their parents.

In 2019, the grey squirrels moved in, so no kestrels.

In 2020, Mrs Hales took the decision to evict the squirrels, but as it turned out the squirrels had moved out. With the help of a sixth form student we cleaned the box, reset the camera and waited.

The on May 20^th we have the pair back and two eggs in the box.

Once the female has laid around 5 eggs, she will start to incubate them. This takes about 27-29 days. Four weeks from hatch, they will fledge.

Below is a photo of the eggs in the box.