Welcome all to our 2024 observations page #2. Here you will see updates of our American Kestrels as the season progresses.
MK. male Kestrel (aka Mr. Manitoba) FK. female Kestrel (aka Lady Winnipeg) H.M.K.T. Heavy Metal Kestrel Tree K-2 Kestrel nest box JFK. junior female Kestrel JMK. junior male Kestrel KP Tree poles we have installed, there are 4, click here to view.
Your will see a reference to the wheel house click here to view and also door branch click here to view.
April 24/24 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. Well the 40 day for first egg laying has been broken, today is day 41. Will there be eggs this year ?? 5:43am FK awake preening then back to sleep. 5:51am FK awake and out on door branch. 6:03am FK gone from area. 6:19am MK and FK on H.M.K.T. FK peeping. 6:25am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box calling, FK on H.M.K.T. peeping. 6:27am MK out and copulation occurs, then both sit on H.M.K.T. 6:37am MK gone. 6:39am FK gone, both not in research area. 6:55am FK on nearby tree peeping. 7:05am MK in K-2 nest box then on K-2 tree, FK still on nearby tree. 7:11am until 7:30am both now on nearby tree, FK constant peeping. 7:53am MK gone from area, at 8:19am FK still on nearby tree. 8:59am both gone from area. 9:05am FK in K-2 nest box scrapping then out on nearby tree. 10:12am FK in K-2 nest box then out on KP#2. 10:16am FK on nearby tree. 10:25am FK came from ground onto nearby tree and eating vole. 10:45am FK on door branch. 11:02am FK in K-2 nest box scrapping then out on KP#2. 11:19am FK in and out of K-2 nest box then gone from area. 11:53am FK in and out H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch then on wheel house. 12:30pm FK bug hunting on KP poles. 12:55pm FK gone from area. MK on evergreen. 12:59pm until 1:03pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box with frog, out on door branch. MK lands on H.M.K.T., FK back in H.M.K.T. nest box eating frog. FK back out on door brand with frog, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box. FK stores frog in grass by H.M.K.T. and flies away. MK out of H.M.K.T. nest box on door branch. 1:08pm both gone from area. 1:32pm FK lands on KP#4 with frog, picking at it then at 1:48pm stores frog in grass by KP#4 and back on KP#4. 2:35pm both gone from area. 2:53pm FK on wheel house. 2:56pm FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch peeping. MK arrives and in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping, cleaning talons and picking shavings. 3:08pm FK on wheel house. MK in door then out on door branch. 3:15pm MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch. FK still on wheel house. 3:18pm FK flies away. MK still on H.M.K.T., chirping. 3:24pm MK flies away. 3:53pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box then out on door branch. FK on nearby tree. 3:57pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK flies away. FK out on door branch. 4:01pm FK on wheel house then on nearby tree. 4:45pm both gone from area. 6:45pm until 7:25pm FK on H.M.K.T. 7:25pm until 7:55pm FK on nearby tree. 8:10pm FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch then on nearby tree with MK. 8:31pm both still on nearby tree, FK eating. 8:40pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box preening, MK still on nearby tree. 8:47pm MK gone from area, FK asleep.
April 25/24 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:43am FK in door. 5:44am FK on door branch. 6:06am FK on nearby tree. 6:08am MK arrives and copulation occurs, then both sit on nearby tree. 6:35am MK gone, FK still on nearby tree. 6:59am FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box then on door branch preening, MK on nearby tree. 7:08am FK flies away, MK in and out H.M.K.T. nest box then on door branch. 7:38am FK on nearby tree MK still on door branch. 7:39am FK in H.M.K.T/. nest box, MK on door branch they are chatting up a storm. 7:40am FK in door, MK same, still both chatting. 7:42am MK gone FK on nearby tgree. 7:51am both not in research area. 8:01am FK on nearby tree. 8:26 both out of research area. 8:50am FK on nearby hydro wire then gone. 10:27am FK on H.M.K.T. 10:37 FK on wheel house until 11:05am. 11:06am FK gone from research area. 11:55am until 6:05pm today has been very windy with strong gusts. FK was back and forth between the H.M.K.T., wheel house, nearby tree, KP #2 and for periods of time gone from the area. MK didn't spend time in the research area. 6:29pm FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box and gone. 7:10pm FK in and out of K-2 nest box, in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box twice and on door branch then on KP#4, gets a bug and eating on KP#2. 7:17pm FK eating a frog on KP#2 then sits on nearby tree and gone from area. MK still gone from research area. 7:42pm until 8:22pm FK on wheel house. 8:22pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box preening. MK still gone from research area. 8:46pm FK out on door branch. MK lands with bird, FK gets bird and in H.M.K.T. eating. MK still on door branch. 8:49pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box with FK. FK bowing and lots of greeting chatter. FK cleans vole leftover from MKs beak. FK peeping constantly. 8:52pm MK out on door branch. 8:54pm MK back in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK peeps a few times. 8:59pm FK lowers her posture and stops peeping. 9:32pm MK asleep, FK asleep.
April 26/24 FK and MK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:50am MK in door, FK awake. 5:54am MK on door branch, FK in door peeping. 6:07am MK on KP#3, FK on door branch. 6:22am both gone from area. 6:31am MK in K-2 nest box and out and gone. 6:31am MK in K-2 nest box then in door and gone. 6:44am MK in K-2 nest box again 6:46am MK in door then out on K-2 tree with FK. 6:54am FK in K-2 neat box then on K-2 tree peeping constantly. 6:58am MK and FK on K-2 tree. 7:20am FK on KP#2, MK gone. 7:25am FK on nearby tree. 8:05am both gone from research area. 8:08am FK on H.M.K.T. 8:36am MK on nearby hydro wire FK in H.M.K.T. nest box eating. 8:38am FK out and on door branch MK gone. 9:12am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box calling, FK in with MK, Mk out on door branch FK picking shavings then sits in nest bowl. 9:19 FK in H.M.K.T. nest bowl resting, eyes closed. MK gone from door branch. 10:46am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box then out on door branch. 10:55am both gone from area. 11:38am until 12:21pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box then out on door branch. 12:26pm FK gone from area. 12:35pm MK in and out H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch then flies away. 1:07pm FK on ground in KP area then perched near H.M.K.T. 1:42pm until 2:16pm FK on nearby tree. 2:19pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box. FK gone. 2:20pm until 2:35 MK out on door branch, FK lands on H.M.K.T. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, out and copulation occurs. FK in and out of H.M.K.T. Both on H.M.K.T. 2:35pm FK flies away, at 3:27pm MK still on H.M.K.T. 3:57pm until 4:36pm MK gone from area, FK on nearby tree. 4:40pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK still on nearby tree. 5:00pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK still on H.M.K.T. 5:03pm FK out on door branch and back in, then asleep. 5:29pm until 5:50pm FK awake, in door then out on door branch. MK gone from area. 5:50pm FK flies away and gone from area. 6:30pm until 7:10pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK on nearby tree. 7:13pm MK gone from area. FK still on nearby tree. 7:32pm MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on H.M.K.T. 7:33pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, preening and picking shavings. 7:47pm FK out on door branch, MK still on H.M.K.T. 7:49pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, picking shavings. 7:51pm MK out and copulates on door branch. MK on H.M.K.T., FK on door branch, peeping. 7:53pm MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box. 7:56pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, then FK in. Lots of chatter and peeping. 7:58pm until 8:14pm both asleep. 8:14pm both awake chatter, preening. 8:18pm MK cuddles next to FK then both asleep.
April 27/24 FK and MK stayted the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, then at 2:30am MK was gone from nest box. Sometimes between 1:00am and 2:30am MK left the nest box. 6:00am FK awake and in door. 6:07am FK out on door branch. 6:24am FK now on wheel house until 7:02am. 7:03am FK on nearby tree. 7:13am FK gone from nearby tree. 7:39am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box for a nap. 7:48am FK on 2024 favorite hunting tree MK still sleeping. 8:26am MK out of H.M.K.T. nest box and on 2024 favorite hunting tree with FK. 9:05am both gone from area. 9:08am FK on H.M.K.T. 9:13am MK delivers bird to FK on H.M.K.T. and then sits on KP#2. 9:19am FK still eating bird, MK flies away. 9:40am until 11:45am both gone from area. 12:04pm MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box and gone, then FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box and gone. 1:31pm until 2:34pm both gone from area. 3:08pm FK on KP#3 then flies away. 3:20pm FK on H.M.K.T. roof eating a frog, then sits on H.M.K.T. 3:34pm FK gone from area. 4:28pm MK on door branch with a bird, then gone from area. 5:29pm FK on hydro wire. 6:10pm until 6:33pm FK on 2024 favorite hunting tree. 6:49pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, out on door branch, then in and out of K-2 nest box and gone from area. FK on KP#1, in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch then gone from area. 7:17pm MK on H.M.K.T., in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box then on door branch. 7:32pm both on K-2 tree. 7:44pm MK on H.M.K.T. then gone from area. 7:54pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box. MK on nearby tree then gone from area. 7:59pm FK out on door branch then gone from area. 8:39pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, then asleep.
April 28/24 FK stayted the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, 5:38am FK awake and preening. 5:47am FK back to sleep. 5:56am FK out and on nearby tree. 6:01am MK arrives and sits with FK on nearby tree. 6:17am MK on door branch and FK still on tree. 6:30am FK in and out K-2 nest box then on KP#3, MK on door branch. 6:44am MK flies to FK on KP#3 copulation occurs, then both sit. 7:04am MK in K-2 nest box then on K-2 tree, FK still on KP#3. 7:11am FK in and out K-2 nest box then both gone from research area until 8:16am. 8:17am MK on H.M.K.T. 8:22am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box with food eating, then on door branch. 8:25am both fly away, FK on KP#3, MK on nearby hydro wire. 8:31am both gone from area. 8:50am both gone until 9:57am. 9:58am MK brings food to door branch FK takes it and both gone. 10:29am MK and FK on nearby tree. 11:05am until 12:18pm both still not in area. 1:10pm FK on hydro wire. MK briefly on KP#3. 1:40pm MK in K-2 nest box then out. 1:44pm FK in K-2 nest box, then out. 1:49pm both on nearby tree. 2:18pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, out on door branch then on H.M.K.T., FK still on nearby tree. 2:40pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, scrapping and picking shavings, then out on H.M.K.T., FK on KP#2. 2:50pm FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch then on wheel house. MK gone from area. 2:55pm MK delivers a dragonfly to FK on H.M.K.T., MK in H.M.K.T. nest box and out on KP#2. FK on wheel house and MK arrives, copulation occurs. 3:00pm FK still on wheel house, MK gone from area. 3:15pm both gone from area. 4:45pm FK on hydro wire then on nearby tree. 5:38pm until 6:00pm FK still on nearby tree. 6:45pm both gone from area. 7:24pm FK on nearby tree. 7:45pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK on nearby tree eating. 8:00pm MK still on H.M.K.T., FK in H.M.K.T. nest box asleep. 8:04pm FK out on door branch and copulation occurs. 8:06pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, out on H.M.K.T. with FK then on nearby tree. FK then on nearby tree. 8:15pm MK in and out of K-2 nest box and on K-2 tree. FK still on nearby tree. 8:31pm MK gone from area, FK still on nearby tree. 8:46pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box and then asleep.
April 29/24 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:59am FK awake, preening, picking shavings. 6:05am FK in door. 6:11am FK out and to KP#2 and sits with MK. 6:24am copulation occurs on KP#2 then both sit. 6:39am MK on H.M.K.T. FK still on KP#2 until 7:16am. 7:17am both gone from research area. 7:42am MK on KP#2 with bird, FK gets bird and eating on nearby tree. 7:55am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box sitting in nest bowl. 8:00am FK out on door branch, MK still on KP#2. 8:02am MK flies off KP#2 and copulates on door branch then sits on H.M.K.T., FK back in H.M.K.T. nest box picking at shavings then out again on door branch. 8:04am until 8:08am FK back in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK flies off H.M.K.T. and gone from area, FK out on door branch then flies to nearby tree. 8:39am FK still on nearby tree. 9:20am FK and MK on nearby tree. 10:36am MK gone from area, FK still on nearby tree. 10:50am until 11:06am FK in K-2 nest box preening then out on hydro wire. 11:06am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box. 11:08am FK out on door branch, MK arrives and copulation occurs then MK on H.M.K.T. 11:12am MK in and out of K-2 nest box, on K-2 tree. 11:20am until 11:52am MK gone from area. FK on wheel house. 11:52am until 12:33pm FK flies to nearby tree. 1:20pm both gone from area. 1:52pm until 2:45pm FK on nearby tree. 3:08pm until 4:10pm both gone from area. 4:45pm until 5:13pm FK on hydro wire. 5:17pm both gone from area. 5:46pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, out on H.M.K.T. 6:02pm MK gone from area. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box picking shavings, out on door branch then flies to nearby tree. 6:36pm until 7:25pm MK still out of area. FK still on nearby tree. 7:26pm MK in K-2 nest box, out on K-2 tree then on nearby tree with FK. 7:49pm both still on nearby tree. 7:54pm MK in K-2 nest box and out on K-2 tree. FK still on nearby tree. 8:08pm FK in and out of K-2 nest box and gone from area. MK gone from area. 8:18pm FK on nearby tree eating a vole. 8:33pm both gone from area. 8:52pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box preening then asleep.
April 30/24 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:35am FK awake, then back to sleep. 5:53am FK awake and preening. 5:54am FK in door. 6:02am FK on door branch, then at 6:06am FK on wheel house. 6:07am FK on nearby hydro wire. 6:23am MK arrives on hydro wire copulation occurs, the both sit. 6:40am MK in K-2 nest box then back on wire with FK at 6:41am. 6:50am MK on KP#2 FK still on wire. 6:54am FK in K-2 nest box preening scraping and picking at shavings, then both gone from research area. 7:06am MK on door branch, FK on nearby tree. 7:21am both on nearby tree. 7:33am MK in and out of K-2 box, on K-2 tree then gone from area. FK still on nearby tree. 8:07am until 10:24am MK still gone, FK still on nearby tree. 11:05am FK lands on nearby tree with food and eating. 11:10am MK still gone, FK still on nearby tree. 11:36am until 11:56am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping, picking shavings and naps. MK awake and more scrapping and picking shavings. 11:56am MK out on door branch chirping. FK still on nearby tree. 12:06pm MK flies to nearby tree and sits beside FK. 12:18pm MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box and gone from area. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, out on door branch then on wheel house and still there at 1:00pm. 1:12pm FK scuffles with a bird in K-2 nest box, the bird gets out and FK sits in K-2 nest box then preens. 1:23pm FK still in K-2 nest box picking shavings. 1:24pm FK out on KP#3 and still there at 1:57pm. 2:22pm until 6:53pm MK and FK out of research area. 6:54pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box MK on H.M.K.T. 7:01pm FK out on door branch, MK still on H.M.K.T. 7:36pm to 8:22pm both gone from research area. 8:23pm FK on nearby hydro wire. 8:47pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, then to sleep.
May 1/24 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. This is 48 days since both have arrived and still no eggs. We have a hypothesis on what is causing the egg delay or no eggs this year. Observations show FK and MK are eating frogs and small birds this year, more than all other years combined. Which to us means a shortage of voles and mice. FK must feel there is not adequate food to sustain a family. Food availability will limit capacity for FK to produce eggs. Only time will tell. 5:49am FK awake and preening. 6:012am FK back to sleep. 6:03am FK in door. 6:06am FK on nearby hydro wire. 6:19am FK and MK on nearby hydro wire. 6:32am FK gone, MK still on hydro wire. 6:55am MK and FK now not in research area. Unfortunately the above observations will be the last unless something of significance changes. FK and MK are spending more time away from the research area, fewer copulations and protection of research area has diminished as the days go by. They spend time together as a bonding ritual. FK also enjoys sleeping in the H.M.K.T. nest box. We will keep watching
May 4/24 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:32am FK awake. 6:03aqm FK in door. 6:06 FK out and both on nearby tree. 6:34am MK on nearby tree, FK gone from research area. 6:45am both gone. 8:00am FK on nearby tree. 11:05am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box 12:10pm FK lays her first egg. Today is day 51 since they both arrived. 12:15pm FK still in H.M.K.T. nest box MK on KP#2 with food then on nearby evergreen and stores food in tall grass under KP#4. 12:17pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box with FK and egg #1. then MK out on H.M.K.T. 12:35pm MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box FK and MK on H.M.K.T copulation occurs. 12:39pm MK in on egg #1 FK on wheel house. 12:51pm MK out on H.M.K.T. with FK, then FK in on egg#1. 1:00pm MK gone, FK still on egg #1. 1:40pm MK on H.M.K.T. with food. FK out, gets food from MK and gone. MK in on egg #1. 1:51pm MK out, FK in on egg #1. 3:11pm FK out on door branch. 3:27pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK on nearby tree eating food. 3:56pm MK with FK on nearby tree. 4:10pm until 6:00pm FK in sitting on and standing over egg #1. MK gone from area. 6:00pm FK out on wheel house. MK on H.M.K.T. with bird, eats head and stores in tall grass. 6:07pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box looking at egg and out on door branch. FK still on wheel house. MK chases Magpie away, back on H.M.K.T. then copulates on wheel house. 6:10pm FK in on egg #1. MK still on H.M.K.T. 6:26pm MK gone from area. 7:43pm FK sits in door then at 7:49pm out on H.M.K.T. 8:17pm FK on nearby tree eating food. MK on H.M.K.T. 8:25pm until 8:30pm MK on nearby tree with FK, gone and delivers bird to FK then sits on H.M.K.T. 8:34pm MK gone from area. FK on KP#4. 8:57pm FK in on egg #1, then asleep.
May 5/24 FK and egg #1 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:43am FK awake then on egg #1. 5:50am FK in door. 5:52am FK gone and MK on H.M.K.T. guarding egg. 6:02am both gone from area. 7:11am FK back on egg #1. 7:30am FK out and gets food from MK, eating on nearby tree. MK in with egg briefly and out on door branch then gone from area. 9:50am FK on egg, MK gone from area. 10:25am FK out on nearby tree eating food, MK on H.M.K.T. 10:37am FK back on egg, MK still on H.M.K.T. 10:46am MK gone from area. 11:45am FK in door then on door branch. 12:17pm FK back in on egg. 1:21pm FK out on wheel house. 1:23pm until 2:07pm FK and MK gone from area. 2:41pm MK on door branch then on wire by H.M.K.T. 2:45pm MK on H.M.K.T. and looks in at egg, FK gone from area. 2:56pm FK on wheel house, MK on H.M.K.T. 3:04pm MK attacking Red Squirrel on nearby tree. 3:12pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK gone from area. 3:32pm until 4:28pm MK and FK on nearby tree. 4:39pm FK and MK gone from area. 4:46pm FK on hydro wire. 4:51pm FK crusing the sky over research area then on wheel house with bird. 4:54pm FK gone from wheel house and at 4:59pm sitting on nearby tree. 5:02pm FK attacks Grackle under H.M.K.T. then sitting on nearby tree until 5:51pm. 5:52pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK gone from area. 5:55pm FK in on egg #1, MK flies from H.M.K.T. to nearby tree. 6:07pm MK flies off nearby tree and gone from area. 6:52pm FK out on door branch then on nearby tree with MK. 7:25pm both gone from area. 7:40pm until 8:14pm FK on nearby tree. 8:38pm MK on H.M.K.T. with bird, gives bird to FK on nearby tree and sits with FK. 8:52pm MK flies off nearby tree and gone from area. 8:57pm FK on door branch and at 9:03pm goes in H.M.K.T. nest box with egg. 9:04pm FK settles in on egg #1 then asleep.
May 6/24 FK and egg #1 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:28am FK awake then back to sleep several times. 5:58am FK in door then on door branch, the to 2024 favorite hunting tree until 6:37am. 6:41am FK gone from research area. 7:01am MK looks in on egg #1 then on door branch and gone from area. 7:06am FK on nearby tree. 7:27am MK on H.M.K.T. with bird calling for FK. FK ignores calls and continues to sit on nearby tree. MK stores bird in tall grass under KP#3 and sits on hydro wire. 7:32am MK in briefly on egg #1, out on H.M.K.T. then on nearby tree with FK. 7:48am MK on H.M.K.T., FK still on nearby tree. 8:00am MK back to FK on nearby tree. 8:15am FK in looking at egg #1 and back to MK on nearby tree. 8:27am until 8:57am FK still on nearby tree, MK gone from area. 9:46am both gone from area. 10:43am FK in standing over egg #1. 11:17am FK in door then out on door branch. 11:30am FK on nearby tree, MK still gone from area. 11:47am MK on H.M.K.T. with bird calling FK, delivers bird to FK on nearby tree then back on H.M.K.T. 12:01pm MK in on egg briefly then out on door branch. FK still eating on nearby tree. 12:04pm MK on KP#2 then with FK on nearby tree. 12:56pm FK in on egg #1. 1:21pm FK out on door branch then flies to nearby tree. 1:50pm MK in with egg, FK in and chatters. MK out on door branch then gone from area. 1:52pm FK on egg #1. 2:54pm FK out on door branch, MK on H.M.K.T. 3:00pm FK in, MK gone from area. 3:18pm FK lays egg #2. Thank you to our loyal USA viewer, Laurie, for confirming the second egg laying time. 4:34pm FK up off 2 eggs and back on. 5:05pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK still on eggs. 5:12pm FK out on H.M.K.T. with MK then flies to nearby tree. 5:13pm MK in on 2 eggs. 5:23pm MK out on H.M.K.T. then flies away. 5:28pm MK on nearby tree, attacks crow then back on nearby tree with FK. 5:43pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK still on nearby tree. 5:52pm FK eating food on nearby tree, MK on KP#3. 6:41pm until 7:24pm FK on nearby tree, MK gone from area. 7:41pm FK in on 2 eggs. 7:57pm MK on H.M.K.T. with food. FK out on wheel house and flies to nearby tree. MK flies to FK on nearby tree with food, FK doesn’t take it then MK on KP#1 eating. 8:33pm FK still on nearby tree, MK beside FK. 9:07pm FK in on 2 eggs then asleep. MK gone from area.
May 7/24 FK and egg #1, #2 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:58am FK out on door branch. 6:00am MK arrives and copulation occurs on door branch, then MK on H.M.K.T. and FK on wheel house. 6:13am both gone from research area. 6:26am until 6:54am FK on wheel house. 6:55am FK gone from area. 7:14am FK on KP#4, MK on KP#2. 7:16am FK in on 2 eggs. 7:30am MK gone from area. 8:12am until 9:10am FK out on nearby tree with MK. 9:55am FK on KP#1, MK out of area. 10:19am until 11:29am both not in research area. 11:30am FK back on 2 eggs. MK out of area. 12:12pm until 1:05pm MK on H.M.K.T. with bird, FK out and takes bird to nearby tree to eat. 1:19pm FK in on 2 eggs, MK on nearby tree. 1:57pm FK still in with eggs, MK on H.M.K.T. 2:42pm FK still on eggs, MK on perch in research area, gets stored food and eating on KP#1. 2:52pm FK out of nest box and MK in on eggs. 3:07am MK out of nest box and on nearby tree. 4:07pm FK on H.M.K.T. MK out of area. 4:33pm FK back on 2 eggs. 4:45pm FK out on KP#1 then back on H.M.K.T. 4:53pm MK delivers food to FK and both on nearby tree. 5:41pm FK in on eggs. 6:36pm until 7:28pm FK out on nearby tree. 7:36pm MK delivers food to FK on nearby tree. 8:10pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK still on nearby tree. 8:19pm MK flies to FK and copulates on nearby tree then both sit. 8:46pm FK still on nearby tree. MK gone from area. 8:49pm FK in on 2 eggs then asleep.
May 8/24 FK and egg #1, #2 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:32am FK awake preening, egg roll then back to sleep. 5:49am FK in door. 5:51am FK on nearby tree, MK with bird on KP#3. 6:01am MK brings FK bird on nearby tree, FK eating while MK sits. 6:15am until 9:03am MK gone from area. FK still on nearby tree. 9:07am MK on H.M.K.T., FK gone from area. 9:20am MK still on H.M.K.T., FK back on nearby tree. 9:28am MK with FK on nearby tree. 9:45am MK gone from area. FK still on nearby tree until 10:22am. 10: 23 FK in on 2 eggs. 10:48am MK arrives on door branch, FK in door then out and on nearby tree, MK in on 2 eggs.10:54am MK on door branch the gone and sits with FK on nearby tree. 11:07am FK back on 2 eggs until 12:04pm MK on nearby tree. 12:06pm both gone from research area. 12:48pm until 2:57pm FK on door branch then in on 2 eggs. 2:58pm MK lands on H.M.K.T., FK in then out and gone from area. 3:05pm MK in on 2 eggs. 3:11pm MK out on door branch calling, FK on KP#2 then MK joins her on KP#2. 3:19pm FK back in on 2 eggs. 4:24pm MK on H.M.K.T. with bird. FK still in on eggs, chatters and MK flies away. 4:28pm FK lays egg #3. 4:29pm until 6:42pm FK on 3 eggs. 6:43pm FK stands up beside 3 eggs. 6:44pm until 6:49pm FK in door, out then gone from area. 6:50pm MK lands on H.M.K.T. with bird, chirping. 7:05pm FK on nearby tree eating. 7:08pm MK on nearby tree with FK. 7:24pm MK gone from area. FK in on 3 eggs.
May 9/24 FK and egg #1, #2, #3 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:29am FK awake preening and rolling 3 eggs then back to sleep. 5:59am FK in door. 6:07am FK gone. 6:19am until 6:35am FK arrives on nearby tree with bird and eating.
We have done some research about the vole population in our area. With the help of Dr. James Duncan (scientist) this is the resulting reasons why the vole population is in a major decline . The scientific literature documents that in patchy habitat areas with many generalist predators (fox, cats, coyotes owls etc.) voles do not vary much from year to year. Rather spring and fall weather have a greater effect on their numbers. Extended periods of wet cold (below freezing) weather with less than 10cm of insulative snow cover can wipe out or drive down local numbers. This verifies lack of vole population due to cold fall with no snow, lack of snow past winter and cold spring with lack of snow. So in closing the Kestrel will be counting on birds as their main diet this 2024 season. In conclusion, Kestrels in our research area will be depending on birds as their main diet with supplements such as frogs and assorted insects.
7:00am FK still on nearby tree. Between 7:58am and 12:58 FK in on 3 eggs. 12:59pm FK out on door branch. MK lands with bird, FK takes it and eating on nearby tree then MK gone from H.M.K.T. 1:18pm MK on door branch then in with 3 eggs. FK still on nearby tree. 1:49pm MK out on door branch then on nearby tree with FK. 1:56pm until 4:33pm FK in on 3 eggs. MK gone from area. 4:34pm FK in door, out on door branch then gone from area. 5:38pm until 6:24pm FK in on 3 eggs. 6:25pm FK still in on eggs, MK on nearby tree. 6:36pm FK out and gone from area. MK in and out of H.M.K.T. box then back in on 3 eggs. 6:46pm MK out on door branch calling then on nearby tree with FK. 6:56pm FK in on 3 eggs. MK still on nearby tree. 7:04pm MK gone from area. 7:53pm MK lands on H.M.K.T. with bird, FK out and on nearby tree. MK delivers bird to FK and FK eating. 8:13pm FK stores leftover bird and back on nearby tree. MK gone from area. 8:31pm FK in on 3 eggs then asleep.
May 10/24 FK and egg #1, #2, #3 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:42am FK awake picking shavings then back to sleep. 5:51am FK awake preening then repositions 3 eggs then back to sleep. 6:16am FK in door. 6:20am FK out and sits on nearby hydro wire. 6:41am FK and mk on wheel house copulation occurs, then both sit, FK on wheel house, MK on H.M.K.T. 6:48am both gone. 6:55am until 7:28am FK and MK on nearby tree. 7:35am FK in on 3 eggs, MK still on nearby tree. 8:00am FK on eggs, MK out of area. 10:34am until 12:14pm FK still on eggs. 12:15pm MK lands on H.M.K.T., FK in door then out and gone from area. Still 3 eggs. 12:18pm MK on KP#4. 12:25pm MK in on eggs. 12:53pm MK out and gone from area. FK in on 3 eggs. 3:02pm MK looks in at FK, chattering and MK leaves. 3:49pm FK lays egg #4. 3:50pm until 5:42pm FK still on 4 eggs, resting. 5:43pm FK out on door branch, MK lands with food. FK takes food and gone, MK on 4 eggs. 6:09pm FK lands on wheel house, MK out and gone from area. 6:11pm FK on 4 eggs, asleep. 8:29pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK on eggs. MK gone from area.
May 11/24 FK and egg #1, #2, #3, #4 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:37am FK awake, preening and off 4 eggs. 5:41am FK back on 4 eggs. Note: the nearby trees are getting more leaves as time progresses and it is getting very difficult to spot the K’s on them. 6:15am FK gone from nest box. 6:18am MK in on 4 eggs. 6:24am MK in door then on door branch, FK had flown by. Then MK gone and FK on nearby tree eating bird. 6:39am until 10:40am FK back on 4 eggs. 10:41am FK out on nearby tree. MK on H.M.K.T. then over to nearby tree with FK. 10:46am MK in on 4 eggs. 11:13am FK on H.M.K.T., MK stays on eggs then FK gone to nearby tree. 11:23am MK out and gone, FK in on 4 eggs. 11:34am Tree Swallow looks in box and gone. MK on H.M.K.T. and checks in with FK then gone. 1:22pm FK still in with 4 eggs. 2:11pm until 2:58pm FK in door twice for a few minutes and back in with eggs. 2:59pm FK out on wheel house, MK in on eggs then FK gone. 3:04pm MK out on door branch then back in on eggs. 3:13pm FK in, MK out and gone. FK on eggs. 3:25pm MK on KP #4 with bird. FK out, MK delivers bird to FK then FK gone and MK in with eggs. 3:36pm MK out on door branch and at 3:43pm back in on eggs. 3:58pm MK out on door branch, FK in on eggs and MK gone. 6:55pm FK still in with 4 eggs, lots of standing beside eggs this afternoon due to the heat. 6:56pm FK in door. MK on H.M.K.T. with bird then on KP #4 with bird. 7:01pm until 7:03pm FK out on hydro wire then on H.M.K.T., MK on wheel house with bird over to KP #2 then stores bird in grass and gone. FK still on H.M.K.T. and MK on KP #4. 7:13pm FK and MK gone from area. 7:16pm FK back in on 4 eggs. 8:25pm FK still in H.M.K.T. on 4 eggs asleep. MK gone from area. 8:51pm FK in door, out on wheel house then on hydro wire. 9:02pm FK back in on 4 eggs then asleep.
May 12/24 FK and egg #1, #2, #3, #4 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. Happy Mothers Day to FK. 6:12am FK awake and standing over 4 eggs. 6:15 FK back on 4 eggs. 6:50am FK in door and at 6:56am out on KP #2. 7:13am FK on hydro wire and at 7:23am on wheel house. 7:33am FK in on 4 eggs. 7:35am MK lands on KP #2. FK out and gone. 8:07am MK in on 4 eggs, out on door branch then gone. 8:13am FK on H.M.K.T. and in on 4 eggs. 8:50am FK out, MK in on 4 eggs, FK on wheel house then gone. 9:17am until 10:55am MK out and gone, FK in on eggs. 10:56am MK on KP #4 with food. FK in door, MK flies to nearby tree with bird, FK out and gone. 11:01am MK in, FK looks in door and chatters. MK out and gone, FK in on eggs. 11:37am MK in door, FK out and gone, MK in on eggs. 11:51am MK out and gone, FK in on eggs. 12:23pm FK still on eggs. MK on KP #4. 12:49pm FK out and gone, MK in on eggs. 1:03pm FK in with MK and chatters, MK out and gone, FK on 4 eggs. 2:10pm MK looks in, FK out on H.M.K.T., MK in on 4 eggs then FK gone. 2:30pm FK in with MK, MK out and gone. FK on 4 eggs. 3:51pm FK out on H.M.K.T., MK in on 4 eggs then FK gone. 4:11pm FK in with MK, MK out and on KP #4. FK on 4 eggs. 4:41pm FK out on nearby tree. MK in on 4 eggs chirping. 4:48pm FK in with MK, MK out and gone. FK on 4 eggs. 5:48pm FK lays egg #5. 6:27pm FK out and gone. MK on KP #4 then in on 5 eggs. 6:47pm FK in with MK, MK out and gone. FK on 5 eggs. 8:27pm FK still in on 5 eggs. MK gone from area.
May 13/24 FK and egg #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. Will there be an egg #6 ?? 5:14am FK awake on 5 eggs, thenm back to sleep. 5:26am FK awake again rolling 5 eggs, then back to sleep. 5:38am FK awake. 5:54am FK in door and gone to nearby hydro wire with MK. 5:55am MK in on 5 eggs having a nap. 6:12am FK on H.M.K.T. MK on 5 eggs. 6:16am MK in door FK on H.M.K.T. 6:14am both gone, they were scared off by a low flying helicopter. 6:19am FK back on 5 eggs, MK on nearby tree. 6:30am FK still on 5 eggs, MK gone. 7:16am FK out, MK on H.M.K.T. with food, FK takes it and MK in on 5 eggs. 7:29am MK in door, out on door branch then gone. 7:31am FK in on 5 eggs. 11:30am FK on 5 eggs. 12:10pm MK on H.M.K.T. with food. FK out and gone, MK follows her. 12:14pm until 2:02pm FK in on eggs. 2:03pm FK out and gone. 2:10pm MK on H.M.K.T. and in on 5 eggs. 2:51pm MK out and gone, FK in on 5 eggs. 4:28pm FK out on H.M.K.T., MK arrives with food and both gone, then MK back in on 5 eggs. 4:42pm FK in with MK, MK out and gone, FK on 5 eggs. 5:10pm MK looks in box, FK out and gone then MK gone. 5:13pm FK in on 5 eggs. 6:32pm FK out and gone then at 6:43pm back in on 5 eggs. 8:24pm FK in door, MK arrives with food and both gone. 8:32pm FK in on 5 eggs then asleep. MK gone from area.
May 14/24 FK and egg #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:50am FK awake preening and rolling 5 eggs. 6:06am FK out of nest box and on nearby hydro wire. 6:17am FK gone from hydro wire. 6:19am FK back on hydro wire. 6:20am MK on KP#3 with food, FK takes food and gone. 6:23am MK flies and sits on nearby tree. 6:25am MK on H.M.K.T. 6:29am FK back on 5 eggs, MK gone from research area. 7:35am MK on H.M.K.T., FK out and gone. MK in on 5 eggs. 7:38am MK out on KP #2 then gone. 7:40am FK in on eggs. 8:12am FK out and at 8:25am back on 5 eggs. 8:47am FK still on eggs. 10:10am until 10:45am FK on eggs. 10:47am MK in on eggs. 11:06am FK in with MK, MK out and gone. FK on eggs. 11:38am MK on H.M.K.T., FK still on eggs. 12:41pm MK in with FK, FK out and gone. MK on 5 eggs. 1:25pm FK in with MK, MK out and gone. FK on 5 eggs. 3:26pm FK still on eggs. 3:27pm FK out and gone. MK on 5 eggs. 3:58pm MK out and gone. FK on 5 eggs. 4:38pm FK out and gone. MK in on 5 eggs. 5:42pm FK in with MK, MK out and gone. FK on 5 eggs. 9:15pm FK still on eggs asleep.
May 15/24 FK and egg #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. FK is awake and rolling 5 eggs all night long. Around 6:08am MK in on 5 eggs and FK on nearby hydro wire until 6:28am. 6:29am FK gone from hydro wire, MK still on 5 eggs.