Welcome all to our 2025 observations page #3. Here you will see updates of our American Kestrels as the season progresses.
Scroll down to see the latest. Here are abbreviations we use. All times CST and CDT.
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.
June 17/25 3 banded nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK, FK and 1 JMK slept elsewhere. 5:03am K on H.M.K.T. then at 5:04am FK and MK on nearby hydro wire. 5:18am FK on H.M.K.T., MK still on hydro wire. 5:25am FK drops vole off then on H.M.K.T. 5:33am FK food drop off then on wheel house. 5:52am JFK in door then flapping, FK on wheel house. 6:02am FK in and out of K-2 nest box. 6:06am We are in the filming blind. 6:11am FK drops food off. 7:44am MK flies by H.M.K.T. then on nearby tree. 7:55am 1 JFK fledges. 8:30am JMK and JFK have been in and out of door, FK and MK flying around and brief landings on H.M.K.T. 9:08am MK delivers insect then on H.M.K.T. 9:15am FK drops vole off, MK flies away then FK gone. 9:46am K dives at Grey Squirrel near H.M.K.T., then briefly on H.M.K.T. and gone. 10:15am We are no longer in the blind. 10:50am FK on H.M.K.T. 11:04am FK on door branch, MK looks in and FK gone then MK on door branch. 11:36am FK in with vole, out with leftovers and stores in nearby evergreen. 12:05pm MK in with insect, out on door branch. 1:25pm FK in with vole, feeding time. 2:02pm FK in with vole, feeding time then out with leftovers. 2:08pm MK drops vole off then on door branch. 2:20pm FK and MK on H.M.K.T. 2:26pm MK in, picks up vole and tries to give it to JFK and JMK but they’re not interested. MK out with vole and gives it to FK, then FK gone. 3:49pm FK drops vole off. 5:42pm FK drops vole off then on wheel house. MK looks in then on door branch. 7:34pm FK in with vole eating and nestlings watch, they’re not interested. FK out with vole. 8:16pm FK delivers vole to JMK in door, JMK in eating vole with JFK. 9:50pm JMK and JFK settle in for the night.
June 18/25 2 banded nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK, FK, 1 JMK and 1 JFK slept elsewhere. 4:57am MK on nearby hydro wire. 5:13am FK on H.M.K.T. 5:25am FK on nearby hydro wire. 5:36am MK on H.M.K.T. 5:58am FK on H.M.K.T. 6:00am We’re in the filming blind. 6:35am K gets stored food from nearby evergreen and flies to another nearby tree. 6:40am K chases Grackle. 6:41am K gets stored food from nearby evergreen and flies to another nearby tree. 6:58am FK with vole at door, no drop off. 7:24am K on wheel house. 7:47am K with vole on H.M.K.T. and gone. 7:51am FK in door and drops vole off. 9:12am second JMK fledges. 9:36am second JFK fledges. 11:15am We are no longer in the blind. 11:27am FK in empty H.M.K.T. box with vole, eating. MK on H.M.K.T. then FK out with vole. 11:52am MK in empty H.M.K.T. nest box looking around then out on door branch. 1:06pm FK gets stored vole in nearby evergreen and flies to nearby tree. 2:56pm MK looks in H.M.K.T. twice. 4:46pm K on H.M.K.T. with vole then gone. MK arrives looks in twice. 5:25pm FK on H.M.K.T.
June 19/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. We will also be in the blind. 5:22am FK on nearby hydro wire. 6:06am MK on H.M.K.T. until 6:33am and looks in H.M.K.T. nest box then on nearby tree. 7:01am Kestrels flying around KP pole area and nearby tree. During the morning FK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box twice and MK looks in once. Then in the afternoon FK looks in twice and sits on a nearby tree.
June 20/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. We will also be in the blind. In previous years we have witnessed the JK’s return to the research area after 2 to 4 days, sometimes we have not seen JK’s after they have fledged. Yesterday morning they we in a 60 to 70 foot tree, could here them calling. 5:02am FK on nearby hydro wire. 5:51am FK on H.M.K.T. with vole then on wheel house. 6:13am K on nearby hydro wire. 6:45am JMK and JFK on nearby tree preening and stretching. 7:25am MK chases birds off of nearby tree where JKs are perched. 4:10pm FK on H.M.K.T. then on perch in research area. Throughout the day adult kestrels were on H.M.K.T. and flying around nearby tree. 7:22pm JMK on the same nearby tree branch as this morning and there again at 8:15pm. 8:39pm Two JMKs together on nearby tree.
June 21/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. We will also be in the blind. In previous years we have witnessed the JK’s return to the research area after 2 to 4 days, sometimes we have not seen JK’s after they have fledged. 4:57am FK on nearby hydro wire until 5:30am. 5:32am FK on H.M.K.T. 6:12am FK on nearby hydro wire. 6:27am FK on H.M.K.T. 7:18am JFK on nearby tree and FK on H.M.K.T. 7:37am JFK and JMK together on nearby tree. 7:46am FK delivers vole to JMK and JFK on nearby tree. 10:14am MK on door branch. 3:08pm FK on H.M.K.T. 3:25pm FK on H.M.K.T. with vole then stores vole in nearby evergreen. 6:03pm FK on H.M.K.T. then MK also on H.M.K.T. 6:27pm FK on nearby hydro wire.
June 22/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. We will also be in the blind. In previous years we have witnessed the JK’s return to the research area after 2 to 4 days, sometimes we have not seen JK’s after they have fledged. 4:57am FK on nearby hydro wire and JFK on another hydro wire. 5:08am A female kestrel on hydro wire flies to nearby tree, not sure if it was FK or JFK. 5:29am FK on nearby hydro wire. 5:39am FK on H.M.K.T. 6:54am FK on H.M.K.T. 6:59am MK on nearby tree. 10:10am JFK flying around nearby tree and lands on it then sits there for over an hour. 11:25am FK on H.M.K.T. 2:30pm FK on H.M.K.T. Kestrels have not been active this afternoon and evening due to thunderstorm and rainshowers.
June 23/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 5:30am FK on KP #2. 5:38am male kestrel on nearby tree, not sure if it was MK or JMK. 5:41am MK on H.M.K.T. 5:47am JFK on nearby tree. 5:53am to 6:05am FK back and forth on H.M.K.T. three times. 6:48am MK on H.M.K.T. 9:49am FK on H.M.K.T. 10:13am MK lands on nearby tree with food, FK flies from H.M.K.T. to MK and takes food. 10:47am MK on H.M.K.T. 10:50am FK on KP #4 then at 10:53am on H.M.K.T. 11:13am FK in and out of K-2 nest box. 11:32am JFK on H.M.K.T. 11:42am MK on wheel house, FK on KP #4 with vole. 12:16pm MK and FK on H.M.K.T. 4:25pm FK and JMK on nearby tree, FK gives JMK food and JMK still there at 4:50pm. 6:41pm female kestrel on H.M.K.T., not sure if it was FK or JFK.
June 24/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. We know the JK’s are in a nearby tree but due to leaves it is very difficult to spot them. 5:03am FK on nearby hydro wire. 5:51am JMK on nearby tree. 7:08am 2 JMKs on nearby tree. 7:25am FK on H.M.K.T., on camera cable pole then on nearby tree. 7:32am MK on nearby tree. 7:34am JFK on nearby tree then on the ground bug hunting. 8:51am FK on H.M.K.T. 9:00am JFK on H.M.K.T. box roof. 11:13am FK on H.M.K.T.
June 25/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. We know the JK’s are in a nearby tree but due to leaves it is very difficult to spot them. 4:39am FK on nearby hydro wire. 6:52am adult kestrel chases birds from KP pole area then on nearby tree. 7:22am JFK on H.M.K.T. box roof. 2 JMKs on nearby tree then on the ground bug hunting. 7:26am 2 JMKs and 1 JFK on the ground bug hunting. 1:25pm MK chases bird off KP pole. 3:11pm JFK on nearby fence post. 3:15pm JFK and JFK together on nearby tree. 3:23pm JFK and JMK on ground bug hunting. 3:37pm JFK still on nearby tree and JMK flies to another nearby tree. 4:58pm JMK and JFK together on nearby tree.
June 26/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. We know the JK’s are in a nearby tree but due to leaves it is very difficult to spot them. 4:59am FK on nearby hydro wire then to H.M.K.T. until 5:42am. 5:47am until 6:11am FK back and forth on H.M.K.T. three times. 6:33am All four JKs (2 JMK, 2 JFK) together on the ground bug hunting and running around. 7:00am JMK and JFK on nearby tree and on the ground. 7:03am JFK on wheel house, FK looks in K-2 nest box. 7:07am JFK on H.M.K.T. roof, MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box. 7:20am JFK on wheel house. 8:28am FK on H.M.K.T. then gone. 10:55am FK on H.M.K.T. 11:05am 2 JMKs and JFK together on nearby tree. 5:45pm JMK and JFK together on nearby tree. 6:29pm JMK and JFK together on fence post. 6:49pm JMK and JFK together on nearby tree. 8:04pm JMK on fence post. 8:48pm JMK on nearby tree.
June 27/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 5:14am FK on H.M.K.T. until 5:48am. 6:30am until 9:00am We’re in the filming blind. All four JKs (2 JMK, 2JFK) together in trees, on house roof behind H.M.K.T., on the ground bug hunting and flying all around the research area. 11:37am FK on H.M.K.T. until 12:07pm. 1:25pm FK on H.M.K.T. 1:45pm JMK on nearby tree. Throughout the afternoon and evening FK was back and forth numerous times on H.M.K.T., hunting and guarding the area.
June 28/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s, 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 6:07am FK on H.M.K.T. 6:14am MK on H.M.K.T. and FK gone. 6:21am JMK on nearby tree. 6:23am FK looks in K-2 nest box, JMK on fence post. 6:37am FK on H.M.K.T. 6:45am JMK and JFK on fence posts. 6:57am 2 JMKs together on fence post. 7:36am 2 JMKs and 1 JFK on house roof. 9:50am FK on H.M.K.T. 10:05am FK still on H.M.K.T., JFK on fence post. 10:51am MK on H.M.K.T. Throughout the day FK was back and forth numerous times on H.M.K.T., hunting and guarding area. 5:48pm JMK on H.M.K.T. 5:56pm JFK on H.M.K.T. with JMK then JMK on KP #4. 7:30pm FK on H.M.K.T.
June 29/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 5:15am FK on nearby hydro wire. 5:19am FK on H.M.K.T. 6:26am JFK on H.M.K.T. 6:48am JFK and JMK on H.M.K.T. 6:52am 2 JFKs and JMK together on perch in research area. 6:58am JMK and JFK on house roof behind H.M.K.T. 7:00am We’re in the filming blind. Lots of kestrel activity in research area. All four JKs (2 JMK and 2 JFK) together on house roof. 2 JMKs together on various perches. JMK and JFK together on various perches. JMK on H.M.K.T., evergreen and KP #4. 2 JMKs together on the ground bug hunting. JFK on the ground bug hunting. JKs are flying all around the H.M.K.T. and back and forth in the research area. 9:45am We’re no longer in the blind. 9:54am FK on nearby hydro wire. 11:20am FK on H.M.K.T., on KP #4, KP #2 then at 11:38am back on H.M.K.T. 12:20 FK on H.M.K.T. 12:44pm FK on H.M.K.T. 1:40pm FK on H.M.K.T. 2:42pm JMK on perch in research research area, on the ground bug hunting and back up on the perch. 4:52pm JMK on H.M.K.T. 6:30pm JMK on H.M.K.T. 6:49pm MK on H.M.K.T. with vole calling then gone with vole
June 30/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 5:26am FK on H.M.K.T. 5:38am JMK and JFK on H.M.K.T. 5:44am We’re in the filming blind. 5:44am JMK on H.M.K.T. 5:48am JMK on evergreen, JFK on perch in research area. 5:50am JMK on KP #4 then on the ground bug hunting. 5:56am JFK on perch and 2 JMKs together on another perch. 6:00am 2 JMKs move to a different perch then on the ground together bug hunting. 6:05am JFK on ground near pine trees with a vole, 2 JMKs following her then flying all around. Lots of activity in research area, all four JKs (2 JMK and 2 JFK) flying around, two and sometimes three together on various perches, on KP #2, H.M.K.T. and on the ground. 7:50am FK gives bug to JFK on H.M.K.T. 9:00am We’re no longer in the blind. 3:07pm FK on H.M.K.T. 6:55pm FK on nearby hydro wire. 8:28pm FK on H.M.K.T.
July 1/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 4:05am set up in blind. 5:19am We’re in the filming blind. 5:41am 2 kestrels fly by and circle around behind H.M.K.T. then gone. 5:58am kestrel flies by, sits on top of a tree then gone. 6:01am kestrel briefly on perch in research area then flies far away. 7:45am kestrel chases birds off H.M.K.T. 7:48am kestrel dives at birds on house roof behind H.M.K.T. then gone. 9:00am We’re no longer in the blind. Throughout the day there have not been any kestrel sightings.
July 2/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. No Kestrel sightings today.
July 3/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 6:09am JMK on door branch. 6:19am JFK on H.M.K.T. 6:21am JFK on KP #4. 6:40am JFK on fence post and two JKs on the ground under nearby tree. Then all 4 JKs (2 JMK and 2 JFK) flying around together. 7:15am JMK on H.M.K.T.
July 4/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 5:54am FK on H.M.K.T. until 6:12am 6:28am FK on nearby hydro wire. 8:51am JMK on H.M.K.T. 8:58am JMK still on H.M.K.T. and an MK looks in H.M.K.T. 10:50am JMK eating bug on H.M.K.T. 10:55am JFK in research area on various perches, H.M.K.T., KP #4 and KP #3. 11:27am JFK on KP #3 and JMK on H.M.K.T. 6:38pm JFK on H.M.K.T.
July 5/25 No one stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK, MK, 2 JMK’s and 2 JFK’s slept elsewhere. We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 6:55am 2 kestrels flying around research area. 10:49am FK on H.M.K.T. 12:06pm male kestrel (we think a different male) looks in K-2 nest box, on KP #4, on K-2 nest box roof, on KP #1.
July 6/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 6:32am JFK on H.M.K.T. then chases JMK off KP #2. 6:33am JFK on KP #2 and JMK on top of nearby hydro pole. 9:17am MK on H.M.K.T. then flies to nearby tree. 10:15am FK on H.M.K.T. 11:45am 3 JKs flying and chasing in KP pole area. 12:01pm JFK on H.M.K.T. 6:15pm until 6:19pm male kestrel (we think a different male) looks in K-2 nest box, male looks in again and goes in and looks around then out and looks in H.M.K.T. nest box and gone.
July 7/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 5:53am MK on K-2 nest box roof then gone. 5:58am FK on H.M.K.T. 6:03am FK looks in K-2 nest box then on nearby tree. 6:05am MK on nearby hydro wire. 6:32am young male kestrel (not banded) on H.M.K.T. door branch, on roof of outside camera, on wheel house then on KP #2. 6:38am FK chases young male kestrel off KP #2. 7:05am FK in K-2 nest box twice then on nearby hydro wire. MK also on nearby hydro wire. 7:20am FK on KP #2. 7:27am FK in K-2 nest box, on KP #4, on H.M.K.T. then gone. 7:34am FK on H.M.K.T. 8:34pm FK on H.M.K.T.
July 8/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 5:34am 2 kestrels on H.M.K.T. then chasing each other. 5:42am MK on nearby hydro wire. 5:46am FK on nearby hydro wire. 6:04am JFK on H.M.K.T. nest box roof peeping. 6:08am FK on nearby hydro wire and JFK on another nearby hydro wire. 6:15am JFK on H.M.K.T. 6:23am FK on nearby hydro wire. 6:56am JMK on H.M.K.T. 7:08am JFK eating vole on top of nearby hydro pole. 7:13am JFK with vole leftovers on KP #2 then flies towards cover to store it. 7:45am MK on H.M.K.T. then flies down, FK on H.M.K.T. 8:49am JFK on bat box roof, dives at birds on the ground then on KP #2. 8:55am 2 kestrels flying around research area. 8:56am JFK on KP #2, FK on H.M.K.T. 9:00am JFK on H.M.K.T. 9:40am kestrel on H.M.K.T. 10:09am FK on H.M.K.T.
July 9/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. Today the Kestrel Kids ages are (3) 49 days old and (1) 48 days old. 3 weeks since all have fledged. 6:39am MK in K-2 nest box twice. 6:47am kestrel on H.M.K.T. door branch then gone from area. The 2025 live stream has now ended. Thank you to all who watched.
July 10/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 11:57am FK looks in K-2 nest box then on KP #2. MK on KP #1 then on nearby hydro wire. MK then sits on top of hydro pole and FK chases him off and MK sits on H.M.K.T.
July 11/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. No Kestrel sightings today.
July 12/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. No Kestrel sightings today.
July 13/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. No Kestrel sightings today.
July 14/25 We will be monitoring the research area for Kestrels and keep observations going until all have gone. 8:02am MK on wheel house.
The 2025 Kestrel season has ended. There may be some brief sightings in our research area during migration. This will be the last update for 2025. See you all in 2026. There will be new photos and videos but may be months until we post them. Thank you all for watching our live stream.