Welcome all to our 2026 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.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE LATEST UPDATES

MAY        31/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. The incubation is complete with all 6 eggs successfully hatched. Since our research began this is a record number of nestlings. Now FK and MK will be raising the 6 nestlings. The 6 nestlings did well in the heat again today. Nestlings had over a dozen feedings of vole by FK and also fed nestlings a few grubs. FK left a few times with vole leftovers and stored. MK continues to be a good provider of food for FK and the nestlings, hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       01/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings numerous times, and also some grubs and insects. Other than during feedings, FK spending very little time in the nest box with the nestlings. Since the nestlings are growing and need more food, FK and MK are both hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       02/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over a dozen times and a couple of times left with leftovers and stored in nearby evergreen. Nestlings are growing and have started to preen themselves. FK and MK both hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       03/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times and a couple of times left with leftovers and stored in nearby evergreen. Twice FK was feeding the nestlings vole and MK came into the nest box with a vole and left it for FK to feed to nestlings. FK also fed nestlings a dozen grubs and insects. Since it was a cooler, rainy day FK stayed in the nest box several times on the nestlings. FK and MK both hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       04/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. The nestlings are sharpening up their aim and have hit the side camera glass with poop a few times. FK fed vole to nestlings numerous times and also some insects. MK also fed the nestlings a vole. It’s rare for the male to feed the nestlings at this young age when food needs to be ripped into small pieces. FK and MK both continue to hunt from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       05/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. Nestlings are developing well, their pin feathers are visible and they have started to flap their wings. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times and also several insects. MK also fed the nestlings vole twice. FK and MK are both hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       06/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times and fed them insects over forty times. Nestlings are doing well in the extreme heat and FK and MK are both hunting from early morning into the evening keeping them well fed.

JUNE       07/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. We will try to clean the cameras today. Both cameras were cleaned this morning. FK fed vole to nestlings over a dozen times. MK brought one vole in the nest box and left it for FK to feed to the nestlings. With freshly cut grass in the KP pole area FK and MK fed an impressive 77 insects to the nestlings. FK fed the majority of the insects. MK delivered a Dragonfly to FK in the nest box that FK fed to the nestlings. Them nestlings manage to hit the side camera with poop again. The nestlings are doing well in the extreme heat by gular fluttering to control their body temperature. FK and MK  hunting from morning into the evening

JUNE       08/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over a dozen times and MK fed them vole twice. FK and MK hunted for insects on KP poles and H.M.K.T. and fed the nestlings a remarkable 110 insects.  FK fed the majority of the insects. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       09/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. Update until 4:03pm: FK fed vole to nestlings eight times. FK and MK fed the nestlings 44 insects, with FK feeding the majority. 4:30pm a severe thunderstorm with heavy rain, hail and gusting winds hit the research area. The nestlings huddled together during the brunt of the storm. At 6:49pm FK came into the H.M.K.T. nest box just as the hail started, she was soaking wet and appears to be okay. 7:48pm FK out of H.M.K.T. nest box, the storm has passed. 8:14pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box with a vole feeding very hungry nestlings. FK fed vole two more times to the nestlings, then at 9:00pm settled in for the night beside the nestlings.

JUNE       10/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. Top and side cameras were cleaned at 7:28am. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times. MK left a couple of voles with nestlings and one time they eat it by ripping it just as the adults do. FK and MK fed 94 insects to the nestlings, FK fed the majority. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       11/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times. MK left two voles with nestlings to eat on their own. MK in with a vole and feeding nestlings then FK came in and finished feeding it to nestlings. MK in with a vole and fed some to nestlings then out with the vole. FK and MK fed 69 insects to the nestlings, FK fed the majority. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       12/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. We will clean both cameras today. Cameras cleaned from 9:15am to 9:30am. Side camera hit with poop at 9:45am. FK fed vole to nestlings sixteen times and MK left three voles in nest box for nestlings. FK and MK fed over twenty insects to the nestlings, FK fed the majority. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       13/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings twenty-three times. MK fed vole to nestlings three times, brought one in the nest box for FK to fed to nestlings and another MK left with nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK fed 86 insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       14/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. Cleaned both cameras start 7:08am done 7:20am. Side camera was hit with poop at 7:55am. Cameras will be cleaned for the last time on June 17/2026 which is banding day. Disturbing the nestlings after banding may cause premature fledge (leaving the nest box). FK fed vole to nestlings fifteen times. MK left two voles for nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK fed 85 insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       15/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. Banding day is near !! Can you guess the genders of our 6 nestlings.