General Discussion : 2017 KestrelCam Discussion

Hello! Welcome to the 2017 KestrelCam season!

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-Delora Hilleary

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Jill from MN's picture

Both nestlings protected now.  I think our little adventurer became oriented to presence, sound or both.

Jill from MN's picture

Good morning to you and to the birdies!   Three 'Kestrelnauts' this am.  First milestone after this will be when they open their eyes.

Delorahilleary's picture

Indeed, three nestlings now! We're psyched! Despite the stormy-looking skies, it's actually quite warm today.

Jill from MN's picture

It's momentous, ain't it?   I do notice that the hatchlings aren't constantly being brooded by their parents.  Hope the other two eggs hatch soon

TerriFla's picture

Oh boy! Was my class so excited this morning when they got to school and saw 2 babies! THen when we came in from the playground the 3rd one had hatched! They were glued to the computer at this point!

Wonderful learning experience!

Delorahilleary's picture

That's so exciting! It's fun to hear about their reactions!

TerriFla's picture

I wonder if the 2 eggs that are left are the first ones that were laid that got snowed on?

Jill from MN's picture

This morning it would be superb to see at least four hatchlings when the female gets up.  But the possibility that those two eggs got too cold may become manifest if she doesn't see them hatch in a few more days.

I have dummy eggs just in case my parakeet should start to lay them - the goal being that she would not lay any more with a full clutch and eventually tire of sitting.  

That would be of interest but very sad to see the parents end up with only three little birds to show for their efforts.  I do wonder how well-grown their prey is at this crucial timing...

Jill from MN's picture

Four hatchlings?  So cute and fluffy, I hope so.  At least one egg....  The male kestrel arrived and began to circle his brood at about 11:25.36 Boise time.

Jill from MN's picture

I now see at least 4 hatchlings huddled together.  Time will tell if they are 5.

TerriFla's picture

Just saw an Indigo Bunting at my Bird Bath! SO cool

TerriFla's picture

Just now as the male exited the box the wind lifted him right up and over the box!

Delorahilleary's picture

Four hatchlings indeed! Crazy, I honestly wasn't expecting those two remaining eggs to hatch at all. It seems the parents are bringing in plenty of rodents.

Jill from MN's picture

Five hatchlings and a shell, feeding time 10:26 AM.  Tiny wing of the littlest one observed.

TerriFla's picture

I think it's still 4? and an egg.

Jill from MN's picture

You are quite right.....  

 

TerriFla's picture

No one has seen the male all day?

TerriFla's picture

Just saw the male but he didn't go in or bring any food.

TerriFla's picture

The female seems to be doing all the hunting and feeding too. The male hasn't brought any food that I have seen?

Delorahilleary's picture

The male is bringing most of the food, most likely - every time the female has left today, a food exchange has happened off-camera :)

TerriFla's picture

Ok I wondered how she was finding food so fast!

Jill from MN's picture

Mama Kestrel is rattling around since at least about 6:00 PM Boise time.  Nestlings at her head; she's scraping the wood.

 

Jill from MN's picture

Interesting behavior with the nestlings.  She preens them and they are all a fluffy little huddle in front of her.

Jill from MN's picture

The 4 Kestrel Kids are all huddled around that egg.  

Jill from MN's picture

It looks like at least two nestlings have opened their eyes.  Does Mama Kestrel chitter in order to guide those that have not opened their eyes?

Delorahilleary's picture

Hard to say - the vocalizations are quite common, and the adult pair chitter to each other as well.

Jill from MN's picture

Mama Kestrel has the egg out in front of her, 8:30 Boise time.

Jill from MN's picture

Tonight I hear the little ones clamor for their mom's attention as she feeds them, and no chittering at every bite....

Jill from MN's picture

Hypothesis:  in-box food deliveries to the sitting mate when it is below a certain temperature.  Breaks and tempering of nestlings to the weather when it's not too cold....

Delorahilleary's picture

Today and tomorrow are quite the warm days. It's a good time to see the nestlings fully as they sprawl out!

TerriFla's picture

Look at that one chick has crawled way over there!

TerriFla's picture

So do we conclude that the last egg isn't going to hatch?

Delorahilleary's picture

You never know - we may be surprised yet! However, I am personally thinking that it will not.

TerriFla's picture

One little egg sits all alone in the middle of the box.

Jill from MN's picture

The nestlings have grown so much in a week.  It's marvelous.  And what big feet they have!

TerriFla's picture

Wow it's windy today!

Delorahilleary's picture

Something that is never not funny - watching the female try to corral growing, wiggling, nestlings against her brood patch. We're in for a stormy, cold day today!

Jill from MN's picture

Rocket poop time!   They are now capable of it......   poor Delora....  Our little Kestrel Kids know not what they do....

 

 

Jill from MN's picture

Mama Kestrel came back, but without any food.  Poor nestlings begged to no avail.

 

TerriFla's picture

Aren't they so sweet all huddled together when mom is gone?

TerriFla's picture

only 2 got food that time.

Jill from MN's picture

The little primaries are starting to come in.

 

Jill from MN's picture

One pretty little hatchling isn't under Mama.  Lots of chirping.  5:26 Boise time.

TerriFla's picture

Happy Mother's Day, Momma Kestrel!

Jill from MN's picture

Ditto!  And to all kestrel watching Moms!

Jill from MN's picture

The nestlings are starting to wiggle their tails, I think.

Jill from MN's picture

Loud noise scared the Kestrel Kids at about 10:10 Boise time.

Jill from MN's picture

Mom and Dad Kestrel are flying around a lot on the outside cam about 10:20 on Boise time.  Tougher hunting this time of day or on an overcast one?

Jill from MN's picture

Unless I miss my guess one of the chicks is pecking at the remains of a previous meal source.

Jill from MN's picture

All chicks awake, restless and hungry....

Posted in General Discussion by Delorahilleary 7 years 3 weeks ago.