Relations between kestrels Apollo & Athena are often tense. But when a flock of jackdaws threaten their nest, they unite to fight the invasion.

Date filmed: 2023

Watch kestrels Apollo & Athena interact live on my nest cam:    • Live From Ash Wood | Robert E Fuller  ] and follow their story in this playlist:    • Kestrels  Apollo & Athena | Wild Liv...  

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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Kestrel nest
It's the start of the breeding season and kestrels Apollo and Athena return to their favourite nest, Ash Hollow.

Competition
But this nest is in a prime location and jackdaws are also looking to nest. The jackdaws are bigger, stronger, and extremely persistent. When Athena finds a pair rearranging her nesting material a vicious fight ensues.

Bird fights
Apollo, the male, rushes to his partner's aide, but in his hurry he accidently knocks her out of the nest. The scuffles continue for weeks, and the battles become increasingly ferocious.

Nest shortage
It is important this kestrel pair secure this nest, since there is a shortage of suitable sites for kestrels which is one reason these birds are on the amber list for UK birds of conservation concern.

Kestrel courtship
But the kestrels are determined to start a family and their courtship continues. Apollo, the male, spends his time finding gifts for his mate Athena some get a better reception than others.

Unseasonable snowfall
In March a blanket of snow covers the Yorkshire Wolds and now Apollo must work even harder.

Kestrel relations
But poor Apollo can never do enough and Athena complains noisily when he fails to deliver, trapping him in the nest as she berates him.

Getting ready for chicks
This kestrels pair are known for their turbulent relationship but it isn't long before they are working as a team, digging shallow depressions into the nest floor for their eggs.

Egg laying
By midApril, Athena lays her first egg, ignoring a twig left in the nest by the pesky jackdaws. It is 3 days before the second egg. The next two are laid 2 days later.

Keeping guard
Now the kestrels cannot afford to let their guard down and Athena keeps one eye open even as she sleeps. Known as unihemispheric slow wave sleep, this is a survival tactic she shares with other bird species.

Jackdaw attack
Athena needs to be vigilant more than ever. When the jackdaws invade again, grabbing at her tail feathers, she rounds on them and this time the jackdaws don't return for a while at least.

Competition continues
But Athena' gets little peace and is soon disturbed by a rival kestrel, Jenny who has flown across form Fotherdale.

Kestrels share roles
Male and female kestrel take turns to sit on the eggs, but Athena takes the night shifts. Both birds hunt, but Apollo continues to bring Athena gifts, even delivering live prey.

Incubation
After so much action, the monotony of incubating is getting to Athena. But as she chases flies around the nest, Apollo continues to guard the nest from squirrels and yet more jackdaw threats

Chick hatches
In May the first chick hatches and now this kestrel pair must work even harder to feed their young family.

ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.

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CHAPTERS
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00:00Apollo & Athena's story
00:51Jackdaw intrusions
01:42Bird fights
03:53Snowfall
08:16Egg laying
10:04Sleeping with one eye open
10:50 Intrusion by kestrel Jenny
13:09Incubation
14:34 Live prey
16:12Next time
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© Robert E Fuller

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