Young Kestrels at Brockholes, Lancashire

July 31, 2010:
As was the case last year, Kestrels have again nested somewhere close to Brockholes Wetland Reserve and now the juveniles are learning to hunt there. Today there were several young ones but all seemed more interested in playing than catching prey.




They chose a recently constructed marl bank for this and their plumage blended in so well with the backgound that it was often difficult to see them. They sometimes glided but rarely hovered and spent most of the time chasing about amongst clumps of Dock (Rumex).








Later, a Hobby made a few passes over the lake before disappearing again.