Dutch Kestrels

[melv16]

https://nestkastlive.nl/torenvalk3/

5 chicks has been seen this morning. 

[melv16]

One chick is smaller than the others.

Could be a tiny year?😟

[melv16]

The smallest chick has died 😢 

[ladybirder]

Is it still in the nest melv?  Looks like it to me.

[ladybirder]

Perhaps not, looks like 4 now.

[ladybirder]

I can't watch this without getting upset. The little ones hardly stand a chance of eating any food poor things.

[melv16]

I think the male has disappeared. 

[melv16]

I've watched lots of kestrel nests and this is normal behaviour, LB. There's usually massive food fights when prey is brought in. When it's in short supply only the strongest and fittest will survive, unless supplementary is used.

[melv16]

2 chicks have died overnight and at least one has been eaten by the survivors...nothing is wasted in nature 

[ladybirder]

Thank you melv. I haven't looked this afternoon and I'm not sure I want to now.  I'm guessing it's not just Kestrels that do this, am I right?

I know it happens but seeing it is another matter.

[melv16]

I've seen a tawny owl eat its own dead chick. Barn owls also feed their dead chicks to their young. Spring watch showed a peregrine eating a live chick.

[ladybirder]

Oh yes I saw something like that over the last few days.  All these chicks in their nest begging for food and a predator flies in and eats them all.  Might have been on Spring Watch.

[melv16]

Things are looking very bleak in the nest box. The F hasn't been seen all day, obviously,  the chicks haven't been fed and are looking very weak. There's been a lot of rain in Holland and the fields are flooded, causing a lack of available prey. I don't hold much hope that the chicks will survive the night😟

[ladybirder]

That's so sad.  I wonder how long before dark falls and that could be it for the day.

[ladybirder]

Melv can you tell me where that nest is placed please?  It looks as if it is on the grass on the ground which seems odd to me.  And dangerous.  Others have been on telegraph scaffolding or some such.

[melv16]

It's in a haystack,  LB. There's a picture of it if you click the button above the blog.

[melv16]

Locatie info is the one you need to click, LB.

[ladybirder]

I can't see that melv.  Do I need to be registered perhaps?

[melv16]

https://nestkastlive.nl/torenvalk3/

[ladybirder]

Sorry melv I've had company so only just had chance to see this.  Did mum come back and feed them?

[melv16]

No sign of her 😢