Welcome all to our 2025 observations page #1. Here you will see updates of our American Kestrels as the season progresses.
Scroll down to see the latest. Here are abbreviations we use. All times CST and CDT.
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.
Feb 25/25 We have installed the H.M.K.T. nest box, cameras and cat cable today.
March 1/25 We have installed the K-2 nest box, cameras and cat cable today.
March 16/25 FK has arrived at 2:29pm, she was first sighted on a nearby tree. FK entered the H.M.K.T. nest box several times chirping and bowing, then entered the K-2 nest box but was completely silent. When evening hunting from door branch FK gets a vole, eats some, stores a piece in an evergreen in research area then sits on KP #2 for several minutes. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box at 7:26pm and settles in for the night.
March 17/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 7:11am FK awake then back to sleep. 7:19am FK awake. 7:23am FK on door branch. 7:26am FK on nearby hydro wire then 7:39am gone from view. A while later FK sitting on various perches and once was eating food then gone from view. In the afternoon FK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping, followed by going into the K-2 nest box chirping and scrapping. In the evening FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, chirps and scrapes then on KP #2. At 7:03pm FK on nearby tree eating vole and in H.M.K.T. nest box at 7:25pm, preens then tucked in sleeping.
March 18/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 5:41am FK awake preening then back to sleep. This happened again at 6:17am and 6:29am. 7:13am FK on nearby hydro wire then gone from view. Later in the morning FK back in research area and in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping, followed by going into the K-2 nest box chirping and scrapping. FK perched in research area at various times throughout the afternoon and evening. At 7:20pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box preening and digging a deep nest bowl then out on wheel house until 7:37pm when FK went back in H.M.K.T. nest box and settles in for the night.
March 19/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 6:08am FK awake preening again at 6:15am, 6:21am, 6:36am. 7:04am FK awake preening and wing stretches. 7:11am FK in door then 7:12am on door branch. 7:15am FK flies to and sits on nearby hydro wire. Throughout the morning FK on nearby tree and gone from research area. In the afternoon FK back in research area in K-2 nest box chirping and scrapping, the same in H.M.K.T. nest box and sits on various perches, moving at times to avoid two Magpies following her. 7:00pm FK on nearby tree eating vole and sits there until 7:39pm when she goes in the H.M.K.T. nest box. FK preens then tucked in sleeping.
March 20/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 6:58am FK awake and preening. 704am FK in door then on door branch. 7:09am FK flies left to nearby tree. 7:35am FK in K-2 nest box digging up a storm, then out and back to nearby tree, until 7:57am. Later in the morning FK eat twice, storing a leftover one time. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping and perched on door branch and wheel house at various times. In the afternoon FK again in H.M.K.T. nest box a couple of times scrapping and perched in research area. At 7:37pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box preening and settles in for the night.
March 21/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. 7:00am FK awake. 7:05am FK gone from nest box and on nearby hydro wire. 7:29am FK on favorite hunting tree a few times throughout the morning and early afternoon. 1:54pm FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, sits on H.M.K.T. calling then flies and hovers around research area. 1:56pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box calling and bowing. MK has arrived on H.M.K.T. For a while 2 Magpies follow FK and MK to various perches then leave the area. Throughout the afternoon FK in H.M.K.T. a few times calling and bowing while MK is close by on H.M.K.T. and other perches. Copulation on H.M.K.T. occurs twice. During the evening FK and MK spend time together in research area and nearby tree. FK gets a vole from MK which she eats on KP #2 then copulation occurs on nearby tree. FK in and out of K-2 nest box and H.M.K.T. nest box. 7:23pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box calling and bowing, MK looks in then sits on H.M.K.T. and at 7:28pm MK leaves research area then FK, still in H.M.K.T. nest box, settles in for the night.
March 22/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 2:31am FK awake , preens then back to sleep. 6:43am FK awake then back to sleep. 7:08am FK awake and in door then 7:09am on door branch. 7:13am on wheel house. 7:14am MK arrives on H.M.K.T. then FK flies away. 7:18 MK flies away. FK and MK were active in research area throughout the morning, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box four times, MK and FK perched together at various times, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping six times, MK looked in K-2 nest box once, MK gave FK a vole twice and copulation occurred three times. Activity in research area continued throughout the afternoon, MK gave FK a vole, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping four times, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping six times, copulation occurred six times on the H.M.K.T. and once on a nearby tree. 7:04pm FK in H.M.K.T. scrapping and preening then sits quietly and tucked in. MK on H.M.K.T. until 7:15pm. 7:28pm MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box at FK then sits on H.M.K.T. and at 7:38pm gone from research area. FK still in H.M.K.T. nest box settled in for the night.
March 23/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 7:05am FK awake and at 7:12am on door branch. 7:13am MK on hydro wire. 7:15am FK and MK together on hydro wire and at 7:24am copulation occurs. 7:40am MK gone from view, FK on favorite hunting tree then at 7:52am MK back with FK on favorite hunting tree. Throughout the morning MK and FK on various perches in research area, FK gets a stored vole from evergreen, copulation occurs once. MK on H.M.K.T. with a vole and leaves with it. In the afternoon there were periods of time when MK and FK were out of view, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box twice chirping and bowing, copulation occurs once, FK made two quick visits in the H.M.K.T. nest box, MK delivers food to FK on nearby tree. 7:20pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box preening and tucked in, MK on H.M.K.T. until 7:24pm. 7:52pm MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box at FK then gone from research area, FK settles in for the night. 8:50pm Great Horned Owl is on wheel house and wakes up FK.
March 24/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 7:02am FK in door, MK on H.M.K.T., FK out on roof and copulation occurs then on H.M.K.T. and wheel house. 7:04am FK on nearby tree and at 7:07am MK flies to FK and copulates. 7:18am FK still on nearby tree, MK gone then returns at 7:53am and copulates. Throughout the early morning MK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping twice, MK and FK spend periods of time alone and together on nearby tree, copulation occurs twice. During the afternoon there were a few sightings of MK and FK on nearby tree. In the early evening FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box once, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping once. 7:36pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping then out on door branch, MK arrives and copulation occurs. FK back in H.M.K.T. nest box and out on door branch. 7:37pm FK on nearby tree and at 7:42pm MK arrives and copulation occurs. 7:49pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box and settles in for the night.
March 25/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:52am FK awake and on door branch, MK on nearby tree. 6:59am FK flies to MK on nearby tree. 7:12am MK casts a pellet and copulation occurs. 7:25am MK and FK fly away from research area. 7:43am MK briefly back on nearby tree. 8:11am MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box then on H.M.K.T., FK on nearby tree eating a vole. 8:13am in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box then on nearby tree where FK is eating. MK and FK were active in research area throughout the morning, copulation occured nine times, twice MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box and chirps, MK goes in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping four times, MK delivered a vole to FK on nearby tree, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scarpping three times. During the afternoon MK and FK spend periods of time out of view and when in research area continue to be active, copulation occurs twice, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping twice, MK delivers a vole to FK on nearby tree and FK stores a piece in evergreen, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box chipring and scrapping three times. 7:25am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK on nearby tree. FK then out on wheel house and MK arrives, copulation occurs. 7:30pm MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box chirps then goes in H.M.K.T. nest box and FK sits on H.M.K.T., MK out of H.M.K.T. nest box and copulation occurs. 7:31pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK on H.M.K.T. 7:36pm MK gone from research area and FK settles in for the night.
March 26/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:52am FK awake. 6:54am FK in door. 6:56am FK on door branch, MK on nearby tree. 6:59am FK flies to nearby tree with MK and copulation occurs. 7:44am FK and MK still together on nearby tree. 7:50am FK gone from view, MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box. FK back on nearby tree eating a vole and MK on nearby tree with FK until 7:59pm. 8:15pm MK back with FK on nearby tree. FK then in H.M.K.T. nest box, chirps and scraps and files to MK on nearby tree and copulation occurs. Around 8:45am we changed the side camera glass and tidied up the nesting material. Throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon there were more sightings of MK and FK spending periods of time alone and together on H.M.K.T. and nearby tree. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping four times. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and scrapping three times. Copulation occurred once on nearby tree. 7:24pm FK in and out H.M.K.T. nest box and on wheel house then 7:25pm FK gone. 7:34pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, preening nest picking 7:39pm FK out of nest box and on wheel house preening. 7:42pm MK in nest box FK on wheel house, then leaves MK out of nest box on H.M.K.T. then flies away .7:48pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, 7:51pm FK asleep, then wakes up several times. 8:04pm FK asleep then awake several times, 8:24pm FK back to sleep.
March 27/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:36am FK awake and preening. 6:43am FK back to sleep. 6:50am FK awake again. 7:01am FK in door. 7:07am FK gone from research area. 7:24am MK on door branch and at 7:26am MK flies to nearby tree. 7:32am FK on nearby tree MK in H.M.K.T. nest box then to nearby tree with FK copulation occurs. Throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon there were sightings of MK and FK spending periods of time alone and together on H.M.K.T., KP poles and nearby tree. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box five times. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box four times. Copulation occurs once on nearby tree and once on door branch. FK hunting on KP #2 and gets a vole when hunting on KP #4. 4:55pm It’s snowing. MK on H.M.K.T. and FK goes in H.M.K.T. nest box, then MK is gone from research area. 5:01pm FK out of H.M.K.T. nest box and sits on nearby tree. 5:25pm Snowfall is heavier now and getting inside nest box. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box and goes into corner away from snow, preening. 7:35pm Snowfall continues. FK preening and settles in to sleep.
March 28/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. Still snowing ! 6:32am FK awake and preening then at 6:36am back to sleep. 6:57am FK back and forth between preening and sleep. 7:38am FK in door and at 7:43am out on door branch then sits on H.M.K.T. 7:54am FK gone from research area. No kestrel sightings in research area all day. 6:56pm FK on H.M.K.T. until 7:12pm then gone from view. 7:29pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, sits in corner clear of snow, preening then at 7:34pm settles in for the night.
March 29/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:12am FK awake preening then back to sleep. 6:55am FK awake preening then back to sleep. 7:04am FK in door. 7:09am FK on door branch. 7:10am FK gone, MK on H.M.K.T. then gone at 7:11am. 7:49am MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box then gone. No kestrel sightings in research area all day, ground is covered in snow. 6:40pm MK delivers food to FK on wheel house, then both on nearby tree. 6:54pm MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box and sits on door branch, FK still on nearby tree. 6:59pm MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box then flies to FK on nearby tree, copulation occurs. 7:10pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, scrapping and out on nearby tree. 7:20pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box then out on door branch. 7:25pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping then out and gone, MK still on H.M.K.T. until 7:30pm then gone from research area. 7:57pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, preens then settles in for the night.
March 30/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:45am FK awake and preening. 6:51am FK in door. 6:53am FK on door branch. 7:00am FK flies and sits on favorite hunting tree. 7:07am MK arrives and sits with FK. 7:28am FK gone, MK still on favorite hunting tree and at 7:42am gone. 10:35am MK eating on favorite hunting tree, FK on hydro wire. 10:55am FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box then on nearby tree, MK on hydro wire. 11:08am FK and MK gone from research area. 12:42pm FK briefly on favorite hunting tree and flies out of research area. No kestrel sightings in research area the rest of the afternoon, ground is still covered in snow. 6:47pm MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box twice then gone, FK on H.M.K.T. 7:01pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping then out on door branch. 7:15pm FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box then out on H.M.K.T. 7:22pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box then settles in for the night.
March 31/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:50am FK in door. 6:55am FK files to nearby tree. 7:05am FK flies away out of research area. 8:24am MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box, sits on H.M.K.T. until 8:32am then on nearby tree. 9:58am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box and out on nearby tree. 10:01am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, out on nearby tree with MK and at 10:09am copulation occurs. 10:45am FK and MK still on nearby tree and copulation occurs, then at 10:50am copulation occurs again. 10:52am MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box, sits on door branch then gone from research area. FK still on nearby tree. 11:45am MK delivers vole to FK on nearby tree. 11:50am FK stores pieces of vole in tall grass under KP #2, sits on KP #4, sits on door branch then on nearby tree. MK flies to FK and copulation occurs. 12:02pm FK and MK are gone from research area. For the rest of the afternoon there was only one sighting of MK on nearby tree, ground is still covered in snow. 6:52pm MK on H.M.K.T. then on nearby tree. 7:22pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, out on nearby tree then MK flies to FK and copulation occurs. 7:47pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, scrapping then settles in for the night.
April 1/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:45am FK awake. 6:50am FK in door. 6:54am FK out MK on H.M.K.T. and wheel house. 6:57am both gone from research area for several hours. 11:04am Intruder MK on H.M.K.T. and looks in nest box, MK gives FK a vole on nearby tree and on H.M.K.T. then in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and bowing, Intruder MK leaves, MK out and flies to FK on nearby tree. 11:12am FK still on nearby tree with vole, coughs up a pellet then starts to eat, MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box then at 11:18am back on H.M.K.T. 11:43am MK still on H.M.K.T., FK finished eating and MK flies to FK on nearby tree and copulation occurs. 11:47am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box chirping and out on nearby tree. 11:48am FK on H.M.K.T. nest box then flies to MK on nearby tree and at 11:55am copulation occurs. 11:58am MK gone from research area, FK still on nearby tree. 12:27pm Intruder MK in K-2 nest box then out and gone. 12:28pm MK with vole in H.M.K.T. nest box then out on door branch, FK takes vole and flies to nearby tree, MK flies to FK and copulation occurs. FK and MK continue to be active in research area throughout the afternoon. MK and FK spend periods of time alone and together on nearby tree and on H.M.K.T., copulation occurs on door branch twice and three times on nearby tree and once on KP #2 and twice on H.M.K.T., FK in H.M.K.T. nest box twice, FK gets stored vole under KP #2, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box eight times, MK on H.M.K.T. with vole calling then FK takes vole to nearby tree and later stores a piece in tall grass under KP #4, FK in and out of K-2 nest box once. 7:01pm MK on nearby tree, FK gone. 7:46pm MK on wheel house with vole calling, FK takes it and flies to nearby tree. 7:52pm MK flies to FK on nearby tree. 7:59pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, preens settles in for the night. 8:11pm MK flies out of research area.
April 2/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:26am FK awake preening then back to sleep. 6:40am FK awake. 6:47am FK in door. 6:50am FK on door branch then to wheel house then on H.M.K.T. snowing again. 7:27am FK flies to nearby tree. 7:59am MK on H.M.K.T. then at 8:03am flies to FK on nearby tree and copulation occurs. 8:08am FK gone from research area, MK still on nearby tree. 9:01am MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box three times, on door branch then on nearby tree. 9:32am FK and MK on nearby tree. 11:18am FK still on nearby tree, MK gone from research area. 12:07pm FK and MK gone from research area. 2:04pm MK lands on wheel house with a vole, then MK gone from research area. No kestrel sightings in research until 5:08pm when MK on H.M.K.T. until 5:16pm then gone. 6:37pm FK on nearby tree. 6:48pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping then out on nearby tree with MK. 7:26pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box and at 7:55pm settles in for the night.
April 3/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:38am FK awake. 6:44am FK in door. 6:49am FK out and flies to nearby tree MK on H.M.K.T. 6:51am MK flies to FK on nearby tree. 7:05am MK gone FK still on tree. 7:21 MK on nearby tree with vole FK takes vole and is eating. 7:31 FK done eating then copulation occurs. 7:43am MK gone FK still on nearby tree. 8:02am both on nearby tree. 8:29am MK on wheel house with vole FK takes vole and eating on nearby tree then MK gone. Throughout the morning and afternoon MK and FK sit on nearby tree and H.M.K.T. and are also gone from research area for periods of time, copulation occurs twice, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box three times, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box three times. 7:25pm MK kills vole under KP #1 and gives it to FK on wheel house. FK flies to nearby tree and is harassed by two Magpies trying to take the vole. FK and MK strike at Magpies, MK chases them and FK flies away with vole. 7:36pm FK, with vole, is back on nearby tree and Magpies are again harassing her. FK flies away with vole. 8:06pm FK on nearby tree preening. 8:11pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, preening then settles in for the night.
April 4/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 4:48am FK awake preens then back to sleep. 6:31am FK awake preening. 6:38am FK in door. 6:43am FK on door branch. 6:45am FK gone from research area. 6:57am MK and FK on nearby tree. 7:09 am MK gone, FK still on nearby tree. 7:53am MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, flies to FK on nearby tree and copulation occurs. 7:56am MK gone, FK still on nearby tree. 8:14am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box picking shavings and out on nearby tree with MK. 8:21am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box and out on nearby tree then gone, FK still on nearby tree. 8:53am MK back briefly with FK on nearby tree and gone, then again at 9:17am. 9:49am MK delivers vole to FK on nearby tree, FK eating and then at 9:58am stores a piece in tall grass close to nearby tree. 10:19am Lots of activity in research area continues throughout the rest of the morning. Intruder FK on H.M.K.T., MK and FK chase intruder away and copulate on wheel house. FK sits on nearby tree and copulation occurs. Intruder FK returns to H.M.K.T. and is chased away again. FK and MK spending periods of time together and alone in research area, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box three times, copulation occurs on H.M.K.T. three times, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box once. Throughout the afternoon kestrel activity in research area continues. FK on nearby tree for long periods of time and MK perched with her from time to time, FK and MK on H.M.K.T. several times, copulation occurs four times, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box four times, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box twice, MK on door branch with vole then gone from research area with vole, once FK on nearby tree eating a vole. 7:27pm MK lands on nearby tree with FK and copulates, then MK gone from research area. 7:30pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box and sits in nest bowl, out on door branch then gone. 7:59pm FK on nearby tree. 8:08pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, preening then settles in for the night.
April 5/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:32am FK in door. 6:36am FK gone from research area. 6:53am FK and MK on nearby tree. Throughout the morning FK and MK sit on nearby tree alone and together for periods of time. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping twice, MK on H.M.K.T. and looks in nest box twice chirping then flies back to FK on nearby tree and copulates. MK gone from research area a few times and when he returns to FK on nearby tree copulation occurs twice. MK delivers vole to FK on nearby tree then on wheel house, FK coughs a pellet then eating vole. FK stayed in research area almost the entire afternoon, mainly on nearby tree. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box twice scrapping and sitting quietly in nest bowl. MK on H.M.K.T., in H.M.K.T. nest box twice, sits with FK on nearby tree and out of research area multiple times. MK delivers vole to FK on nearby tree. 7:49pm FK and MK together on nearby tree. 7:56pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, scraps, picks shavings and sits in nest bowl. MK still on nearby tree. 8:00pm FK out on door branch and at 8:05pm back in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK still on nearby tree. 8:06pm FK settles in for the night, MK still on nearby tree and at 8:16pm gone from research area.
April 6/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:26am FK awake. 6:29am FK in door. 6:36am FK on door branch. 6:42am FK on nearby hydro wire, 6:46am MK on nearby tree then FK fies to MK. 6:54am MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box then back to nearby tree with FK. 7:11am MK gone FK still on nearby tree. 7:17am MK back with FK. 7:54am MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch and goes in scrapping then out on nearby tree. Throughout the rest of the morning there was minimal activity in research area. MK and FK sit on nearby tree and favorite hunting tree for short durations, MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box once and goes in once, FK hunting for insects close to H.M.K.T., FK gets vole from MK on wheel house and eating on nearby tree. Minimal activity in research area continued throughout the afternoon due to gusting wind. FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box once. MK and FK sit on hydro wire and favorite hunting tree for various periods of time. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box out on H.M.K.T. and FK arrives then copulation occurs. MK lands on wheel house with a vole two times, once FK arrives and takes it and the second time MK delivers it to FK on hydro wire. 7:57pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box then out on door branch. 8:02pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, FK on H.M.K.T. then flies to favorite hunting tree. 8:10pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box with MK, chatter, bowing and preening. 8:12pm FK settles in then MK settles in.
April 7/25 FK and MK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box. First night MK stayed in the H.M.K.T. nest box this year. 4:29am MK and FK awake preening then both back to sleep. 5:03am MK gone from nest box FK awake. 5:51am FK awake preens then back to sleep. 6:28am FK awake then back to sleep. 6:34am FK awake. 6:40am FK in door MK on nearby tree. 6:45am FK flies from door to nearby tree copulation occurs, then both sit. Throughout the day MK and FK activity in the research area was steady. Copulation occurred four times. MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box three times. MK and FK each sit on H.M.K.T. MK and FK spend periods of time alone and together on nearby tree. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping three times. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping twice and once in K-2 nest box. MK delivers vole to FK on nearby tree. FK sat on hydro wire. 7:20pm FK on nearby tree. 7:56pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping and picking shavings then out on nearby tree. 8:09pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, preens then settles in for the night.
April 8/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 5:59am FK awake then back to sleep. 6:24am FK awake. 6:27am FK in door 6:48am FK on wheel house. 6:49am FK flies out of research area. 6:57am MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box then on door branch, FK on nearby tree. 7:05am MK flies to FK copulation occurs. 7:18am copulation occurs and at 7:28am copulation occurs again. 7:56am FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box and at 8:03am both gone from research area. 8:32am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box twice scrapping while MK on H.M.K.T. then FK on door branch and copulation occurs. 8:40am MK and FK on nearby tree. 9:00am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping then out on door branch. 9:09am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping then out on door branch with MK. 9:13am MK and FK gone from research area. Throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon there was minimal activity in research area due to gusting wind. MK and FK sit on nearby tree and H.M.K.T. for short durations. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box three times, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box three times, MK and FK both gone from research area for several hours. 7:14pm MK on wheel house with vole calling then starts to eat, FK arrives at 7:20pm and takes vole to nearby tree to eat. 7:24pm MK gone from research area. 8:08pm FK still on nearby tree. 8:09am FK attempts to enter H.M.K.T. nest box, caught by wind gust and pushed down to a branch on H.M.K.T. 8:12pm FK on door branch then in H.M.K.T. nest box. 8:30pm FK still in H.M.K.T. nest box, preens and settles in for the night.
April 9/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:34am FK awake and preening. 6:44am FK in door. 6:52am FK on wheel house. 6:55am FK gone from research area. 7:14am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box. 7:17am FK on door branch then MK arrives, copulation occurs. 7:20 FK gone MK still on H.M.K.T. 7:25am MK on nearby tree, FK gone. 7:57am MK and FK gone from research area. Throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon MK and FK spent periods of time away from research area. FK on nearby tree for short durations. MK on H.M.K.T. for short durations. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box scrapping four times. FK on nearby tree twice eating a vole. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box once. MK on H.M.K.T. once eating a vole. Copulation occurs on nearby tree one. MK chases Magpie off of nearby tree. Into the evening FK spent a couple of hours on nearby tree. 7:50pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, preening then settles in for the night.
April 10/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:27am FK awake. 6:33am FK in door. 6:34am FK on door branch. 6:40am FK gone from research area. 7:29am still no K’s. 7:41am FK on nearby tree then gone from research area. 8:16am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box then on door branch then to KP #2. 8:20am FK on nearby tree with vole. 9:41am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box FK on nearby tree then MK to nearby tree. 10:34am MK gone, FK still on nearby tree. 10:46am FK briefly in H.M.K.T. nest box, on roof then back to nearby tree and at 10:50am MK with FK. 11:23am MK gone, FK still on nearby tree. FK spent the majority of the afternoon on nearby tree for long periods of time and only out of research area for a few short durations. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box three times scrapping. MK in and out of research area several times throughout the afternoon, sitting with FK upon return. MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box once then with FK on nearby tree and copulation occurs. 7:17pm MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box, goes in twice chirping, out on door branch then to FK on nearby tree and copulates. 7:41pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box then in door and out on door branch. FK still on nearby tree. 7:52pm MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch. 7:58pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box picking shavings then MK gone from research area. 8:06pm FK sits in nest bowl and preens then on other side of nest box and at 8:12pm settles in for the night.
April 11/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 3:39am FK awake and preening then back to sleep. 6:12am FK awake preening. 6:18am FK in door. 6:23am FK on door branch. 6:27 FK flies circling research area, then MK flying circling research area then both sit on nearby tree. Don't forget to like and subscribe to our new Kestrels only YouTube page, link on our info page. Video highlights updates will be posted monthly. Lots of activity in research area continues throughout the rest of the morning. FK on nearby tree for long periods of time. At 8:42am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box loudly chattering, an Intruder FK on H.M.K.T., MK chases intruder FK out of research area and FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box another two times. MK with FK on nearby tree several times for short durations. MK on H.M.K.T. three times. FK on nearby tree eating a vole once. MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box three times. Copulation occurs on nearby tree twice. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, sits in nest bowl, scraps, preens and picks at shavings twice. FK spent the majority of the afternoon on nearby tree for long periods of time and only out of research area for a few short durations. MK in and out of research area several times, sitting with FK upon return. MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box once. FK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box twice. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box once scrapping. Copulation occurs on nearby tree once. One time FK on nearby tree eating. 6:35pm MK gone from research area, FK on nearby tree. 8:00pm FK still on nearby tree. 8:05pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, scraps then settles in for the night.
April 12/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. FK awake then back to sleep all night due to high winds. 6:15am FK awake. 6:20am FK in door. 6:23am FK on door branch, then wheel house 6:27am FK out of research area. Lots of activity in research area throughout the day with FK on nearby tree for long periods of time. Twice FK on nearby tree eating a vole. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box four times. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box five times scrapping, picking shavings and standing in nest bowl. Copulation occurs on nearby tree twice, on KP #2 once and on door branch once. MK delivers a vole FK on nearby tree. MK and FK each spending time alone and together on H.M.K.T., door branch and wheel house. 7:30pm FK on nearby tree. 7:59pm MK on door branch, FK still on nearby tree. 8:09pm MK still on door branch, FK in H.M.K.T. nest box and sits in nest bowl. 8:13pm MK gone from research area, FK still in nest bowl, preens and picks at shavings. 8:20pm FK then on other side of nest box and settles in for the night.
April 13/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:35am FK had already left the H.M.K.T. nest box, did not see when she left or where she went. 6:56am FK on nearby tree with vole. 7:03am MK on door branch. 7:08am MK flies to FK on nearby tree and copulates and at 7:17am copulates again. 7:27am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box sits in nest bowl, MK still on nearby tree. 7:44am FK in door then at 7:48am gone from research area. 7:57am FK on nearby tree and at 10:12am still there. Throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon there was minimal activity in research area due to gusting wind. MK in and out H.M.K.T. nest box once. Twice FK on nearby tree eating vole. FK on H.M.K.T. for half an hour. MK on wheel house with a vole. 6:33pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box sits in nest bowl, then MK gone from research area. 6:42pm FK sleeping off and on until 7:35pm when MK lands on wheel house. 7:39pm FK out on door branch, MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK out and copulates then on outside camera roof and back in nest box, FK still on door branch. 7:57pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box with MK, lots of chatter. FK and MK preening, sitting in nest bowl. 8:04pm FK and MK moving around, in and out of nest bowl. FK sleeping off and on. 8:32pm MK out and gone from research area. FK settles in for the night.
April 14/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. Snow during the night and morning. 6:27am FK awake and preening. 6:29am FK back to sleep. 6:35am FK in door. 6:38am FK on door branch. 6:42am FK flies to nearby hydro wire. 6:47am FK flies out of research area. 8:50am MK on door branch then out of research area. 9:01am MK on nearby hydro wire. 9:13am FK on nearby tree, MK flies to nearby tree with FK then at 9:26am copulation occurs. 9:35am MK and FK out of research area. No kestrel sightings in research area for the rest of the morning and steady activity during the afternoon. FK on nearby tree for a few hours. MK delivers vole to FK on nearby tree two times. MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box twice. Copulation occurs on H.M.K.T. once. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box for half an hour preening, scrapping, picking shavings and resting in nest bowl. FK on door branch and wheel house for over a half hour. 7:50pm MK on door branch with vole, FK in-flight approaching, MK goes in H.M.K.T. nest box with vole. FK on roof and Intruder MK flies over box, then FK flies to KP #4. MK out of nest box and delivers vole to FK on KP #4. FK eating vole on KP #4 and MK on KP #2 then gone. 7:58pm FK stores a piece of vole in evergreen and back on KP #4. 8:01pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box and MK lands on H.M.K.T. 8:10pm MK flies out of research area, FK still in H.M.K.T. nest box in nest bowl preening. 8:15pm FK moves to other side of nest box and settles in for the night.
April 15/25 FK stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 5:58am FK awake. 6:19am FK in door. 6:23am FK on door branch. 6:27am FK flies and sits on nearby hydro wire. 6:32am FK on nearby tree. 7:14am FK gets stored vole from evergreen then eating on nearby tree. 7:54am MK on wheel house, flies to FK on nearby tree and copulates. 8:08am FK gone, MK on H.M.K.T. then KP #4 and at 8:15am gone. 8:17am FK and MK on nearby tree and copulate at 8:25am and again at 8:33am. 8:56am MK gone from research area, FK still on nearby tree. Lots of activity in research area continues throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon. MK delivers vole to FK on nearby tree once. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box twice. Copulation occurs on nearby tree once. In early afternoon FK spent almost an hour in H.M.K.T. nest box picking at shavings, sleeping and preening. FK briefly gone from research area. 3:15pm to 3:46pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box picking at shavings, preening and sleeping. FK out on door branch and MK gives her a vole that she takes to nearby tree to eat. FK only eats a little bit of the vole and stores the rest in a stump under the H.M.K.T. then on nearby hydro wire. FK back in H.M.K.T. nest box, again in nest bowl. 4:09pm FK lays egg #1. FK stays in nest box resting until 5:27pm. FK on nearby tree eating vole. MK on H.M.K.T. and at 6:33pm goes in nest box, looks at egg then out and flies to FK on nearby tree and copulates. 7:55pm MK on nearby tree, FK on nearby tree eating vole. 8:00pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box, looks at egg then out on nearby tree with FK and copulates. 8:08pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg, MK still on nearby tree. 8:10pm MK gone from research area, FK still on egg. 8:19pm FK moves out of nest bowl and settles in for the night.
April 16/25 FK and 1 egg stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. Just a note to all, full incubation will not start until all eggs are laid. 5:59am FK awake then back to sleep. 6:10am FK awake. 6:31am FK in door. 6:36am FK on door branch. 6:43am FK flies to nearby tree. 7:06am FK flies to nearby evergreen and gets stored vole then back to nearby tree eating, MK on wheel house with fresh vole eating. 7:19am MK on KP#2 with vole. 7:20am FK back in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg. 7:21am MK gone from research area. 7:29am MK on nearby tree with vole. 7:40am MK on H.M.K.T. with vole, FK out of H.M.K.T. nest box and takes vole to nearby tree to eat. MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on H.M.K.T. 7:49am MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box then on nearby tree with FK and copulates. 8:13am MK in and out of H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg sleeping. 9:04am MK still on door branch. FK still on egg, sleeping off and on. 9:32am MK gone from research area, FK still in H.M.K.T. nest box. 10:35am FK out and sits on door branch until 11:22am and back in H.M.K.T. nest box. Lots of activity in research area continues throughout the afternoon. FK spent long durations in the H.M.K.T. nest box, sleeping, preening, picking shavings and on and off the egg. MK spent time on H.M.K.T., nearby tree and once looked in K-2 nest box. FK spent time on door branch, nearby tree and roof of K-2 nest box where copulation occurred. MK briefly in H.M.K.T. nest box once. MK on door branch with vole calling, then eat some and stored the rest in tall grass under KP #2. MK delivers vole to FK on nearby tree once. Copulation occurred once on door branch. 7:02pm MK gets stored vole under KP #2 and delivers to FK on nearby tree. 7:42pm MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box and on door branch calling. FK still on nearby tree. 7:45pm Intruder FK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box while FK is inside then Intruder FK flies away. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box loudly chattering, out and in K-2 nest box then on door branch. MK on H.M.K.T. and copulation occurs on door branch. 7:52pm FK still on door branch, MK on H.M.K.T. and at 7:56pm copulation occurs again on door branch. 7:57pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg then at 7:58pm MK gone from research area. 8:20pm FK moves out of nest bowl and settles in for the night.
April 17/25 FK and 1 egg stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 4:23am FK awake preening then back to sleep. 5:41am FK awake and preening. 6:17am FK in door. 6:19am FK back in nest box, then in door. 6:21am FK on door branch. 6:31 am FK and MK on H.M.K.T. and wheel house. 6:40am both gone from research area. 6:42am MK back on wheel house. 6:47am FK on wheel house MK on nearby tree. 6:48am MK flies to FK on wheel house copulation occurs, then MK gone. 6:53am FK on nearby tree. 7:02am MK on H.M.K.T. with food. 7:09am MK on nearby tree and stores food. 7:30am MK on H.M.K.T. then on wheel house. 7:41am FK on wheel house copulation occurs then both sit. 7:46am Copulation occurs on wheel house then MK flies to nearby tree. 7:52am FK on door branch. 8:00am FK and MK gone from research area. 8:08am MK on H.M.K.T. FK on nearby tree, then Mk flies to FK copulation occurs, then both sit. 8:11am MK in and out H.M.K.T. nest box then on door branch FK still on nearby tree. 8:14am MK and FK on nearby trees, 8:am MK gone from research area, FK still on tree. 8:30am FK in nest box and on egg, MK out of research area. 8:58am MK brings FK food, then MK on nearby tree, FK flies to nearby tree with food, copulation occurs while FK holding food then both sit on nearby tree, FK eating. ( possibly the stored food from earlier this morning ). Throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon the activity in research area was steady. FK spent long durations in the H.M.K.T. nest box, on and off the egg and sleeping. MK spent time on H.M.K.T., door branch and wheel house. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box twice. Copulation occurred twice. MK delivers food to FK on wheel house and food on door branch. MK delivers food to FK on nearby tree once. FK and MK spent time alone and together on H.M.K.T. and nearby tree. 7:38pm FK and MK together on nearby tree. 8:08pm FK still on nearby tree, MK gone from research area. 8:19pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box. 8:22pm FK in nest bowl on egg preening then asleep. 8:28pm FK moves out of nest bowl and settles in for the night.
April 18/25 FK and 1 egg stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. Second time in years of research that FK did not lay the second egg within 48 hours. 6:17am FK awake. 6:20am FK in door. 6:26am FK on door branch. 6:29am FK on nearby hydro wire. 6:41am MK on H.M.K.T. FK still on wire. 6:45am both gone from research area. 6:47am FK gone from research area MK in H.M.K.T. nest box attending egg. 7:03am both on nearby tree. 7:18am MK on egg. 7:20am both on nearby tree. 7:24am Copulation occurs on nearby tree then FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg sleeping and MK gone from research area. 7:58am FK out of nest bowl standing beside 1 egg sleeping. 8:09am MK on nearby tree then at 8:14am gone from research area. 8:22am FK out, MK delivers vole to FK on door branch then MK on nearby tree. 8:33am FK stores vole and on nearby tree. MK chases Crow out of research area and on nearby tree with FK, copulation occurs. 8:38am MK briefly in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg and out on nearby tree, then at 8:42am on door branch. 8:45am MK flies to nearby tree with FK. 8:57am MK still on nearby tree, FK on KP #4. 9:06am MK still on nearby tree, FK flies to nearby hydro wire. 9:33am MK and FK on nearby tree. 9:49am Copulation occurs on nearby tree then MK in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg, in door and flies to nearby tree with FK. 9:55am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg, MK still on nearby tree. 10:03am FK in door, MK on H.M.K.T. then FK out on door branch. 10:09am FK and MK on nearby tree. 10:33am FK on wheel house then at 10:38am on nearby tree, MK gone from research area. 11:31am FK still on nearby tree, MK briefly in H.M.K.T. nest box then out on nearby tree. 11:46am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on egg, sleeping. 12:07pm until 12:48pm FK’s posture has changed, there are signs of preparing for laying second egg. FK moving around a lot, picking shavings, breathing heavy at times. 12:49pm MK in H.M.K.T. nest box with FK. Chattering and MK out and gone. 12:53pm FK lays egg #2. FK continues to sit in nest bowl and at 1:33pm out on door branch. For the rest of the afternoon activity is steady at the H.M.K.T. nest box and nearby tree. MK delivers a food to FK on door branch, which FK stores. FK out of H.M.K.T. nest box a few times briefly sitting on door branch, KP #3 and nearby tree. Copulation occurs once on nearby tree. MK briefly in H.M.K.T. nest box with FK and 2 eggs, FK out on door branch then MK out and copulates. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 2 eggs one time. 5:54pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK out of H.M.K.T. nest box on door branch, MK in and out of nest box and copulates door branch. 6:00pm FK on nearby tree, MK on H.M.K.T. to 6:07pm. 6:34pm FK on wheel house, MK nearby hydro wire. 6:45pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box beside 2 eggs. 7:40pm FK still in H.M.K.T. nest box on 2 eggs, settles in for the night, MK gone from research area. Note: eggs are typically laid approximately 48 to 72 hours apart.
April 19/25 FK and 2 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 6:02am FK awake, briefly then back to sleep. 6:08am FK awake and preening. 6:20am FK in door. 6:25am FK on door branch. 6:36am FK flies to nearby tree. 6:53am FK gone from research area. 7:00am FK on nearby tree. 7:04am FK back on 2 eggs. 7:57am MK arrives on H.M.K.T., FK leaves. 7:59am MK dives to ground left of H.M.K.T. and up to nearby tree with food. 8:01am FK arrives and takes food and eating, MK gone from research area. 8:14am both gone from research area. 8:40am FK back on 2 eggs. 8:51am MK checks on FK on 2 eggs, then sits on H.M.K.T. 8:57am MK flies to nearby tree. Kestrel sightings in research area throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon were steady. FK in nest box multiple times sitting on 2 eggs. MK with vole on H.M.K.T., FK out of nest box and takes vole to nearby tree to eat. FK spent long durations on nearby tree and MK was with her a couple of times for short periods. MK delivers a vole and FK eating on nearby tree. MK briefly in H.M.K.T. nest box once. MK delivers food to FK on H.M.K.T., FK takes it to nearby tree to eat. FK seen eating on nearby tree. 7:35pm FK enters H.M.K.T. nest box sitting on 2 eggs. 7:50pm FK still on 2 eggs, picking shavings then sleeping. MK gone from research area. 8:31pm FK moves out of nest bowl and settles in for the night.
April 20/25 FK and 2 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 3:05am FK awake preening then back to sleep. 5:34am FK awake and preening. 6:04am FK in door. 6:07am FK on door branch. 6:18am FK flies and sits on nearby tree, MK lands near her. 6:27am MK gone, FK still on nearby tree. 6:57am MK looks in H.M.K.T. nest box , on door branch then in and rolls the eggs and on eggs, FK dives to ground then gone. 6:40am MK on nearby tree. 6:55am MK on wheel house with vole, FK chases Grackle, MK on nearby tree with vole then FK on nearby tree. 7:00am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 2 eggs, MK eating vole on nearby tree. 7:10am FK and MK on nearby tree. 7:19am MK on door branch. 7:45am MK flies to nearby tree with FK then looks in H.M.K.T. nest box and sits on door branch. For the rest of the morning activity in research area slowed down. MK briefly in on 2 eggs twice. FK on nearby tree for short durations. Copulation occurs once on nearby tree. FK in on 2 eggs three times. MK and FK sit on H.M.K.T. a few times. MK gives FK food on nearby tree. Very few Kestrel sightings in research area during the afternoon with FK and MK only spending brief durations alone and together on nearby tree. 5:00pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, looks at 2 eggs then out and gone. MK gone from research area. 5:14pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 2 eggs and at 5:16pm in door then out and gone. 5:25pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 2 eggs, picking shavings and showing signs of preparing for laying third egg. 5:53pm FK lays egg #3. 6:39pm MK with food flies over KP pole area, FK out of H.M.K.T. nest box and flies to nearby tree. MK on H.M.K.T. with food then at 6:47pm delivers food to FK on nearby tree. 7:24pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 3 eggs. MK still on nearby tree. 7:30pm FK still on 3 eggs sleeping. MK gone from research area. 8:07pm FK out of H.M.K.T. nest box, MK on H.M.K.T. 8:39pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 3 eggs, MK gone from research area. 8:45pm FK moves out of nest bowl preening then back on 3 eggs. 8:53pm FK moves out of nest bowl preening then settles in for the night.
April 21/25 FK and 3 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. FK awake at 1:27am, 4:23am, 4:48am, then back to sleep. 5:49am FK awake preening. 6:15am FK settles in on 3 eggs. 6:32am FK in door. 6:40am FK on door branch. 6:45am FK on H.M.K.T. then gone from research area. 705am MK on H.M.K.T. FK on nearby tree. 7:07am MK flies to FK and copulation occurs, then both sit. 7:09am MK on nearby hydro wire, FK on KP#2. 7:27am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 3 eggs, MK on H.M.K.T. 7:41am MK gone from research area, FK still in H.M.K.T. nest box. 7:54am FK in door, out on door branch then on wheel house. 8:34am FK back on wheel house after a brief flight at 8:28am. 8:41am FK on nearby tree eating food. 8:57am MK delivers a food to FK on nearby tree, looks in H.M.K.T. nest box, on door branch then at 9:03am on nearby tree with FK. 9:22am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 3 eggs, MK still on nearby tree. 9:48am FK still on 3 eggs sleeping, MK gone from research area. 10:46am FK awake, adjusts eggs slightly and back to sleep. 10:58am MK on door branch chattering, Intruder FK on branch under H.M.K.T. nest box. FK in door, looks down and sees Intruder FK. FK out of box and FKs fight then fly off H.M.K.T. Intruder FK in H.M.K.T. nest box and FK lands on H.M.K.T., MK still on door branch. Intruder FK out of box and FKs fight again, Intruder FK on roof and FK in H.M.K.T. nest box chattering. FK out of box and back in again chattering. MK moves to different branch on H.M.K.T., Intruder FK still on roof. FK out of box on door branch and Intruder FK flies away. 11:00am MK flies to FK on door branch and copulates. MK then gone and FK sits on wheel house then door branch and at 11:18am gone from research area. 11:59am FK on H.M.K.T. then at 12:05pm gone. 12:27pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK on door branch, FK out. MK in and FK in with MK then MK out and gone from research area. Minimal activity in research area throughout the afternoon. FK and MK spent short durations alone and together on nearby tree. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box once. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box once for a short time sleeping. 8:04pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 3 eggs sleeping, MK gone from research area. 9:22pm FK moves out of nest bowl preening then at 9:42pm settles in for the night.
April 22/25 FK and 3 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. FK awake and changed positions all through the night. 5:59am FK awake, preens and back to sleep. 6:13am FK in door then out on door branch. 6:23am FK flies to nearby tree. 6:48am MK on H.M.K.T. MK on old fence post with food. 6:58am MK delivers food to FK on wheel house, FK flies to nearby tree and eating, MK still on wheel house. 7:04am FK stores food in nearby evergreen, then back to nearby tree, MK flies to FK and copulation occurs. 7:32am FK on 3 eggs, MK on nearby tree. 7:57am until 9:36am FK still in H.M.K.T. nest box on 3 eggs, MK back and forth four times from nearby tree to H.M.K.T. and wheel house. 9:36am FK in door then out on nearby tree at 9:40am, MK gone. 10:03am MK on nearby tree then dives down and up on H.M.K.T. eating a bug, FK gone. 10:09am MK and FK on nearby tree, both chasing Crow away from nearby tree then sit on nearby tree until 10:49am. 10:50am FK in on 3 eggs, MK on wheel house. Minimal activity in research area throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon . FK in H.M.K.T. nest box twice on 3 eggs. FK spent long durations on nearby tree and MK with her a few times for short durations. MK on H.M.K.T. and wheel house a couple of times. MK delivers food to FK on nearby tree twice. MK in H.M.K.T. nest box once. 6:00pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 3 eggs. 7:31pm MK on door branch until 8:03pm then gone from research area. FK still on 3 eggs. 8:25pm FK on wheel house eating food. 8:33pm FK back in H.M.K.T. nest box on 3 eggs and settles in for the night.
April 23/25 FK and 3 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. FK did not get off eggs all evening and night, so we can not determine if a 4th egg was laid until FK is off egg clutch. 5:38am FK awake then back to sleep. 6:03am FK awake picking shavings. 7:28am MK on H.M.K.T. with small piece of vole, FK out. There are 4 eggs, FK flies to nearby tree, MK eating, then gone from research area. 7:37am FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 4 eggs. 8:53am MK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 4 eggs, FK out on door branch then gone. 9:13am MK still on eggs, FK on nearby tree. 9:26am FK on door branch and at 9:31am in with MK. MK out on KP #4 and FK on 4 eggs. 9:41am MK on door branch with food calling, FK stays on eggs and MK flies away. 9:50am MK back on door branch with food calling, FK stays on eggs and MK flies to nearby tree. 11:30am FK still on eggs, MK gone from research area. 12:01pm Crow on H.M.K.T., MK chases it away then sits on nearby tree. 12:20pm MK on wheel house, FK stays in nest box then MK gone. 12:29pm MK on wheel house, FK stays in nest box then MK gone. 1:55pm FK in door and at 2:00pm out on nearby tree. 3:28pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 4 eggs. 6:35pm FK out on nearby tree and gets food from MK. 6:57pm MK on wheel house, FK still on tree. 7:20pm MK gone from research area. FK in H.M.K.T. nest box on 4 eggs, preens, rolls eggs, sleeps and settles in for the night.
April 24/25 FK and 4 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 3:42am FK awake rolling eggs, preen then back to sleep. 5:46am FK egg roll and back to sleep. 6:13am FK awake and in door. 6:16am FK door branch. 6:22am FK gone from research area. 6:27am MK in nest box, then in door calling. 6:32am MK on door branch still calling. 6:43am MK looks in nest box again calling, then on H.M.K.T. 6:52am both on nearby tree. 6:56am FK back on 4 eggs, MK on nearby tree. 7:42am MK gone from research area, FK still on 4 eggs. 8:32am MK on nearby tree with vole then gone, FK still on 4 eggs. 8:45am MK on door branch, FK gets off 4 eggs and then back on eggs. 9:12am FK still on eggs, MK gone from research area. 9:46am FK still on eggs, MK on nearby tree then gone again. 10:36am FK in door then out on nearby tree with MK and copulation occurs, then both fly out of research area. 11:11am FK in on 4 eggs, MK still gone. 11:27am MK on wheel house with vole, FK out, takes vole to nearby tree and eating. 11:40am FK and MK gone from research area. 11:49am until 5:02pm FK in on 4 eggs, MK still gone. 5:02pm FK in door and out on nearby tree, MK still gone. 5:32pm FK back in on 4 eggs. 6:33pm MK on wheel house with food. FK out on nearby tree, MK on nearby tree and FK takes food. 6:55pm until 7:42pm FK in on eggs, MK still on nearby tree. 8:01pm FK in door then out on nearby tree, MK gone. 8:09pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK still on nearby tree. 8:15pm FK on wheel house, MK flies off of H.M.K.T. and gone from research area. FK in on 4 eggs, preens, rolls eggs, sleeps and settles in for the night.
April 25/25 FK and 4 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 3:47am FK awake rolling eggs, she has done this all morning. 6:03am FK gone fom nest box and out of research area, still 4 eggs. About 6:17am FK back on 4 eggs. 7:17am FK in door till 7:54am then to nearby tree, still no MK in sight. 8:12am FK on nearby tree with vole MK had delivered. 8:15am MK on wheel house then on H.M.K.T. 8:20am MK gone from research area. 8:24 FK still on nearby tree, MK arrives and copulation occurs then they both sit. 8:28am FK back on 4 eggs, MK gone from research area. 8:28am MK checks on FK then on door branch. 9:01am MK chases Northern Flicker from KP area, then on nearby tree. 9:12am MK gone from research area, FK on 4 eggs. 11:47am MK and FK the same. 11:48am FK in door and she has laid egg 5, MK still not in research area. 11:51am FK back on 5 eggs. 12:39pm FK out on nearby tree. MK on wheel house with food and delivers to FK then in on 5 eggs. 12:43pm MK in door then out on nearby tree. 12:46pm FK in on 5 eggs, MK gone from research area. 2:57pm FK out on nearby tree, MK delivers a vole. 3:09pm until 6:44pm FK in on 5 eggs, MK gone from research area. 6:44pm FK out on nearby tree and at 7:06pm back in on 5 eggs. 7:57pm FK still on eggs. MK on nearby tree and at 8:23pm on nearby hydro wire. 8:45pm MK gone from research area. FK still on 5 eggs, preens, rolls eggs, sleeps and settles in for the night. Will there be an egg 6?
April 26/25 FK and 5 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. FK rolling 5 eggs and preening all night and early morning long. 6:07am FK in door, then to nearby tree. 6:11am MK in on 5 eggs. 6:36am MK in door then to nearby tree with FK, copulation occurs. 6:38am FK back on 5 eggs, MK on H.M.K.T. 6:59am FK out on nearby tree and gets food from MK, and at 7:02am MK in on eggs. 7:28am FK on H.M.K.T., MK out on nearby tree and FK joins him. 7:30am FK in on 5 eggs. 7:48am until 8:54am FK still on eggs and MK gone from research area. 8:54am FK out on nearby tree and gets food from MK. 9:28am MK on door branch, FK on eggs. 11:09am FK on eggs, MK gone from research area. 11:37am FK in door then on nearby tree and gets vole from MK. 12:17pm until 3:35pm FK on eggs, MK gone. 4:40pm FK out on door branch and gone, then at 4:54 back on egss. MK still gone. 5:16pm MK on H.M.K.T., FK out on nearby tree and MK in on eggs. 5:18pm MK in door, out on door branch then gone. 5:45pm FK in on eggs, MK still gone. 6:54pm FK in door and out then at 6:58pm back in on eggs, MK still gone. 8:00pm FK still on eggs, MK still gone from research area. 8:40pm MK gone from research area. FK on 5 eggs, preens and settles in for the night.
April 27/25 FK and 5 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. 5:54am FK awake. 6:24am FK in door then on door branch. 6:32am FK back on 5 eggs. 6:45am MK on H.M.K.T. FK on door branch, copulation occurs then both sit on H.M.K.T. then both gone from research area. 6:48am FK back on 5 eggs, flicker and magpie on H.M.K.T. MK attacks then on nearby tree chasing magpie. 7:02 MK on H.M.K.T. then gone. 7:10am FK on door branch, then back on 5 eggs. 7:17am Crow on H.M.K.T., MK attacks then sits on H.M.K.T. and then gone. 7:25am MK looks in box, FK out on door branch then back on 5 eggs and MK gone. 9:19am FK out on door branch then back on 5 eggs. 11:52am MK on door branch with food, FK gets food and on nearby tree. 12:01pm FK back in on 5 eggs, MK still on door branch then at 12:08pm gone. Throughout the afternoon FK spent hours in the H.M.K.T. nest box on 5 eggs. Twice MK looks in box, FK out on door branch briefly then back on 5 eggs. MK delivers food to FK in door, FK out and takes food then MK in on 5 eggs once. Copulation occurs on nearby tree once. FK on nearby tree for a short time once while MK on door branch. MK on door branch with vole, FK out and takes vole to nearby evergreen and stores it. MK looks in box, FK out on nearby tree and MK sits on door branch. MK delivers food to FK in door, FK takes it to nearby tree. 8:13pm FK out on door branch, MK lands on H.M.K.T. with food, FK takes it to nearby tree to eat and MK gone. 8:22pm MK gone from research area. FK in on 5 eggs and settles in for the night.
April 28/25 FK and 5 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. FK awake several times all night, rolling 5 eggs and changing incubation positions. Every year we have Wood Ducks at our pond and they always check out the K-2 nest box but it never amounts to anything. This year Ma Wood Duck has moved in and had 4 eggs as of April 27/2025. If you would like to see this taking place go to our home page www.nu-sun.com Unlike our Kestrel streams these are free to us so there will be some advertising. Ma Wood Duck is usually in the K-2 nest box approximately 6:30am CDT and she may stay for an hour or more. She will cover the eggs when she leaves. Our story is, 18 years ago we had Wood Ducks coming to our pond. So we built a Wood Duck nest box. To our surprise American Kestrels moved in, and so the Kestrel research story continues. 6:28am FK in door. 6:31am FK gone from research area. 6:33am FK back on 5 eggs. 7:15am MK on H.M.K.T., FK stays on 5 eggs, MK gone. 7:42am MK in nest box with FK then FK out MK on 5 eggs, FK on nearby tree eating. 7:52am FK in nest box with MK. Then MK off eggs and in door FK on eggs. 8:04am MK back on 5 eggs FK on door branch. 8:07am FK in nest box chatters at MK on eggs then FK out and gone. 8:53am FK back on 5 eggs and MK gone from research area. 10:28am until 11:15am FK still on 5 eggs, MK gone. 11:15am FK out on nearby tree and at 11:18am back in on eggs. 4:40pm FK out on nearby tree, on wheel house then gone. 4:59pm FK in on 5 eggs. 6:05pm MK in with FK, FK out on nearby tree, MK briefly on eggs then out and gone. 6:07pm FK in on eggs. 6:40pm MK in with FK, FK out on H.M.K.T., MK out on door branch then gone. 6:46pm FK in on eggs. 7:44pm MK delivers food to FK and FK on nearby tree eating, MK gone from research area. 7:52pm FK in on 5 eggs and settles in for the night.
April 29/25 FK and 5 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. FK awake several times all night and early morning rolling 5 eggs and changing incubation positions. Around 6:14am FK out and back in nest box, MK on nearby hydro wire. 6:55am both same. 6:56am FK same. MK on nearby tree. 7:11am FK out for a short flight and at 7:13am back in on eggs, MK gone. 7:36am FK out on nearby tree and at 7:42am back in on eggs. 8:05am FK out on nearby tree and gets food from MK then MK in on eggs. 8:31am MK still on eggs sleeping, FK gone from research area. 8:49am FK on nearby tree. 9:16am FK in with MK, FK on eggs and MK out on door branch then at 9:19am gone. 9:28am FK out on wheel house with MK for a food delivery and FK on nearby tree. 9:33am FK stores food in tall grass and then back in on 5 eggs. 12:20pm MK in, FK out on nearby tree and MK on eggs. 12:46pm FK in with MK, MK still on eggs and chattering. FK on eggs and MK out on door branch then gone. 4:10pm FK still on eggs. MK still gone. 4:26pm FK out on nearby tree and at 4:31pm back in on eggs. 4:39pm FK on nearby tree, gets vole from MK then MK in on eggs. 5:10pm FK in with MK, MK still on eggs and chattering. FK on eggs and MK out on door branch then gone from research area. 6:59pm FK out for a short flight and at 7:01pm back in on 5 eggs. 7:50pm FK on nearby tree eating food from MK, then MK on eggs. 8:00pm FK in, MK still on eggs and chattering. FK on nearby tree then MK out and gone from research area. 8:02pm FK on eggs, settles in for the night.
April 30/25 FK and 5 eggs stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box, MK slept elsewhere. FK awake several times all night and early morning rolling 5 eggs and changing incubation positions. 6:55am MK in nest box on 5 eggs FK on nearby tree eating. 7:23am FK back in nest box on 5 eggs, MK in door then door branch. 7:31am MK back in on eggs, FK on door branch then gone from research area. 7:48am FK in on eggs, MK in door then on nearby tree. 9:02am FK still on eggs, MK gone from research area. 10:06am FK out on nearby tree, gets food from MK. MK in on eggs. 10:52am FK in with MK, MK still on eggs and chattering. FK on eggs, MK on door branch then at 10:58am gone from research area. 11:52am FK out on door branch and back in on eggs. 12:34pm FK out and gone. 12:36pm MK in on eggs and at 12:56pm out on nearby tree. 12:59pm FK in on eggs. 3:53pm FK out on nearby tree, MK delivers food. 3:58pm MK in on eggs. 4:29pm FK in with MK, MK still on eggs and chattering. FK on eggs, MK in door then out on nearby tree. 5:10pm until 6:25pm Three times FK briefly out on door branch and back in on eggs. 7:29pm FK on nearby tree eating food that MK delivered, then MK in on eggs. 7:53pm FK back in on 5 eggs, MK on nearby tree. 8:48pm MK gone from research area. FK still on eggs and settles in for the night.