Welcome all to our 2026 observations page #2. Here you will see updates of our American Kestrels as the season progresses.

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.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE LATEST UPDATES

MAY        31/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. The incubation is complete with all 6 eggs successfully hatched. Since our research began this is a record number of nestlings. Now FK and MK will be raising the 6 nestlings. The 6 nestlings did well in the heat again today. Nestlings had over a dozen feedings of vole by FK and also fed nestlings a few grubs. FK left a few times with vole leftovers and stored. MK continues to be a good provider of food for FK and the nestlings, hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       01/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings numerous times, and also some grubs and insects. Other than during feedings, FK spending very little time in the nest box with the nestlings. Since the nestlings are growing and need more food, FK and MK are both hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       02/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over a dozen times and a couple of times left with leftovers and stored in nearby evergreen. Nestlings are growing and have started to preen themselves. FK and MK both hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       03/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times and a couple of times left with leftovers and stored in nearby evergreen. Twice FK was feeding the nestlings vole and MK came into the nest box with a vole and left it for FK to feed to nestlings. FK also fed nestlings a dozen grubs and insects. Since it was a cooler, rainy day FK stayed in the nest box several times on the nestlings. FK and MK both hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       04/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. The nestlings are sharpening up their aim and have hit the side camera glass with poop a few times. FK fed vole to nestlings numerous times and also some insects. MK also fed the nestlings a vole. It’s rare for the male to feed the nestlings at this young age when food needs to be ripped into small pieces. FK and MK both continue to hunt from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       05/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. Nestlings are developing well, their pin feathers are visible and they have started to flap their wings. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times and also several insects. MK also fed the nestlings vole twice. FK and MK are both hunting from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       06/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times and fed them insects over forty times. Nestlings are doing well in the extreme heat and FK and MK are both hunting from early morning into the evening keeping them well fed.

JUNE       07/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. We will try to clean the cameras today. Both cameras were cleaned this morning. FK fed vole to nestlings over a dozen times. MK brought one vole in the nest box and left it for FK to feed to the nestlings. With freshly cut grass in the KP pole area FK and MK fed an impressive 77 insects to the nestlings. FK fed the majority of the insects. MK delivered a Dragonfly to FK in the nest box that FK fed to the nestlings. Them nestlings manage to hit the side camera with poop again. The nestlings are doing well in the extreme heat by gular fluttering to control their body temperature. FK and MK  hunting from morning into the evening

JUNE       08/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over a dozen times and MK fed them vole twice. FK and MK hunted for insects on KP poles and H.M.K.T. and fed the nestlings a remarkable 110 insects.  FK fed the majority of the insects. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       09/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. Update until 4:03pm: FK fed vole to nestlings eight times. FK and MK fed the nestlings 44 insects, with FK feeding the majority. 4:30pm a severe thunderstorm with heavy rain, hail and gusting winds hit the research area. The nestlings huddled together during the brunt of the storm. At 6:49pm FK came into the H.M.K.T. nest box just as the hail started, she was soaking wet and appears to be okay. 7:48pm FK out of H.M.K.T. nest box, the storm has passed. 8:14pm FK in H.M.K.T. nest box with a vole feeding very hungry nestlings. FK fed vole two more times to the nestlings, then at 9:00pm settled in for the night beside the nestlings.

JUNE       10/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. Top and side cameras were cleaned at 7:28am. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times. MK left a couple of voles with nestlings and one time they eat it by ripping it just as the adults do. FK and MK fed 94 insects to the nestlings, FK fed the majority. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       11/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings over twenty times. MK left two voles with nestlings to eat on their own. MK in with a vole and feeding nestlings then FK came in and finished feeding it to nestlings. MK in with a vole and fed some to nestlings then out with the vole. FK and MK fed 69 insects to the nestlings, FK fed the majority. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       12/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. We will clean both cameras today. Cameras cleaned from 9:15am to 9:30am. Side camera hit with poop at 9:45am. FK fed vole to nestlings sixteen times and MK left three voles in nest box for nestlings. FK and MK fed over twenty insects to the nestlings, FK fed the majority. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       13/26         FK & 6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings twenty-three times. MK fed vole to nestlings three times, brought one in the nest box for FK to fed to nestlings and another MK left with nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK fed 86 insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       14/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. Cleaned both cameras start 7:08am done 7:20am. Side camera was hit with poop at 7:55am. Cameras will be cleaned for the last time on June 17/2026 which is banding day. Disturbing the nestlings after banding may cause premature fledge (leaving the nest box). FK fed vole to nestlings fifteen times. MK left two voles for nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK fed 85 insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       15/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. Banding day is near !! Can you guess the genders of our 6 nestlings. FK fed vole to nestlings fourteen times. MK left three voles for nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK fed 75 insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       16/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. Banding day is near !! Can you guess the genders of our 6 nestlings. FK fed vole to nestlings twelve times. MK left four voles for nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK fed 59 insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       17/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. Banding has taken place, the official genders are 3 male and 3 female. Congratulations to all that guessed correctly: from U.S.A Laurie, Mike and Suzanne; from Canada Doris and Linda. FK fed vole to nestlings twelve times. MK left five voles for nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK fed several insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       18/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. NOTE: we will not be cleaning the cameras from this point on. Due to it may cause premature fledging ( leaving the nest box ). FK fed vole to nestlings thirteen times and left two voles for nestlings to eat on their own. MK gave seven voles to nestlings. FK and MK fed 25 insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening. For the first time, JMK was up in door looking out.

JUNE       19/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. Once again today a JMK was up in door looking out and another time a JMK was clinging to the ledge looking out. As the fledge (leaving the nest) approaches, the nestlings will be competing with each other to spend time in the door. FK fed vole to nestlings ten times and left two voles for nestlings to eat on their own. MK gave eight voles to nestlings. FK and MK fed 59 insects to the nestlings. FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening.

JUNE       20/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings three times. FK gave six voles and MK gave nine voles to nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK gave nestlings 35 insects. Nestlings are flapping their wings a lot to build up strength and to get up in the door. 14 times there was a JMK in the door for several minutes and once for 13 minutes. 3 times there was a JFK in the door for several minutes. As it gets closer to fledge, a junior kestrel in the door will be continually occurring.

JUNE       21/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. You Can watch the June 17/2026 banding video on our You-Tube page and other Kestrel videos by clicking on this link     https://www.youtube.com/@NSC-g1p/videos FK fed vole to nestlings once. FK gave seven voles and MK gave ten voles to nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK gave nestlings 19 insects. Nestlings spending lots of time in the door looking outside and waiting for food to be delivered. Over twenty times a JMK, over a dozen times a JFK and once a JFK and JMK together in the door.

JUNE       22/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. Once again today FK and MK hunting from morning into the evening and gave the nestlings numerous voles and insects. Nestlings spending lots of time in the door and leaning out looking around. Will there be a fledge tomorrow?

JUNE       23/26        6 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK and FK slept elsewhere. At 7:20am first fledge - 1st JMK left the nest box. Who will be next? FK gave eight voles and MK gave eight voles to nestlings to eat on their own. FK also fed vole to nestlings twice. FK and MK gave nestlings 19 insects. In the morning nestlings flapping their wings and in door a lot but not as often the rest of the day, likely due to the steady rain. FK and MK spent a lot of time on H.M.K.T. throughout the day.

JUNE       24/26        5 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK, FK and 1 JMK slept elsewhere. FK fed vole to nestlings once. FK gave five voles and MK gave six voles to nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK gave nestlings thirty insects. Nestlings spending lots of time in the door and leaning out looking around. There wasn't a fledge today, will there be tomorrow?

JUNE       25/26        5 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK, FK and 1 JMK slept elsewhere. At 6:37am second fledge - 1st JFK left the nest box. FK gave two voles and MK gave six voles to nestlings to eat on their own. FK and MK also gave nestlings several insects. Throughout the day nestlings spent a lot of time in the door and several times two nestlings were together in the door. MK spending a significant amount of time close to the H.M.K.T. hunting and protecting the nest box. With four nestlings still in the nest box and two fledglings, FK and MK are being kept very busy from early morning into the evening.

JUNE       26/26        4 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK, FK, 1 JMK and 1 JFK slept elsewhere. At 6:01am third fledge - 2nd JFK left the nest box. At 8:40am fourth fledge - 2nd JMK left the nest box. Both FK and MK gave nestlings two voles and several insects. MK spending a lot of time close to the H.M.K.T. and once went in the nest box to see the nestlings. The last two nestlings spent time flapping their wings and in the door alone and together. Will the fledge be complete tomorrow?

JUNE       27/26        2 nestlings stayed the night in H.M.K.T. nest box MK, FK, 2 JMK and 2 JFK slept elsewhere. At 8:41am fifth fledge - 3rd JFK left the nest box. The last JMK is now alone in the nest box, will he fledge today too? At 9:38am sixth and final fledge - 3rd JMK left the nest box.

JUNE       28/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. The nest box is now empty, will any of the fledges return to the nesting area ? Throughout the day there was a lot of kestrel activity. FK and MK were on the H.M.K.T., KP poles and nearby hydro wires. The junior kestrels were also in the nesting area numerous times; on the H.M.K.T. and the roof, KP poles and the live stream outside camera roof. 2 JMKs and 2 JFKs were seen at the same time. This is a very promising sign that regular sightings may occur while FK and MK teach the fledglings how to hunt.

JUNE       29/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. MK and FK on H.M.K.T. several times throughout the day and evening. 2 JFKs and 1 JMK together on H.M.K.T. earlier in the day.

JUNE       30/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. Throughout the day and evening there was a lot of kestrel activity. FK and MK were on the H.M.K.T., KP poles and hydro wires. The junior kestrels were very active flying and on the ground bug hunting. Multiple junior kestrels spent hours together on the H.M.K.T.; door branch, under the nest box, the roof and various other perches. 3 JMKs and 2 JFKs were seen on the H.M.K.T. at the same time. Several times in the nesting area FK and MK delivered insects to junior kestrels and twice FK delivered a vole to a JMK and once to a JFK.

JULY      1/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. Throughout the day there was a lot of kestrel activity. FK and MK were on the H.M.K.T., KP poles and hydro wires. The junior kestrels were very active flying and on the ground bug hunting. Junior kestrels spent hours together on the H.M.K.T. and various other perches. 3 JMKs and 3 JFKs were seen at the same time.

JULY      2/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. Again today there was a lot of kestrel activity. The junior kestrels continued to group together and flying in and around the nesting area. Multiple times junior kestrels perched on the H.M.K.T., KP poles, hydro wires and nearby trees. A couple of times the junior kestrels were eating vole, once JMK stored a vole in an evergreen and another time JFK stored a vole in an evergreen. 3 JMKs and 2 JFKs were seen at the same time.

JULY      3/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. In the early morning FK was briefly on H.M.K.T. and later in the morning MK was briefly on H.M.K.T. There were no sightings of the junior kestrels today.

JULY      4/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. Just a reminder our LIVE STREAM will end on July 9/2026, Thanks to all who watched. In the morning MK was briefly on H.M.K.T. Again today there were no sightings of the junior ketrels.

JULY      5/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. Just a reminder our LIVE STREAM will end on July 9/2026. There were no kestrel sightings today.

JULY      6/26        MK, FK, 3 JMK’s and 3 JFK’s slept elsewhere. Just a reminder our LIVE STREAM will end on July 9/2026.