Hole In The Wall
This week I have spent six mornings looking at a hole in the wall. Inside were four young Kestrels and during the week they have been appearing at the entrance and are now fledging. Prey has been voles, mice and a frog and both adults have shared the task of providing the prey but visits have only averaged out at thirty minute intervals, so there has been a good deal of waiting. Kestrels in general this year have had some success with another site nearby also with young. The hot weather has provided voles and mice with good breeding conditions and the Kestrels have benefitted.
The one day I did not spend on the Kestrels I visited the North Staffordshire moors on a day of fantastic clarity and a maximum temperature of thirty one degrees! It was good to watch two juvenile Peregrines being fed by the female on a rocky outcrop. Perfect conditions for Hobbies but none seen. One of my favourite flowers, Bog Asphodel, was just beginning to flower.
Along the river Hodder Kingfishers are now contemplating second broods, Common Sandpipers have young and in the meadows nearby we have many Meadow Brown butterflies that have been enjoying the recent hot weather.
Gordon Yates
July 5, 2009
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