Kestrels Fight to Keep Eggs Safe | Apollo & Athena | Robert E Fuller скачать в хорошем качестве

Kestrels Fight to Keep Eggs Safe | Apollo & Athena | Robert E Fuller

As kestrels Apollo & Athena lay their fourth clutch in four years at Ash Wood, they face multiple challenges. Date filmed: April 2024 Join this channel to support my work and get access to perks:    / @robertefuller   Watch kestrels Apollo & Athena on my live nest cam: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and follow their story in this playlist:   • Kestrels 🦅 Apollo & Athena | Wild Liv...   ABOUT THIS FILM ____________________ Kestrel Athena Athena has just laid her first egg of the season at Ash Wood. It's her fourth clutch in four years at this site. Jackdaw intruders But the season has been marred by constant attacks from jackdaws and already she has to leave her egg to fight off a new attack. As she drops back inside, her tail feathers knock the egg. I’m hoping there’s no harm done. Egg laying Laying an egg takes its toll — each egg weighs around 10% of Athena’s bodyweight and requires a lot of energy to produce So, when Apollo arrives at the nest with a vole she devours it. Incubation Kestrels begin incubation in short bursts shortly after the first egg is laid, gradually increasing their time on the eggs as the clutch grows. Male and female kestrels take turns to brood their eggs, although the female does the majority of the share. Nest floor Kestrels choose nests with a layer of substrate on the nest floor as cushioning for their eggs. But in recent weeks, the jackdaws have removed a lot of the nesting material, making the floor hard and unforgiving. To make the nest safer, I put in some new wood chippings while the kestrels are out. When Athena returns she seems to give the home improvements a quick once over before jumping in to settle down on the egg. Apollo provides As Athena incubates, Apollo spends his time hunting for food and bringing in treats. We see him deliver voles and even a lizard. It’s great to see that Athena is so well cared for. Egg No.2 Kestrels lay once every two days, and right on cue, Athena settles into the nest ready to lay. As she lays her tail dips down, close to the floor, Jackdaws are back But as this kestrel mum-to-be settles into a routine of incubating, sleeping and feeding, the jackdaws continue to circle and Apollo must work round the clock to keep the nest safe. Egg No.3 Two days later, Athena takes in the sunrise. It’ll soon be time for a third egg, so she takes some time to tidy up inside. Then, just as she gets comfortable, more jackdaws arrive! Apollo is quick to respond and Athena, calmed by his presence, lays a third egg. Barn owl encounter That night as she sleeps, Athena hears a noise outside. It’s a barn owl, interested in the nest. When the owl peeks inside, Athena leaps at the intruder. Jackdaws attempt a takeover The owl is the least of her worries. That morning, the jackdaws return and begin to build a nest with Athena inside. She leaps at them repeatedly. Thankfully Apollo arrives and together they see off this latest invasion. Eggs Nos 4, 5 & 6 Over the following days she lays another three eggs, closely supported by Apollo, and together this formidable pair settle down into the routine of guarding and caring for their precious clutch. ABOUT ME ____________ I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers. You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: https://www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here! You can also follow me on these platforms: Website: https://www.robertefuller.com Facebook:   / robertefullerart   Twitter:   / robertefuller   Instagram:   / robertefuller   CHAPTERS _____________ 00:00 Kestrel Athena with 1st egg 00:29 Nest intruders 00:38 Kestrel egg gets knocked 01:05 Egg laying process 01:23 Male Apollo's role is to bring food 01:43 Kestrel egg incubation 02:38 Jackdaws removed nesting material 02:53 I restore nesting material 04:59 Egg No.2 06:00 Apollo admires egg 07:50 Egg No.3 08:51 Barn owl gets too close 09:25 Jackdaw attack 11:16 Egg No.4 11:43 Egg No.5 11:49 Egg No.6 12:21 Clutch is complete ___________________ © Robert E Fuller Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to re-upload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: [email protected] #robertefuller #kestrel #robertfullerwildlifecams