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

This female kestrel has just laid her first egg of the season. We call her Athena and this is her fourth year nesting here. Thankfully this experienced female is resilient. Over the last few months Athena and her mate Apollo have battled jackdaws to keep their nest. And it seems today is no different. The jackdaws arrive outside. Athena eyes them up and lunges at the intruders. But as she drops back inside her tail feathers knock the egg. I'm hoping there's no harm done. Despite Athena's efforts the jackdaws are undeterred until male kestrel Apollo attacks, scaring them off for now. Laying an egg takes its toll. Each one weighs about 10% of Athena's body weight. So after laying this morning Athena's in need of food. She perks up when she hears Apollo outside who's arrived to deliver a vole. Female kestrels hump less in the breeding season and are mainly fed by males until their chicks are about 10 days old. Both male and female take turns brooding the eggs. So while Athena is out Apollo gets comfortable. Kestrels begin incubation in short bursts gradually increasing their time on the eggs as the clutch grows. Apollo leaves a few minutes later but the egg isn't unguarded for long. Athena arrives pursued by jackdaws fending them off from entering. And thankfully they soon leave. In the afternoon Athena rests in the entrance. She starts calling when Apollo arrives for the lizard. But as he rushes inside a jackdaw lands in and both kestrels make a speedy exit. The egg is left unattended but the jackdaws aren't overly inquisitive today. Kestrels choose nests with a layer of substrate on the floor as cushioning for the eggs. But in recent weeks the jackdaws have removed a lot of the nesting material making the floor hard and unforgiving. To make the eggs safer I'm putting some new wood chippings while the kestrels are out. Athena is first to return. Taking a quick look at the home improvements before jumping in to settle down on the egg. After a short bout of brooding she heads outside. Spending the night guarding the nest. Just after dawn Apollo lands on a branch with a vole. He almost seems to tease Athena with it. Eventually flying off with Athena close behind. Having passed on his catch Apollo arrives to guard their egg. But he's barely stepped in before he hears Athena outside. She hops in and carefully tucks the precious egg under her feathers. Meanwhile Apollo is busy hunting. As Athena sits in the entrance he returns with the lizard he's caught. It's great to see Athena is so well cared for. That night Athena guards the entrance once again. And in the morning she returns to her egg. Kestrels lay eggs once every two days and right on cue she settles in looking ready to lay. Apollo lands outside as if protecting his mate. With her body close to the floor she lays a second egg 47 hours after the first. She tucks the new egg safely under her. Apollo sets out to hunt. Athena will be hungry again soon. When she hears him return she rushes to the entrance calling out. He's brought a vole which he passes to her inside the nest. And as she eats outside he sees the second egg for the first time. But when jackdaws arrive Athena starts calling. And Apollo's back in action leaping outside to deal with them. Athena soon goes in settling down to take a nap. Laying eggs is hard work. Two days later Athena takes in the sunrise. It will soon be time for a third egg so she takes a moment to tidy up inside. But as she gets comfortable jackdaws arrive. Thankfully Apollo's around. But after he leaves the jackdaws are back. Athena's clearly distressed. But then Apollo returns to guard. Calmed by a mate protecting her Athena settles in ready to lay. Shortly after he leaves she reveals a third egg. Before long Apollo's back to take over incubation duties. He's been busy hunting for himself and his mate so he takes this time for a well-earned rest. Athena's not gone long and Apollo soon makes a quick exit. She starts to settle down aware of the jackdaws outside. With so much disturbance this laying period has not been easy on the kestrels. That night as she sleeps Athena hears a noise outside. This time it's a barn owl interested in the nest. When the owl peeks inside Athena leaps at the intruder. And thankfully it soon takes flight. But this isn't the last of her troubles. In the morning the jackdaws return. Athena's quick to react. But this doesn't put them off for long. They're soon back this time with sticks. There's a real risk Athena could be trapped inside. But she's not giving in without a fight. She leaps at them repeatedly. Defending her eggs with determination. Despite her best efforts the jackdaws continue to bring in nesting material. So she heads to the entrance calling at them aggressively. And takes flight to take them on. Apollo arrives to guard their clutch. And Athena is soon back calling at the jackdaws to see them off. It's great to see the pair working together to protect their eggs. The following morning Athena tidies up inside. It's time for her to lay again. She soon reveals her fourth egg. Over the following days Apollo continues to provide for her. Despite bother from the jackdaws she goes on to lay a fifth egg. And then a sixth to complete the clutch. Despite relentless battles with jackdaws. And even a barn owl encounter. The kestrels determination has never wavered. Together they fiercely defended their nest. With Athena bravely guarding the eggs. And Apollo providing food and protection. Through teamwork and resilience Athena's laid a full clutch of six eggs. And with such a strong partnership these kestrels are ready for whatever lies ahead.