Kestrels Overcome Adversity as Chicks Hatch & Grow | Apollo & Athena | Robert E Fuller

Kestrels Apollo & Athena faced many challenges as their chicks hatched. This story follows this kestrel couple as they overcome their differences and work together to fight off intruders and find enough food for their chicks during the lean 2022 breeding season.

Watch Apollo & Athena interact live on my nest cam: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx09JDaWUEFPocIUijCjOMU5rY8a_QugD and follow their story in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx09JDaWUEFOZ-jHdba9bm0HrYDJyT8X8

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*ABOUT THIS FILM*
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Bird of prey attack

Not only did the kestrels have to battle buzzards and tawny owls, but jackdaws and a barn owl also threatened to enter their nest

Six eggs

With a full clutch of eggs to protect, the pair worked tirelessly to keep their nest safe. Watch as Apollo chases a jackdaw away.

Apollo & Athena

For this kestrel couple, battles are commonplace. Not only must they constantly fight to keep their eggs safe, but there is often also a lot of tension inside the nest too.

Athena

Athena is a formidable falcon and in this relationship she is the one who calls the shots. Watch her cluck angrily at Apollo when it is her turn to brood. She is impatient for her turn and is so busy berating him she barely notices that she is blocking his exit.

Incubation

Meanwhile Apollo does his best to please. Watch him squeeze past her and head off to hunt. Later, when the eggs are due to hatch, she takes over the role full time.

Chicks hatch

35 days after it was laid, the first chick hatches. It’s covered in white downy feathers and it’s eyes are closed. Then, four hours later, the second emerges and Apollo arrives to inspect his new offspring.

First days

The two older chicks eyes are already open at less than 12 hours old, the 5th hatches the next day but it is a full two days before the sixth and final chick hatches.

Apollo hunts

Apollo must now work hard to feed his family. But Athena is hard to please and he looks increasingly confused.

Lean pickings

It soon becomes clear that food is scarce and when Athena also returns from hunting episodes with just a few worms I grow worried for the chicks.

Youngest chick is weak

The youngest chick is a lot smaller than the others …and eventually I decide to intervene. It is always a difficult decision when animals are wild, but at 11 days old this chick was closer to the size you would expect a 4 or 5 day old chick to be.

Sad loss

Despite my best efforts this tiny kestrel chick sadly passed away. It is such a shame but with less beaks to feed the other five chicks soon began to thrive.

Next time

Join me next time to see these kestrel chicks get their ID rings and prepare to take their first look at the world beyond the nest.

*ABOUT ME*
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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
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*CHAPTERS*
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00:00 Athena and Apollo in nest
00:23 Jackdaws intrude
00:48 Athena traps Apollo in nest
01:45 Apollo delivers prey
02:22 Barn owl Orion visits
02:53 Kestrel food pass
03:42 Athena incubates eggs for last time
04:08 First chick hatches
04:19 Second chick hatches
04:36 Apollo sees chicks for first time
05:08 Third chick hatches
05:15 Fourth chick hatches
05:39 Fifth chick hatches
05:53 Sixth chick hatches
06:21 Apollo delivers food
07:56 Athena also hunts
08:28 Chicks get just worms
09:04 Trying to rescue youngest chick
10:26 Next Time...

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© 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: mail@robertefuller.com

#robertefuller #kestrel #falcon #wildlives #apolloandathena

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