Kestrel Chicks Given ID Rings

I helped fit ID rings, known as ID Bands in America onto each of the kestrel chicks legs. Watch this video to see how I did it.
You can watch these kestrels live here:

WHAT ARE ID RINGS?
ID rings are a small metal ring that fits around the kestrels legs. Each one has a unique number so I will be able to identify these birds back to this nest for ever.

WHY PUT ID RINGS ON NOW?
It's important to put the ID rings onto the kestrels just before fledging. If you put a ring on when they are too small, you can leave the ring too loose and it can later get stuck either on their knee joint or over their knee. It isn't possible to capture them after they have fledged or flown the nest.

WHAT DID I HAVE TO DO?
First I checked to see that the parent's had fed the chicks that morning, when they had flown off I quickly climbed up to the nest. I don't use gloves as I feel it is important to be able to feel the chicks very well, I don't want to crush them or harm them and I feel using my bare hands is the best way to do this.

Then, I reached my arm inside - it is a long way inside the nest so I have to feel my way in as I can't see the chicks. One by one I took the kestrels out of the box and put them into a special bag. Then I climbed back down and handed them to Jean Thorpe of Ryedale Rehabilitation for ringing.

Jean Thorpe is very skilled at this task. She has done this many times before. She carefully put a band onto each little kestrel's leg one by one.

BACK INTO THE NEST
Now the chicks are rung it is time to put them back into the nest. I do this quietly and carefully. I try and be as gentle as I can and place the chicks one by one back into the nest. Then I head back inside to watch them on screens and to check that they are ok.

They look a bit quieter than usual as if to say 'what was that all about'? but before long they have already forgotten about it. Mr & Mrs Kestrel soon came in and delivered a nice meal for them to eat.

A good job, well done!

#kestrels #chicks #robertefuller #ringing #idbands

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I am a British wildlife artist based in Thixendale, North Yorkshire, UK. I build ideal habitats to encourage wildlife into my garden and use nest cams to study their behaviour. These studies inform my paintings. I share the best of my video research on this channel for free. If you would like to support my work please consider a small donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=A52ZHAMJZC3J4

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Видео Kestrel Chicks Given ID Rings канала Robert E Fuller