Kestrel in my chicken run!

[Chicalina]

I've covered my run loosely with bird netting whilst we had avian flu lockdown here in the UK. I've had to rescue a few sparrows and blue tits who got inside, but today it was a male kestrel!

It was absolutely beautiful and I'm so glad it flew away fine without any apparent injuries, when I lifted the net.

I don't believe it was predating my chickens. Even as bantams they are way bigger. It was only the size of a wood pigeon. I've got a family of mice or voles who help themselves to my chicken pellet buffet so probably it was hunting them.

Anyway, what an experience!

I've got teensy bantam chicks the size of sparrows in another enclosed pen, so I'm very happy it didn't get in there! Though the broody mama hen would have given it short shrift.

Where was my rooster in all this kerfuffle? Safely retreated to the coop with his ladies. Not sure if I should be proud of him or disappointed!!

I know this is nowhere near similar to the experiences of the US people here, because you've got REAL predators. But I thought I'd share a little bit of British raptor shenanigans.

BTW, I often have red kites flying overhead each day but luckily they've never stopped by. And they are HUGE!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Beautiful! Glad it left unscathed.

After hawk attacks on my chickens, I was used to running out and scaring away any hawk I saw by shouting and clapping my hands, whistling at it. I saw a tiny one (later identified as a kestrel) and shooed it away, too. Later, I learned that they eat insects and other small animals, so my chickens weren't in danger.

 

[TwoShepherds]

What a beauty! Glad all your chickens are okay!

 

[Chicalina]

Beautiful! Glad it left unscathed.

After hawk attacks on my chickens, I was used to running out and scaring away any hawk I saw by shouting and clapping my hands, whistling at it. I saw a tiny one (later identified as a kestrel) and shooed it away, too. Later, I learned that they eat insects and other small animals, so my chickens weren't in danger.

Yeah, I had to go online and double check what they ate just to be sure. They are welcome to come and keep the mice down, because my bantams don't go for mice at all. When I used to keep large fowl they would.

Thankfully, the Jackdaws around here chase off the Kites. Although usually scavengers, Kites will take small birds and mammals if they are hungry. They are beautiful though.