Day out with Michael Nailard…….

I joined Michael, Chairman from “The Woodland, Flora and Fauna Group” at some of his sites today to check on some Kestrel chicks which needed ringing.

We found a beautiful brood of 4 healthy pulli in a barn owl box near Poynings. Last year we ringed a family of barn owls, so this box is very productive. It looks out over a beautiful vista of the Downs and is grazed by sheep.

Kestrels prefer grassland habitats where they can hunt for small mammals and birds to feed their fast growing chicks.

Despite the birds being adaptable and using both cavities or nest boxes they continue to decline in numbers, the cause of which remains unclear (BTO, 2025).

Whilst common in the UK with around 31k pairs they are Amber listed as a species of concern.

The average laying time is in May and these beautiful falcons have one clutch (typically) each year. They lay 4-5 speckled brown eggs and these are incubated by the female. (occasionally the male) for around 28 days. The chicks fledge at 32-37 days.

Young Kestrel chick (downy)

Michael with a freshly ringed Kestrel chick.

We visited 2 properties near Ashurst, one where the owners had installed a barn owl box in an oak tree which had had a pair of owls visiting up until the last 12 months when the box was taken over by Jackdaws.

The photos below show me clearing out the box of mud and sticks brough in by the Jackdaws. Hopefully the owls will move back in next year when some of the tree branches are removed to give a clear view of the box from the adjacent field.

Not the most glamorous job!

Dust cloud from old Jackdaw nesting material.

The other box was at an adjacent property in a beautful old metal barn. The home owner had constructed a stunning owl box which was mounted 15 feet up in the barn. This box was being used by a Stock Dove who had one egg.

In another barn at the property there was evidence of a Barn Owl roost with fresh pellets so we have suggested putting up another box in this barn to compliment the existing box.