What would you do? Kestrel vs mallard

[wellies101]

Hi all

We have a nest box installed where I work, and for the last 2/3 weeks we've been enjoying the sights of a pair of Kestrels visiting and (I can only presume) incubating eggs. However, yesterday I received a message telling me of how a pair of mallards barged their way into the nest box and decided to take residence .

I viewed the nest box briefly today, no sign of mallards, but did see the male kestrel twice outside the box . I haven't been up to inpect the contents of the box, and don't worry, I would only look at the insides, nothing more.

My view on nature is to let it do its own thing all of the time. I have only stepped in once to end the suffering of a deer that had been paralyzed from the neck down follow a hit from a car .

Here's my poser for you. If I look in the nest box and find a mallard sat comfortably on her eggs, do I intervene to try and discourage them from nesting, hoping the Kestrels return? OR do I leave things be and see what unfolds?

I know what I'm going to do, but I wanted to see what everyone else made of the situation and what they'd do, if anything.

[Richard G.]

Sounds like a question for Harry Hill wellies...
Think I'd probably just leave them to sort it out themselves though, to be honest...

[ron1863]

I would also leave it as it is, you could toss the duck out but then the Kestrel might not return anyway

[solus]

Do nothing. Watch, wait and see what emerges at the end - if anything.

Quite honestly, if there is any chance that any bird may be incubating eggs, I don't think you should even go up to the box for a peek inside as that could disturb the birds and cause them to desert. Apart from anything else, it is illegal to knowingly disturb nesting birds.

[Jason Green]

...what he said!

I'd leave it to the kestral and mallard to sort out, TBH. Oh, and good one Richard

[aeshna5]

Agree, leave them be!

[wellies101]

I'm going to leave them and see what happens, but just wondered if the majority would do the same thing? Seems you would!

[Madelinew]

I'd leave alone too. If either were endangered, I'd consider intervention after seeking advice but I see plenty of both round here. I've seen 4 kestrels hovering over downland within the space of a mile recently.

[Pam_M]

I'd leave them alone too! Be good if you could update us on the eventual outcome!

[NicolaB]

Sounds like a question for Harry Hill wellies...

FIIIGHT!!!

I'd just leave them to it as well, keep us posted though!