The nesting habits of kestrels and woodpigeons

[nikolai_avenger]

Having just read on another thread about kestrels sometimes nesting in an old woodpigeons nest, this got me thinking about one of my local patches. This patch has an easily observable (from a distance) semi-open fronted nest box situated in a large tree.

When I first started observing it in 2009, woodpigeons nested in it.

In 2010, a pair of kestrels chose it for their nest site and managed to fledge (to the best of my knowledge) 3 chicks.

In 2011, although I waited and hoped for the kestrels again there was only a lot of woodpigeon activity all year.

What might I expect in 2012? Might kestrels use it again given that woodpigeons may have used it last year? Will woodpigeons even have considered using it last year given that kestrels had used it the year before?

Cheers. Nik.

[Dogghound]

Are you sure they weren't stock doves?

It's very hard to answer this kind of question as the number of factors is endless. A lot perhaps depends on when the pigeons decide to breed, they tend to breed earlier than kestrel so may take up the site before the kestrel are ready. Last years hard winter may have killed your local pair, they may have found a better site, pigeon numbers may have increase/decreased. The local habitat also influences it significantly too.

[Brocakat]

I've known 'Woodie' nests to compose of literally no more than 20 sticks.

I'm pleasantly suprsied that a Kestrel would consider that without adding greatly to it.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Brocakat

I've known 'Woodie' nests to compose of literally no more than 20 sticks.

I'm pleasantly suprsied that a Kestrel would consider that without adding greatly to it.

It probably wouldn't, wood pigeons often build on top of old nests which results in a decent base, especially when late broods are involved. It's these kestrel use, not the flimsy primary nests that wood pigeons are famous for.

[nikolai_avenger]

Yes, definitely woodpigeons in 2009. I have yet to record a stock dove on that patch even though it would probably be good habitat for them, consisting partly of farmland. The area also includes a stretch of the A50 heavily favoured by kestrels, which continued to be active in the area during last year, they just didn't use this particular site to nest. Woodpigeons numbers have remained the same throughout, I would say. I can appreciate it's very hard to answer such an open ended question though. From my observations I would say kestrels bred in the vicinity but at another nest site and as I unfortunately did not locate it was not able to see how many chicks fledged. Most of last year the tree was a roost for 20-30 woodpigeons and it`s looking that way again so far.

Cheers. Nik.