The Kestrel Visit
This week the group had a very special visitor to the home of the NNRG at Philadelphia. When work commenced this week like it does most weeks and days Kyle could hear something unique, not unusual for the depot. As many know we have birds and owls make regular visits to the depot but soon move on. Probably due to the noise and smoke from some vehicles.
After a while the sound become more like a distress call and this time decided to investigate further.
Kyle went to try and locate where this distress call was coming from and to his astonishment he found a young kestrel walking around the depot. Kyle had looked to see if he could find a nest in our building however couldn’t find one.
Sourced from the Woodlands Trust - Kestrels have light-brown plumage with dark spots. Males have a grey-blue head, while females are all brown. The species has pointed wings and a tail that appears long in flight and fan-shaped when the bird is hovering.
With a typical wing span of around 75cm and weighing up to 250g, they are roughly the size of a magpie. Kestrels can be found across the UK in a variety of habitats. They tend to hunt in open spaces with long grass as this is prime field-vole habitat. The birds rarely venture far into woodland, but will nest and hunt along wood edges.
The UK’s kestrel population has fallen by half since 1970. It is not known exactly why the species is declining, but a number of factors have been suggested. Agricultural intensification may have reduced field vole numbers. Meanwhile, kestrels are suffering secondary poisoning by eating voles and mice that have eaten poison meant for rats. Loss of nesting sites, such as old trees with cavities, is also a possible factor.
With a kestrel located in the shed Kyle quickly jumped into action and searched the internet, local vets and other organisations was passed over the number for a charity organisation pawz who quickly came out to the rescue.
Pawz for Thought is a small but very active animal charity operating throughout the North East of England. It was formed as a positive response to the distressingly high number of animal welfare issues in the region.
When the charity arrived the kestrel had gone very quiet and we could not find. It was found under 4681 currently in major restoration and found she had jumped into the oil tray (which was empty). The charity rescued the kestrel, took a few photos and was pleased to inform us there was no damage to feathers or wings and has been rescued to which she will bathed, fed and brought back to health before been released back into the wild.
On behalf of the Northern National Restoration Group we thank you for all your help