Hi Oli,

The wet weather last year had an impact on breeding success of most raptor (and other) species, in addition there doesn't appear to be a great deal of small mammal activity in the area.

I checked getting on for 30 Tawny Owl boxes with only 3 occupied and only 1 of those made it to small young stage and the only prey in the box was avian (magpie and sparrowhawk).

Also I think that it is fair to say that the season seems to be running late, so where hunting pairs might have been more noticeable at this time in previous years, there is a good chance that the female is still sat on eggs/small young.

Could you send me a message with the location of the destroyed Kestrel nest, I have a spare Kestrel box here that I could put up for next year.

Regards

Mike


-- Edited by Mike Price on Monday 3rd of June 2013 02:29:05 PM

I really hoped this year would be a turning point for raptors, with the RPSB taking over a few local moors. However I can only assume that the weather has played a hand in such low raptor numbers. The kestrel nest I enjoy watching every year in Tintwistle has been destroyed and unless its just me there are very few raptors in general.

Has anyone else got the same impression or have I just had a bad few weeks birding.

Regards Oli

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 2nd of June 2013 10:22:52 PM