A couple of weeks ago, we reported on a rather special and unexpected surprise, when our female squirrel gave birth to four rusty coloured little bundles. The youngsters have since been doing really well, and in the last few days have left the comfort of their mother’s drey to explore their new home. They have been seen playing tag, climbing the fir trees and generally having a wonderful time.
A pause for breath...
Now you see me....
... and off we go again!
Trying to record their exploits, as they flit frenziedly from place to place, has proved no simple feat, but Head Falconer Matt has demonstrated endless patience in his quest to document these most beguiling of creatures.
To go or not to go… that is the question for one recovered Kestrel!
Successful rehabilitation stories are the ones we like best here at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary and we are chuffed to announce the release of a young female kestrel, which came to us at the Sanctuary in June this year. She was found locally after her nest had been destroyed by crows.
Unfortunately, the nest was then abandoned by the parents and the poor chick was on the ground, still being harassed by the crows when she was discovered. Luckily, apart from being too young to fend for herself, the Kestrel had suffered no physical injuries and so it was just a question of monitoring her, feeding her and giving her a safe, calm environment to grow up in.
In the meantime Andy set to, to make a hack box in preparation for the time when the Kestrel could be released.
Local farmer Bob Kruz does the honours once again as he helps us with the release of injured birds back to the wild
She was placed in the hack box ten days previous to being released and, once she had settled down in her environment, local landowner Bob Kruz was on hand to open the meshed front of the box, so that the young bird could fly free.
For several years Bob has allowed us to release a number of birds of prey and owls from his land, so we thought it would be a nice gesture to ask Bob to let the Kestrel go. Surprisingly, she had other thoughts and was quite happy to sit there in her box for a while, surveying the world beyond. When we checked later that afternoon, however, she had gone.