Art Blog #170

'The Kestrel' - Some facts and figures and a cheeky poem for my favourite species

'The Kestrel'

‘A favourite bird of mine, so a tribute through poetry I share’

The Kestrel, an engineering marvel and a magnificent sight in the air, ‘

'A menacing, hovering and cunning hunter that strikes from above in a particular and unique way'

'Gliding along woodland hedges, a common and captivating sight across the UK every day.'  

'They dine on voles, mice, birds, Invertebrates and shrews,'

'They can hover, fly or hold their position in the wind, to fulfil the strategy that they choose,'

'Their eyesight is a marvel as they can see insects from fifty metres away,'

'With an Ultra-violet adaptation that can detect, amongst others, the urine trails of their prey.'    

'Voles are their mainstay and a vital source of their living,'

'So voles, trees for nesting and positive farming practices are crucial for their survival and thriving.'

'Their camouflaged plumage is light brown with dark spots that mesmerise and enhance,'

'In flight with pointed wings and fan tailed, they seem to sway, shimmer and dance,  

'This species most likely came from East Africa and are roughly 2 million years old,'

'With archaic names like ‘wind-hover’ and wind-fucker’, well that’s what I was told,

'So why are these birds favourites of mine in a world packed with uniqueness, beauty and evolutionary marvel.

Its due to their tenacity, cunning and in flight acrobatic that seemingly has no equal,  

'So next time you are passing hedge rows, woodlands and telegraph poles and notice something hovering in flight.'

'Admire this aeronautical genius, the Kestrel, marvel of nature, true beauty and a magnificent sight.'

Overview Courtesy of Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) - British

Birds - Woodland Trust 

The kestrel is a vole specialist, with the field vole accounting for the majority of its diet. It will also take mice and shrews, as well as small birds and occasionally worms and insects. Birds are taken more often in places where voles are scarce, such as in urban areas. Several hunting techniques are used by kestrels, but the most well-known is the hover. A kestrel will fly into the wind and use its tail and wings to hold its position in the air. Keeping its eyes fixed on the ground, it will swiftly drop to pounce on any prey sighted. With extremely sharp eyesight, kestrels can spot a beetle from 50 metres away. They can even see ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the human eye. This means they can detect the urine trails left by rodents on the ground, helping the birds locate their prey.

Courtesy of www.connorcontemporary.com