Kestrel

[Outdoor Miner]

This little Kestrel was brought to me unable to fly but without obvious injury . I kept him for three days during which he perked up , fed and was released successfully . He had a BTO ring so I was interested to hear some of his history - he had hatched about 80 miles away . I must admit to being surprised to discover that he was only 10 months old - I had guessed him to be older .

[The True Hawker]

Well done mate

[BradazTheFalconer]

Nice one and great of the BTO for getting back to you with his background.

Regards,

Bradley

[René]

If he was unable to fly when brought to you, how did you confirm his ability to fly and successfully hunt for himself prior to release?

[Outdoor Miner]

Sorry Rene - just spent ages writing an incredibly detailed explanation with which I was pretty pleased - only to be told that it had "timed out" , so lost the lot ! Anyway , more briefly . Circumstantial evidence suggested he may have been suffering the effects of pesticide poisoning . My guess being via a vole contaminated during topical weed killer use in the area , which I had noticed a couple of days previously . He was brought to me after examination by a Vet .During his period in custody he ate some mice , and when he brightened right up and became impatient with his confinement, I observed how he moved when loosed in a Farm shed - which seemed perfect . I was delighted when he zoomed towards the horizon on home ground .
David .

[Stu Bailey]

I found a dead Buzzard a few years ago that had a bto ring..

Turned out to be three years old and I found it only 12 km from the nest it was rung from which I thought was quite a suprise