Four hunting Kestrels

On my way back from my visit to the Los Hurones Reservoir, I spotted some Kestrels hovering low over a field. I pulled the car over and had a closer look at what was going on. There were a whopping four of them! The wind was coming from the other side, so initially I only got to photograph them from behind.

Hovering Kestrel

I thought I would be able to take better pictures from the other side of the field, so after walking cautiously for a few minutes I managed to reach a better position.

Photo taken from the other side of the field

The four Kestrels were hunting for food together and were not really bothered by my presence. I wore camouflage clothes and hid in the bushes but they must have noticed me. Yet they didn't care, there was too much food in the field I guess. It was still relatively difficult to get good sharp pictures because they were still at least fifty metres away. 


During the time I spent watching them, their dives were a few times successful and the birds were rewarded with some big insects.

Dive-bombing to catch something edible in the field

Female Kestrel with a large insect

Kestrel flying low over the field

I was photographing the Kestrels from a pleasant shady spot between some reed beds and could hear a small stream behind me and smelled mint. I was fortunate to spot some other birds that perched on a nearby branch.

Common Redstart


Pied Flycatcher

After three quarters of an hour, the Kestrels moved to a nearby field. Time to head home for me as well.