Chasing Common Kestrels

Arriving in the park I see a male Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus.

I think it may have a couple of ticks on its face.

It’s comical to see it scratch its face.

Then it’s off, and crash-lands into a tree:

The grey head and grey tail with chestnut brown speckled back are beautiful. I wonder if it’s had a successful hunt. It flies off in the opposite direction with what looks like an insect in its claws:

I wait to see if it’ll come back.

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That’s a lovely flypast. Last time I was here I saw a Kestrel catch a mouse and fly past holding it:

The Kestrel and the mouse

Later I spot a male again. I wonder if it’s the same one. This one has just swooped down onto the grass and plucked up a worm. I suppose that’ll do in the absence of mice:

Then I realise there are two of them. Two Kestrels; and there’s an aerial battle:

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Wow!