Chasing Common Kestrels
Arriving in the park I see a male Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus.
![Kestrel - Parco della Caffarella - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Caffarella-The-Hall-of-Einar-0701-725x483.jpg)
I think it may have a couple of ticks on its face.
![Kestrel - Parco della Caffarella - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Caffarella-The-Hall-of-Einar-0685.jpg)
It’s comical to see it scratch its face.
Then it’s off, and crash-lands into a tree:
![Kestrel - Parco della Caffarella - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Caffarella-The-Hall-of-Einar-0708-725x483.jpg)
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:
![Kestrel - Parco della Caffarella - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Caffarella-The-Hall-of-Einar-0725-725x408.jpg)
I wait to see if it’ll come back.
That’s a lovely flypast. Last time I was here I saw a Kestrel catch a mouse and fly past holding it:
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:
![Kestrel - Parco della Caffarella - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Caffarella-The-Hall-of-Einar-0933-725x483.jpg)
Then I realise there are two of them. Two Kestrels; and there’s an aerial battle:
Wow!