Battle of the Oak

This morning saw the hard work of catching up on all I couldn't do yesterday for the lack of electricity. I managed to post the back blip if you're interested.

It's been another horribly dull day with sporadic showers. The female Kestrel has been sat on her nest almost continually during the bad weather but this morning she wasn't alone.

I saw the crows bombing but amazingly it wasn't the female, who was avoiding a heavy cloudburst in her shelter. I counted three Kestrels in the air. By the time I'd retrieved the camera and fitted a long lens, the female was up and chasing the birds, whilst most of the crows rested on the upper branches.

My presumption that her young had long gone was obviously erroneous. As it was quite dark I can't really see if the father was involved in the chase or if the lost third chick was with it's siblings.

Not a particularly good photo as the light was poor and slightly back lit, but here are all four kestrels and a crow in the air. Hard to believe, but it is in colour!