Too Wet to Hunt

Hungry little birds today. The rain hasn't ceased since early morning so the Kestrels haven't been out of their nest. Their staple diet consists of voles, mice, insects and the odd little bird, few of which are around in this gelid weather. Instead of hunting, they've spent the most part of the day forlornly watching the world from this position.
The squabbles of the other day seem resolved. I've not seen the invaders since they were chased away. Pairs are formed mostly for life and don't move territory unless forced to. They use nest boxes readily as in nature they use other large birds old nests or ledges and don't build their own. Although Kestrels can forage within as much as a 10 square kilometre range, they share most of this area with other birds, only defending a small patch adjacent to their nest They should lay eggs at the end of next month or the beginning of April, if all goes well. If there is a shortage of food, which is unlikely around here, the female may fail to lay.

I wasn't happy either, when I ran out of milk and had to leave my home earlier. The water running off the hill is severe and the road is one massive puddle!
I did a very early run to Heathrow this morning. The early rain froze as it fell, making the road outside treacherous. A major bang announced a car had hit the ice at high speed at 4am, giving me an earlier start than I wanted. I found not frost but a thick layer of ice on the car, which didn't make for a quick get away. At the road, the extent of the accident became clear. One major sign post bent double and the sign destroyed, 2 wooden stumps uprooted, debris scattered and the island showing signs of a roof skid of some considerable distance.

Drive safely folks!