Following the Journey of Our Resident Kestrel Pair - Hover & Dash
Earlier this season, a pair of Common Kestrels began inspecting one of the monitored nest boxes I have installed on a farm that places wildlife and the environment at its heart. The farm also hosts several other owl and bird-of-prey boxes which are also fitted with remote cameras and monitored on a daily basis.
At first, their visits were brief — a quick landing, a glance inside, then away again. However, over the past month, the pattern has shifted. The returns became more frequent, inspections lasted longer, and the female began roosting nightly and filling the box with pellets. It’s now clear — this box is theirs.
We’ve named them Hover (female) and Dash (male) — perfect names for a species known for remarkable hovering and lightning-fast hunting dives.
This page will follow their story through carefully selected video clips and images captured remotely from the nest box entrance. There is no disturbance or interference — just the unfolding of their natural behaviour as they progress through the season. Each update includes a short summary, a dated clip, behaviour notes, and a place for your observations and questions to be left in the comments at the foot of the page.
The Common Kestrel remains one of Britain’s most recognisable birds of prey, yet numbers have declined due to habitat loss and reduced prey. Providing secure nest boxes and monitoring them helps support breeding, record behaviour, and share moments most people would never otherwise see.
Think of this as a field diary — one that will evolve and build over the season. Wildlife rarely follows a script, and that unpredictability is what makes remote monitoring and photographing it so compelling.
So, for now, sit back and follow their story as it unfolds — if it does. I hope this small window into their world not only brings you closer to these remarkable birds, but also inspires greater awareness and support for conserving this wonderful species.
Latest Update:
Date: 14th February 2026
Clip Title: Amazing Food Exchange
What We’re Seeing:
In this short clip, Dash appears at the box with a small bird which Hover quickly snatches off him. Make sure you have the sound on to hear their vocal calls.
Community Notes:
Did you notice what species of bird Dash had caught and shared with Hover?
Your observations and questions are always welcome in the comments box below.
How You Can Get Involved
Even without a live feed, you can still play a part.
Help identify prey species in clips
Leave any questions you might have in the comments box below
Share this page with others who care about birds of prey and would like to see their story unfold.
The more eyes watching, the more we learn.
Welfare First
This nest box is remotely monitored via 4G networked cameras and Hover and Dash are never disturbed. Their welfare is always the top priority. Should chick ringing be required, it will be undertaken by a Schedule 1 licensed bird ringer, with whom I remain in regular contact across this and other bird-of-prey nest box projects.
