Local photographer captures kestrels mating

(Above) The image of kestrels mating taken by John McCauley.

A local photographer has captured the rare sight of kestrels mating.

The image was taken by well known lensman John McCauley at a rural location on Tuesday.

John, who works with the Westmeath Examiner in a freelance capacity, says that spending time in nature has helped keep his spirits up during the pandemic, but capturing the kestrels mating has undoubtedly been the stand-out moment.

“The birds nested in this particular place last year and I went down to see if they were there again this year. I just happen to be lucky enough to be there with the camera. It was fantastic to watch it. I took it from my car with a long lens so that I wouldn't interfere with nesting or anything else.”

(Above) The female kestrel, photographed by John McCauley yesterday.

The kestrel is Ireland's most common bird of prey. However, it was recently placed on BirdWatch Ireland's red list, making it a species of “high conservation concern”.

BirdWatch Ireland's Niall Hatch says that its numbers have “plummeted and are in a downward decline”.

“We are not fully sure of the reason but there are probably a few things hitting them. Changes in agriculture have definitely hit them, the intensification of farming, and the use of rat poison is having an effect because it is getting into their food chain through the rats and mice that they eat. That is affecting them badly and it is affecting the barn owl, which has a similar diet.

“They are not as frequent a sight as they used to be, so we are worried about them. The speed and nature of the decline is why they are on the red list.”

(Above) The male kestrel. Photo by John McCauley.

Mr Hatch says that the photograph of the birds mating is “remarkable”.

“Birds of prey by their very nature are very secretive, especially when it comes to mating and breeding activities they keep a low profile. Also, when birds of prey mate it is an extremely quick process. It only lasts a couple of seconds, he did very well to capture it so clearly. It is an opportunity to get to see a species that is now sadly on the red list in Ireland. It's a sight that fewer and fewer people will be able to see.”