Kestrel EL79274: This was your life!

Despite ringing c80 pullus annually in recent years, we get (unlike Barn Owls) very few recoveries or controls. So, knowing the life history of EL79274 is unusual. It goes like this:

• 14 June 2007 - She was ringed by Pete as a female pullus in box B397 near Newton, and was part of a clutch of six. Over the last seven seasons, 27 Kestrel chicks have being ringed in this Barn Owl pole box. The landowners hope for BOs very year, but are somewhat mollified that theirs is one of our best Kestrel nest boxes.
• 18 June 2008 - I caught her in the nest box on small chicks in box K377. A movement of 12 km and probably, our first live Kestrel recovery in a long while. She fledged two chicks that year.
• 2009 - Box K377 had a female Kestrel come off five eggs, but four addled eggs were found later.
• 9 June 2010 - Libby and I found her long dead on five eggs. Cause of death unknown.

A sad end, but nice to have a full story of the life of one of 'our' birds.
Jim