Brave Kestrel Mum Raises Chicks Alone | Jeff & Jenny | Wild Lives | Robert E Fuller

Jenny the kestrel showed incredible fortitude as she brought up her three chicks alone. Watch her work tirelessly to feed and care for them.
Date filmed: June-August 2023
Watch Jenny live on my nest cam: • Live From Fotherdale |... and follow their story in this playlist: • Kestrels 🦅 Jeff & Jen...
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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Food supply
Female kestrels don’t normally hunt to provide food for their chicks, but after Jenny’s partner Jeff disappeared following an altercation with a red kite, Jenny was forced to provide for her brood.
Thankfully, she was already accustomed to feeding from a post in my garden where I usually leave out extra food for the birds of prey here.
Whilst Jenny’s chicks were young, I put out extra food so that this single mum kestrel could collect meals for her chicks without leaving the nest for too long.
Chicks grow
At two weeks, Jenny could leave them for longer periods. At mealtimes they became boisterous. Watch one chick snatches the food from her, but despite its can-do attitude, it hasn’t worked out how to feed itself just yet.
Jenny hunts
Now the chicks are older, Jenny can hunt for her family again. On her first hunting trip, she returns with a vole she’s caught.
Chicks so energetic
By July, the chicks are 18 days old and can now tear up their own food. Now that their feathers have grown through, they even start flapping practice. And as they grow in confidence, one chick even peeks out of the entrance for the very first time.
Jenny guards nest
But one night when she falls asleep, she doesn’t hear a barn owl landing on the branch. A barn owl’s flight is almost silent, so it’s only when it takes off again that Jenny reacts. But she is too late, and the barn owl swipes her into the nest.
Kestrel’s struggle to see in the dark, and poor Jenny looks completely bewildered. But thankfully the chicks are safe inside.
Chicks get ready for first flights
As the time approaches for their first flights Jenny brings in more and more food.
Interestingly, although the chicks can now feed themselves, Jenny occasionally enters the nest break up and share out the food. She seems keen to ensure they’re each getting a share.
Chicks fledge
Over the following days, the chicks fledge one by one!
Chicks remain close
For the first time in months, the nest is empty, but it is another month before the young fledglings are able to live independently. Until then, Jenny continues to deliver food for them. During this time the kestrels become increasingly confident, exploring further around the garden… and bothering
Jenny at the feeding post.
Kestrels’ amazing story
This kestrel story has been an emotional rollercoaster. It was so special following Jeff as he grew from inexperienced fledgling to confident bachelor and watching him woo Jenny. But when tragedy struck and Jenny was left alone with three chicks, it was touch and go. I’m so glad I was able to support Jenny on her journey as a fantastic single mother, and to watch all three chicks fledge successfully.
ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: www.robertefuller.com.
You can also follow me on these platforms:
Website: www.robertefuller.com
Facebook: / robertefullerart
Twitter: / robertefuller
Instagram: / robertefuller
#robertefuller #kestrel #jeffandjenny
CHAPTERS
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00:00 Meet Jenny
00:26 Jenny Providing
02:08 Chicks Developing
04:19 Jenny Is A Great Mum
05:52 Chicks Prepare To Fledge
09:59 First Chick Fledges
11:32 Second Chick Fledges
13:25 Third Chick Fledges
14:32 Fledglings Discover The World
15:45 An Emotional Kestrel Story
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© Robert E Fuller
Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to re-upload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: [e-mail]

[@RobertEFuller]

I hope you've enjoyed the video! Watch more Jeff & Jenny films: kzbin.info/aero/PLx09JDaWUEFN9JDphnU74rEGrDFjTQjmW&si=W4WnaKruVsO0Sk4o See them 24/7 on my livestream: kzbin.info/aero/PLx09JDaWUEFM-u8Q8V11cI1Ghk_-byaPM&si=q4ehR_kQ3xVrypin Support my work with wildlife: : www.robertefuller.com/support_and_donate/ Shop my birds of prey artwork: www.robertefuller.com/product-tag/birds-of-prey/ Follow me: Facebook - bit.ly/43LiisV | Twitter - bit.ly/43yuiO9 | Instagram - bit.ly/3XV7rLA | TikTok - bit.ly/3XUnEAJ

[@deniseschreyer6142]

I love your work David Attenborough who lol I appreciate your hard work🎉❤

[@Sasser2015]

I'm sure they're quite a bit more difficult to assemble and edit, but I really love the longer form videos (like this one) on this channel. Very nice work, Robert and team.

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes they take a lot longer we are putting there full story together over Christmas so watch out for it 😃

[@melissamcclain34]

​@@RobertEFullercan't wait! I too love the longer videos and truly appreciate all that goes into making them!!

[@Delia-Georgiana]

Same🌼

[@shilohndrah]

​@@RobertEFullerYes, I adore these longer videos. Each story I've watched of Jeff and Jenny deepens the story arc. It's more and more a love story about parenthood. You've shown us how a loving father is with his progeny, his responsibilities. You attend to their need for sustenance with your feeding post. You are eager for their arrival and excited at their first flight.

[@elenapasca8602]

Thank you for helping Jenny, this very brave single mom, and for sharing these beautiful images of the kids' evolution . I hope Jenny finds another mate soon ❤️

[@kerrykestrowl6785]

Jenny will always have a special place in my heart ❤️ Thank you Ref for your support and beautiful haven for the kestrels

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

Jeff will be missed. Jenny is such an excellent mum. Thanks so much for all the assistance you provide for these lovely birds, REF!

[@gargoyle7863]

Jenny is doing great. ❤ I've seen a kestrel sitting in our garden this morning. Hope it finds a mate and breeds nearby.

[@Beth-sn9ip]

Beautiful photography, beautiful animals, beautiful countryside, engaging narration, thank you so much Robert for sharing your talents and your view of the natural world with us! Greetings from the US

[@davidkelly1427]

Super video and well done for given jenny a hand with her chicks thank you again

[@Lexusgx550]

Great single mom. Jenny

[@Judith-eq9pd]

God bless Jenny🙏 Thank you Robert for all you do for our magnificent wildlife 😀

[@janiceshaw3616]

Thanks for sharing this amazing story! Enjoyed watching all the babies grow up. ❤

[@sharim]

Another beautiful and amazing video from Robert Fuller. Thank you for sharing.

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@kenhughes4715]

Jenny is to be commended as well as you for your kind help. Thank you for helping a single mom and sharing the experience.

[@cndns2]

Beautiful film, a delight to view. Thanks for this peaceful respite.

[@harrietking8768]

Robert, the babies retreating from the rain was absolutely gorgeous, the whole thing was breathtaking and amazing! Stunning photography and such beautiful landscape. Thank you for sharing and supporting their journey.

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed the video there full story will be coming soon

[@junefulton7418]

Makes my whole morning getting to sit in on a portion of Jenny's superb mothering skills. Thanks for filming and posting as without professional clips such as this one, the average public has no clue. Beautifully done. WOW!

[@RobertEFuller]

Thanks 😊 glad you enjoyed the film 🎥 there full story is coming soon

[@judybevers5557]

Tiny fluff baby manteling, love it! Thank you again for the lovely video story of winged wildlife. Kestrels are my most favorite BOP. (Of course, being American I love the Bald Eagle, too.) It’s always a blessing to see either in the wild. 🦫

[@purefoysgirl]

Super sad to lose Jeff, but I'm so glad Jenny (with some caring help!) was able to raise their babies! Curious question, as I've missed some in-between moments, were the babies not banded this time? Or ringed? I forget how it's put. I hoped we'd be able to follow the adventures of Jeff and Jenny's offspring, carrying the legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Kes into the future :D

[@Lythiaren]

Robert was away, so they fledged before they could be ringed.

[@RobertEFuller]

That’s right they fledged before I got chance to ring them!

[@spiritsjoy]

@@RobertEFuller Well i hope that little clown first born decides to stick around. I got a kick out of him snatching food with no idea how to eat it...I quietly named him Snatcher.

[@BoldLion]

So the Jeff was killed by red bird?

[@spiritsjoy]

Jeff was my favorite , able to be fathered by a human while still remaing wild. Jenny is wonderful and did a good job raising your grandkestrels REF. Im so happy that this heartbreaking saga still has a good ending.

[@RobertEFuller]

Jeff was amazing i try to help wildlife when they need it and keeping them as wild as possible is my priority the easy option would have been to bring the keslets up on my own but they get imprinted on to humans making it harder to release them, it was risky trying to get Mr Kes to learn but it paid off as they all fledged as wild birds I was so pleased it was him that took up territory here at Fotherdale But we were all very sad to have lost him

[@paulasmith4561]

What an awesome mum, great how you help them thank you

[@user-KG71]

Another amazing film 😊 Each time I see a new chick fledge, I cheer out loud.

[@pattytanur3321]

Magnificent creatures and excellent documental. Artistic indeed.

[@ritabartuska6326]

Thank you for helping Jenny! She’s a terrific mother! The three youngsters all fledged! 🎉 Hooray!! 😍 Terribly sad about Jeff.

[@toldavf1523]

shes a tough mama bird and we love her

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes she is amazing 🤩 as I see other kestrels as I travel around the uk I always wonder about there lives and stories I’m sure many are equally dramatic but there is no on there to document it

[@toldavf1523]

@@RobertEFullerYes I can imagine, nature will never cease to hold wonder for those who respect it.

[@thetruegge5239]

No ringing this time? What a wonderful brood of chicks!!

[@Borninthe80s.]

They fledged before he could

[@mjoao4635]

Jenny made a superb job❤ fledging 3 kids isn t easy,,,,of course with your help👋👋. Regards from Portugal 🇵🇹, Robert

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed the film there full story will be coming soon

[@minal-xf6dg]

Good to see a video on Jenny. Fingers crossed for a new mate for her this upcoming spring.

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes let’s hope she finds a good match

[@louierobertombao8654]

I miss jeff😢

[@CompostGaming]

Love these longer videos man, these videos always help clear my mind. Keep it up 👍

[@judycook4314]

I enjoy all of your beautiful videos so much! I also really appreciate that you help the birds out from time-to-time.

[@RobertEFuller]

Thank you very much!

[@wendylin9925]

謝謝！

[@RobertEFuller]

Many thanks.

[@ericapoe]

Jenny is the MVP 💪🏼 taking care of her brood all by herself.

[@patrickhiggins3582]

your a lovely fellow Robbert and have great nature in you for wild birds.

[@patrickhiggins3582]

kestrel is a sweet bird. genny is sweet and genny has a soul.

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent really enjoyed watching. Glad the chicks fledged. I love stories like this. Your filming is amazing ❤

[@RobertEFuller]

Thanks so much!

[@annanicholson6925]

Wonderful story and beautifully filmed.

[@johna6767]

These little guys are sooooo adorable!

[@michellezoe4596]

I like the chick's "can do attitude" as well😂. Really come to enjoy watching the kestrels more and more. Already loved the owls, but now the kestrels have my attention too!

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you like them!

[@user-oh4gp6xp9t]

Bless her - courageous little animal ❤

[@paulhampson8496]

jenny was such a crafter brilliant little vedio great work Robert

[@reginaclarke1574]

Just so grand!

[@bruceloflen1852]

Beautiful

[@suzietschirsch1257]

Jenny♥ Jeff🕯 Thank you REF

[@colleen4062]

Jenny what a sweet heart 💪😇💙

[@susannahallanic1167]

I very much appreciate what you, Mr. Fuller, have shared with me. Thank you!

[@RobertEFuller]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it, look out for the full story coming soon

[@therichieboy]

Beautiful.

[@SupaFly10579]

It's nice to see someone watching these animals and lending a hand when absolutely necessary. I've watched channels that could have but didn't intervene under the nature taking its course excuse. It was terrible to watch. Being a city kid, I would pick up dirty, injured pigeons and keep them on my roof. It was hard for me to walk away from a hurt animal and it still is.

[@lyngruen8607]

I really enjoy these videos ❤ Such beautiful birds 🦅 Thank you so much Robert ❤ Texas Nana Psalm 91😮

[@richardjohnson5529]

Jenny Super Mom

[@caroletravers8587]

Great video with kestrel ingunuity !

[@KL53986]

I find it now its her turn, it sort of reminds me of Mrs. Kez story arc

[@RikaJP]

That's a wonderful story.📜💓✨

[@ang8158]

9:35 Beautiful shot! Nothing like a dark sky approaching!❤

[@SibylleLeon]

It's lovely to see the full story of Jeff's legacy. These chicks are what he's left us with, and Jenny really rose to the occasion bringing them all up on her own ❤

[@RobertEFuller]

Hi 👋 that’s the last film in a the series The full story is coming soon 😉

[@timf6916]

Very NICE

[@susanschmid2271]

Super.

[@regolith1350]

Poor Jeff. He made the ultimate sacrifice.

[@renatefeller5208]

Danke 💖

[@Lexusgx550]

Rip Jeff. Was great father. Wild is so dangerous.

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

God bless ❤

[@barbm7175]

Loved this, thank you for sharing.

[@Glasgowurbanwildlife]

Fantastic work Robert! good on you for giving a helping hand!

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed the kestrels there full story is coming soon

[@normanjefferychester882]

I didn't know kestrels live in US, till I saw one today 🦅

[@holaholaoficial]

MUY BELLO GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR 🇲🇽🤗🕊️

[@johnhickson]

Lovely story robert 😊👍💯

[@TheStickCollector]

Nice

[@mothghost8553]

Rip jeff

[@denisemarshall2432]

Another beautifully observed life story....can I ask why these particular chick's were not given I'd rings?

[@chriscarlsen2100]

This story was beautifully told. My heart still hurts for the loss of Jeff though. I fell in love with Kestrels during Mr Kes's story of raising his brood by himself. Thank you for sharing these intimate stories with us. Would you be able to tell if Jenny stuck around without being banded or if any of the young Kestrels did? I hope to see another season with these beautiful birds. Thank you again ❤

[@RobertEFuller]

It’s a big loss when we lose our kestrels and Jeff was a very special bird, Jenny is still here with us but the chicks usually go and find new territory so we haven’t seen them recently

[@Davey007]

McFuller's Happy meal drops save the day. Must be hated by the mice 😅

[@kerrykestrowl6785]

I love red kites but they are so deadly for kestrels it is so heartbreaking 💔 I will always love you Jeff 🕯️

[@mariethiers6915]

What a marvellous video! Thanks a lot, REF!!☀️🦅 I love the Kestrels so very much and miss Jeff beyond words! ❤😢❤

[@Takame7]

Another wonderful story and beautiful viewing. It was Mr & Mrs Kes that captivated me during the pandemic, and I’ve been enjoying your content since. I have probably missed it, but was there a reason for not ringing these chicks?

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you are enjoying the kestrels on my channel I was away in Svalbard filming when they should have been ringed so missed this brood

[@Flavioelnacionalistaargentino]

Un ave muy Bonita

[@lesleyhoban6559]

Interesting fact about the unmatched egg ... tu

[@soniaribeirokloth1914]

Hi, Robert! Amazing video, Jenny is really a super mom!!🙌💪👏 And Jeff will be remembered forever!! 😌😊😉 Thanks for your support to this beautiful family, it was essencial at that moment!!! 👍🤩😍🙏🤗😀

[@RobertEFuller]

Jeff and Jenny were a dream team so sad to lose Jeff

[@soniaribeirokloth1914]

​@@RobertEFullerExactly, Robert! I agree with you, they were a dream team together, and Jeff was a sad lost!!! 👍🙌🤩👏😌😊

[@MrWinter6751]

싱글맘에게 사회의 지원이 필요한 이유를 황조롱이를 통해 느끼게 되네요. 혼자 새끼를 키우는 어미새를 도와주신 것 정말 감사합니다.

[@mary-kittybonkers2374]

That was my thought too. Thanks to Robert Jenny is bringing up very strong chicks, hopefully they’ll grow to adulthood and add to the health and strength of the population in the UK.

[@srail9828]

Great video as always! Is there any reason these batch of chicks didn't get id rings?

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes just fledged while I was away

[@indyreno2933]

Kestrels are falconid birds of prey that constitute the genus Kestrellus, they are a cosmopolitan genus of bird of prey and are constituted by sixteen extant species: the North American Kestrel (Kestrellus sparverius), the Central American Kestrel (Kestrellus caribaearum), the South American Kestrel (Kestrellus cinnamominus), the Common Kestrel (Kestrellus tinnunculus), the Lesser Kestrel (Kestrellus naumanni), the Fox Kestrel (Kestrellus alopex), the Rock Kestrel (Kestrellus rupicolus), the Greater Kestrel (Kestrellus rupicoloides), the Grey Kestrel (Kestrellus ardosiaceus), the Dickinson's Kestrel (Kestrellus dickinsoni), the Seychelles Kestrel (Kestrellus araeus), the Mauritius Kestrel (Kestrellus punctatus), the Newton's Kestrel (Kestrellus newtoni), the Banded Kestrel (Kestrellus zoniventris), the Spotted Kestrel (Kestrellus moluccensis), and the Oceanian Kestrel (Kestrellus cenchroides), they are the largest genus of the family Falconidae.

[@susanellanoble1184]

You are a wonderful avian godfather. Dare we ask why this brood didn't get banded?

[@RobertEFuller]

Hi there I was away and when I got back they’d fledged already

[@vladimirlavrnja7712]

I am not an expert, but I could have sworn I heared the beginning of a song of a white throated sparrow. Zonotrichia albicollis.

[@SapphirasMama]

I know the owls get banded but do the other species of birds get banded too, including the kestrels?

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes they usually do I was away In Svalbard when they were the right age so we missed doing this brood

[@lindaberry8784]

It looked like the kestrels didn't get ringed, is this correct and what happened?

[@suzettecalleja3122]

Do you ring them? I didn't see their rings

[@RobertEFuller]

Hi yes we normally do kestrels I was away in Svalbard filming when they were the right age to ring so missed this brood

[@H.O.P.E.1122]

No leg rings for the kestrels?

[@RobertEFuller]

I was away filming in Svalbard when they were the right age so didn’t do this brood unfortunately

[@ranveigstraume6950]

May I ask why these chicks weren't ring marked? Jeff and his siblings were all ring marked if I remember correctly?

[@RobertEFuller]

I was away in Svalbard filming when they were the right age so it wasn’t possible for this brood

[@mirandamartin4001]

Question, what dictates what chicks get ID rings and who doesn’t, because these chicks didn’t get ringed.

[@RobertEFuller]

Hi 👋 I was away filming in Svalbard when they were the right age so missed doing this brood unfortunately

[@mirandamartin4001]

@@RobertEFuller Ah I see. Thanks for answering 😊

[@allcreaturesgreatandsmall5956]

what about their rings?

[@Borninthe80s.]

He wasn’t back in time they fledged

[@AliceLee-rj2ew]

Surprised that the chicks wasn't ringed.

[@Borninthe80s.]

They fledged before he could

[@AliceLee-rj2ew]

@@Borninthe80s. That was fast. :P

[@AgusSJati]

no rings?

[@Balloon410]

Yeah, I was curious about that too. I wonder why they didn't get rings.

[@Borninthe80s.]

He wasn’t back in time they fledged

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes I was In Svalbard the Arctic 🥶 filming

[@Ms-Fortune]

Wait. What about ringing? 🕊️🧐

[@RobertEFuller]

Hi 👋 I was In Svalbard the Arctic filming when they were the right age so didn’t manage it for this brood

[@Ms-Fortune]

@@RobertEFuller Oh okay! I’m sorry if I come across as blunt or critical - I swear that isn’t my intention (but I’m not the best communicator, so I’m sorry if it sounded that way). I was just confused, because in every other video that I’ve seen, you always make it a point to make sure the chicks are ringed; and so it made me curious if this time was different somehow, and I wanted to know why. Thank you for answering my question! And thank you for the beautiful videos and artwork that you create. Your work is all so inspiring and full of passion; and I admire you a lot!

[@user-tu8od5kk6x]

They werent ringed, why?

[@RobertEFuller]

I was away filming when they were ready to be ringed unfortunately

[@Wang23]

i wonder what happened to Jeff hope he's well

[@user-lq4ct6dr5m]

He's gone, Robert think he got caught by a big bird of prey

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes I think the red kite could have returned. Larger birds of prey are known to predate smaller ones to eliminate competition for food

[@Wang23]

@@RobertEFullerdam RIP Jeffery 😢

[@louisecotulla4296]

Did this lot not get rings? If not, why not? You don't ring all of them?

[@RobertEFuller]

I was away filming in the Arctic 🐻‍❄️ when they were the right age

[@diogoangelocaliman9338]

What happened to Jeff guys?

[@o0DnDing0o]

Mentions him at the beggining. He was chased by a red kite (bigger bird of prey). Probably killed ; (

[@RobertEFuller]

I suspect the red kite

[@diogoangelocaliman9338]

@@RobertEFuller Oh my God, wow, how sad that he might have been killed 😢

[@rutheliz75]

Will Jenny unite with another male ?

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes she will look for a new mate.

[@georgepickle3404]

out of interest has anyone noticed a sharp decline in kestrels in UK this year? I'm in the fens and whilst usually a common sight this year I barely see any.

[@NickLeeds]

I am not in the UK but that is very sad to hear 😢😢, they seem like beautiful smart birds

[@thepaperpuppeter]

I hop jenny mate a new male kestrel sadly 😔 Jeff disappeared rob name this new kestrel Jake

[@Maurice_Moss]

Shame about Jeff; is the working hypothesis that he was killed by the red kite? Seems surprising.

[@milklesstea6091]

How many reposts