Captivating kestrel caught on camera

Captivating footage of a kestrel which regularly visits a CCTV camera on the M5 in Gloucestershire has been released by Highways England.

The film shows the young bird of prey:

• Using the CCTV mast as a perch
• Being mobbed both by a magpie and then a raven.
• Checking out her reflection in the camera
• Still-hunting, where the bird sits on the exposed perch and watches for prey.
• Struggling to keep her perch in high winds.

The release of the video comes in the wake of the RSPB’s BIG Garden Bird watch last weekend. More than half a million people were expected to take part, recording the number of birds that visited their gardens over a one hour period.

The RSPB is also promoting the Big School Bird Watch during the month of February, where pupils will be encouraged to get closer to nature by counting birds at set times. More information can be found at: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/kids-and-schools/kids-at-school/schools-birdwatch/

Traffic Officers Leigh Goodchild and Steve Dyas at Highways England’s Regional Control Centre in Avonmouth first spotted the cheeky bird in October 2016.

And since then operators monitoring traffic on CCTV have been treated to frequent sightings as the kestrel has made a camera stand at junction 11a of the M5 one of its favourite perches.

 Leigh Goodchild said:

“We’ve grown quite fond of our feathered friend since she started visiting the camera. The platform seems to give a good view of the surrounding area and potential prey – on one occasion she returned with half a mouse which she proceeded to swallow complete, tail and all!

“We’ve also noticed she’s rather obsessed with her own image, which she probably thinks is an equally nosey kestrel ‘in’ the camera, but her inquisitiveness has given us some good close-ups.

“She’s squawked and attacked the lens a few times as well but when that happens we try to discourage her from hurting herself by tilting the camera skywards.

“Her visits certainly brighten up our day and makes a change from the traffic!”

With their pointed wings and long tails, kestrels are a familiar sight along UK motorways and other main roads as they use thermals from the road to hover while they look for prey.

Kestrels are generally recognised by their characteristic hovering hunting mode, but also use perches to hunt.

They can often be seen perched on a high tree branch, or on a telephone post or wire, on the lookout for prey.

The RSPB estimate that there are around 46,000 breeding pairs of kestrels in the UK, and the bird is on their amber list of protected species. 

Highways England Traffic Officers operate motorway CCTV cameras from seven regional control centres and the National Traffic Operations Centre and patrol the motorway network around the clock. They work to keep traffic moving by dealing with incidents and setting signals and signs to alert drivers to potential issues ahead.