Close call with a kestrel

[boddie]

I took the dogs out for a little walk before bed last night and I thought I'd use my torch to have a look in the open barn by our house to see if the little owls were still there.

They weren't but I did see a kestrel pirched on the eaves having a snooze. When I came a bit closer it got quite distrssed and tried to fly away, hovering about 3 yards in front of my face, it tried to land on a vertical strut without much success bfore falling clumsily to the ground, at which point one of my terriers tried to grab it! Luckily she he didn't grab it with much vigour and when I shouted at her she backed away and the kestrel flew off very clumsily and low into the night.

Just wondered why the bird seemed so clumsy and whether or not it was previosuly injured or maybe a juvy?

Don't worry, my dog definately did not hurt it and she was severly chastised for trying to attack one of my favourite birds!

[alexf]

maybe because they cant see in the dark and it was startled!

[lulie]

shineing a torch on any bird or animal is not really a good idea, It blinds them and in the panic to flee the light they are at a high risk of injuring themselves. All diurnal birds will find a safe roost at dusk, if you force the bird away from this safety it is then at increased risk of predation. You should always observe any wildlife at a distance that doesn't make them feel threatened. Leaving the dogs behind may be an idea too as birds would view them as well as you as a predetor