Kestrels will often roost in modern barns and ruined buildings, as well as trees and on cliffs, spending the night perched high on a beam or other sheltered perch or ledge. Modern barns are often used, and during our Kestrel Survey, we examine any suitable (preferably little-used or disused) farm building, like this one above in Co. Kerry, to look for signs of their presence...
...and here it is...
The photo shows an area of 'whitewash' on the ground, the distinctive 'chalky' droppings of birds of prey, below a high perch in the disused barn. And scattered around, the small, distinctive pellets which Kestrels regurgitate a few times a day. When broken open, they contain the indigestible remains of their prey, mostly fur and bones from mice and shrews, and often beetle wing cases. A nest box placed in this barn has a very good chance of being seen by the local Kestrels, and hopefully they will take to nesting in it this summer.
