lesser kestrel, faucon crécerellette, falco naumanni, languedoc, france, herault, safari photo, photo nature, photo animaux, photographe animalier, photographe nature, wildlife photographer, wildlife photo, animal photography, bird photography, bird photographer, photo oiseaux
What a fantastic opportunity to have easy access to a major breeding site for one of the scarcest raptors in France ! The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is on the IUCN red list in the category Vulnerable and in Cites appendix II. In France, there are as few as a 175 pairs breeding in two major sites : The Crau Area (Steppe zone at east of Camargue),with 139 pairs, and this little village in the Herault department (36 pairs) that happens to be my natal region. Here, during breeding season, the observation is quite easy. They are everywhere flying over the village. No need to hide and no risk to disturb them because they are perfectly habituated to humans in this urban environment. All photos are shot with Nikon 300 2:8 VR with tripod and TC 1.7, natural light. Here again the “Handbook of the Birds of the World” Vol. 2 (del Hoyo, J., Elliot,A.& Sargatal,J.- Lynx Edicions) has been a worthy backup to comment Lesser Kestrel behaviours.
First encounters were interesting, after a while they became really thrilling. It started with a single bird on a TV antenna that I was satisfied to shoot because of its scarcity.
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...but coming again and again on the site it became really rewarding : the finding of nests sites, the observation of preys capture, nestlings feeding, emancipation of young,
Lesser Kestrels nest under the roof tiles of old houses. In this particular location they probably find a protection against their predators.
Lesser Kestrels nest under the roof tiles of old houses. In this particular location they probably find a protection against their predators.
...that also means that those really rare and vulnerable birds nest at five meters above the village streets and they are hardly disturbed even by trucks motors or habitants shouting.
I can't really figure the reason why they choose this village and only this one because I can't find any specificity that makes it unique for them. Anyway the good news is that if they are almost impossible to watch wherever else, in this sole site they are admirably conspicuous and easy to observe and shoot. And it happens to be located 20 kms from my place.
The breeding site is a medieval village at 20 km west of Montpellier. After a few years seeing birdwatchers and their spotting scope, inhabitants are used to the phenomenon and seem to respect Lesser Kestrels and their nest sites despite the disturbance and noise caused by falcons scratching rooftops. They seem to be astonished by people spending hours waiting for Falcons landings and take offs over their house. But they still are welcoming and when a fledgling falls down from the nest they take care of it and call the bird rescue center.
The only drawback of the nests location is the urban environment with tiles, roofs, antennas, and gutters that does not provide the best background for photos.
Difficult to differentiate Lesser and Common Kestrel except for one thing very obvious : if you see a numerous group of Kestrel it has to be a Lesser because they are gregarious while Common are solitary birds or live in solitary pairs.
Other characteristics of the Lesser Kestrel (male) include unspotted back, upper coverts blue-grey and proeminent central tail feather.
Females are approximately 30% heavier than males. It has been said that females select light males because small size would make agile flyers more efficient for hunting and feeding young ?
This female Lesser Kestrel has got a female Saddle-backed Bush-cricket (Ephippiger ephippiger).
This female Lesser Kestrel has got a female Saddle-backed Bush-cricket (Ephippiger ephippiger).
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