Lesser Kestrels 

These great little falcons arrived 10 days ago at their usual nesting -site .This year there are five pairs in total instead of the usual three.The courtship -behaviour of these birds is quite comical to watch with the male bird bringing the awaiting female a lizard or a large cricket, only for her to turn her head in the opposite direction making him wait for her to make up her mind whether to oblige him by taking his gourmet snack or not;or sunning and preening herself whilst waiting for his return on the rickety old roof where they will rear their young over the next couple of months 

 A quick manicure to impress

 The happy couple a few days later

 Since writing this page (2008),the 2009 breeding season saw only 3 breeding -pairs arrive back,probably due to a hotel -renovation project which used to be part of the nest site.Lets hope we see these fascinating little raptors return next month(March) to, hopefully breed successfully again.

                                                                 UPDATE 

It has been a while since I updated this page,it's now 2012 and the good news is the Lesser kestrels have been arriving every year.They have bred successfully on the same site, even though there has been a lot of building - work being undertaken in the area.

        A male inspecting a potential nest site under the eaves of an old  Ottaman house