Desperate Kestrel?

[Leonard Poxon]

I have a Kestrel (sometimes 2) that hunt on the former quarry behind my house, the grass now is very long and wet which must make it very difficult for the bird to catch food in.

In late afternoon I spotted the Kestrel hunting over the housing estate instead and watched it stoop down after one of two Woodpigeon on the roof of the house opposite mine, just before contact the Woodpigeon saw its attacker and dived off. I did not see either bird for a few minutes, but shortly after the Kestrel was flying round the houses looking for other (perhaps smaller prey).

This is the first time I have seen a Kestrel hunting in an urban environment for over 50 years, when as a youth I used to regularly see one hunting Starlings and House Sparrows in Lower Adlington.