Clever Kestrel Mum Raises Chicks After Male Disappears | Jeff & Jenny | Full Story | Robert E Fuller
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- Soon after young kestrel pair Jeff and Jenny meet, they welcome three healthy chicks into the family. But tragedy strikes when Jeff disappears.
Date filmed: 2023
Watch kestrels interact live on my nest cams: • Live From Fotherdale |... and • Live From Ash Wood | R... ] and follow the story of Jeff & Jenny in this playlist: • Kestrels 🦅 Jeff & Jen...
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ABOUT THIS FILM
Young kestrel pair Jeff & Jenny are starting their first year together. I've followed Jeff's story since he hatched, watching him grow from an inexperienced fledgling to confident bachelor.
Jeff's story
At first, Jeff seemed a survivor. The youngest of kestrel pair Mr & Mrs Kes, he lost his mother whilst very young. But with a little help from me and the champion efforts of single kestrel dad Mr Kes, he survived.
Weak fledgling
But this juvenile kestrel was always a little weak. Last to fledge, he never left home - causing confusion when Mr Kes began courting again! But then Mr Kes disappeared and Jeff adopted the territory.
Jeff meets Jenny
Jeff's courting technique was awkward, but he got the hang of it and he and Jenny began nesting.
Kestrel eggs
By May 2023 Jenny had laid four brown, speckled eggs. The pair worked well together, sharing incubation duties, guarding the nest, and hunting.
Kestrel chicks
In June three healthy chicks hatch. The fourth egg fails. Jenny is now full time mum.
Young kestrel family
Whilst Jeff hunts to provide for his new family, Jenny is in charge of sharing it out equally. But Jeff, who was himself raised by a male kestrel, isn't adverse to serving up meals when Jenny is not around.
Red kite attack
Then one day a red kite swoops at Jeff. After a brief battle, Jeff seems to outwit it. But something is wrong and he doesn't return to the nest that day.
Chicks grow
As the chicks grow Jeff continues to do a sterling job hunting - and sometimes even serving up meals - for his young family.
Jeff doesn't return
Then one day Jeff doesn't turn up. Jenny is clearly worried, and I am too. I leave a bit of food for Jenny and the chicks on a nearby branch and check the cameras. All I can see is the altercation with the red kite and I worry he's been predated or killed.
Jenny becomes a single mum
When Jeff doesn't turn up the following day it's clear something is wrong. The chicks are so young and Jenny can't venture far to hunt for them herself. I start putting food out for the young kestrel family more frequently.
Chicks fledge
In July the chicks fledge. It's amazing to watch as one by one they venture out of the nest and make their first, tentative flights.
Jenny has shown incredible fortitude hunting, protecting and feeding them. What an amazing single mum and what a tribute to their amazing kestrel dad Jeff.
ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!
You can also follow me on these platforms:
Website: www.robertefuller.com
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#robertefuller #kestrel #wildlives #jeffandjenny
CHAPTERS
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00:00 Jeff & Jenny’s story
00:39 Jeff’s early days
04:20 Mr Kes courting Jeff
05:28 Jeff takes over territory
08:26 Jeff begins courtship
09:25 Jeff meets Jenny
12:19 Jeff & Jenny prepare for eggs
13:24 Jenny lays eggs
17:24 Jeff & Jenny incubate their eggs
19:55 Chicks hatch & grow
27:17 Jeff’s attacked by a red kite
32:50 Jeff disappears
34:58 Jenny cares for chicks alone
36:38 Chicks developing fast
41:26 Chicks prepare to fly
45:31 Chicks fledge
50:04 Life beyond the nest
51:17 An emotional rollercoaster
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© Robert E Fuller
Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to re-upload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: mail@robertefuller.com
Like mother like son
But more importantly
Like father like son
You made your parents proud, Jeff
Jeff is greatly missed , Jenny is an amazing mother and so happy 3 fledglings thrived ❤️
Yes 🙌 Jeff was amazing and it was a pleasure to share his short life with you all 🤩
We all will miss him so much,he was my favourite of the brood and I’m sure the favourite of many of the followers of kestrel’s stories here at Fotherdale
Hopefully there will be a match out there for Jenny for the 2024 breeding season 🤞
Darn I hate how cruel and cold nature can be
Bad nurse, how are you? May you live well in 2024,
I’m curious to find out if Jeff’s male children carry on the feeding of future children characteristic. Maybe it could become a past oned behavior. ?
@@elsawhiteis4925hi Elsa, I subscribed but I don't know what happened to the offspring, 🌞
I think it’s safe to say that the traits Mr Kes had, had passed down to Jeff. I hope from here, it passes down to his offspring in turn. Such a gentle bloodline of kestrels. We’ll all miss them both.
I always love seeing the males gazing their first egg. It's nice to see Jenny on the feeding post daily.
Yes the nest cameras capture many amazing moment and the male looking at the first egg is always special
Thank you, Robert and team, for the great tribute to this kestrel pair's story. The loss of Jeff is still felt whenever I catch a video. His history with the channel was a meaningful one, even if very brief. After all, seeing Jeff take care of his chicks like Mr.kes did reminds you of the beauty of nature but also the resilience of these birds. ❤ much love and happy new year 🎉
Hi 👋 yes poor Jeff we all loved him, he will always be remembered by us
I remember taking out of the nest when Mrs Kes disappeared I didn’t think he was going to survive, but he did 😄 he last to hatch always the smallest and last to fledge Yet with a bit of extra care went on to take the place of his father Mr Kes holding territory here at Fotherdale
@missy7871 Thank you for sharing exactly how I feel. Jeff🙏🏽🙏🏽🥲
I m so glad that there is a whole episode dedicated to Jeff and his family. I could never imagine that I care so for a kestrel and so proud of him
@@allenholmes2353it’s amazing how we become attached to wild birds as if they were our pets
Jeff's loss is so sad, and Jenny is such a great mom, making sure that all the chicks get enough to eat, even though they are competing for food. This video is so wonderful because it shows how the fledglings gain confidence, "bothering Jenny at the feeding post" and so on. They really seem to help each other make the leap, and stick around the nest until the young birds are ready to find new territory and make their own families. Thank you Robert for showing more of Jeff and Jenny's brood becoming independent with your help. It's truly inspiring and emotional.
It’s hard to let go. I’m sorry Robert.
I think in past videos there was hopes jeff was just missing and now it’s acknowledging he is gone.
But this video was for you to let go I think and for us to hear Jeff’s story.
And what a beautiful story it was. Sad and made me cry but Jeff got to live because of you and got a shot at a family.
Solid tribute to Jeff.
You’re a hero for these birds. Thank you for all that you do.
Jenny is such a hard working mom and thanks to you she was able to keep her chicks.
This spring it would really cool if you’d build a new nest in Jeff’s honor.
Maybe one of his kids will take it over.
It’s always special filming the kestrels stories, glad Jeff has touched other people’s hearts as well 🥰
What kills kestrels?
Bigger birds of prey, Red Kites buzzards and Tawny owls They take them out to as they compete for food. Plus rodenticide like rat poison if they eat a rodent that’s eaten some
But a very sudden disappearance suggests he was predated
@@RobertEFuller It's sad his life ended so quickly, but he didn't fail. He came into this world, and he made a new generation to experience it. That's what all wild creatures dream of. He may have only been a father once, but he was damned good at it.
@@johnDoe-gv8si He was a good dad! i think he learned feeding and brooding from having his own father do it, so its very possible that the others from his clutch do the same thing! which is a nice thing to think about thiere own little family tradition :) gonna miss jeff.
Sure do miss seeing him at the feeding post every morning 😔 Fotherdale Legend
Yes we all miss him
It’s crazy to think about how attached we become to wild birds
I remember when you weren't sure if Jeff was a boy or a girl! So glad he fatherd a clutch.
I know how much Jeff meant to you. I'm so sorry for your loss. Mother nature is rough and always teaching us. Happy you had your time with him ❤ I rescued a crow that fell from my palm last year and mom hung around as I fed him and kept him safe until he could fly... He ended up disappearing as well and so I know the feeling. 😢. Little part of Jeff in those babies though😊thank you for all you do!
it was magickal to see Jeff imitate his dad. maybe Jeffs chicks picked up on it too. their shared time together was shorter, but it would be amazing if Mr. Kes' legacy continued on
Thank you for being there during their time of need. You are remarkable.
Oh thanks it’s my pleasure to help wildlife and share my stories with so many people
Love watching all these birds I’m sorry Jeff is gone but Jennie is a great mom. I could sit and watch long story’s of all the birds and animals you film.
Oh thanks 😊 if you like the longer stories there is a section on my channel
Called full stories where they all are together
I’ll go look for it. Thank you
This story makes me sad 😕 I miss Jeff a lot.
I'm glad Jeff managed to keep Mr and Mrs Kes's line alive before something happened.
jeff is not the only chick mr and mrs kes had
Robert is the Jacques Cousteau of the wind and skies.
These are so beautifully shot and edited.
Every one of your storyful productions is so amazingly entertaining. Absolutely A+++ production. I honestly don’t think it gets better. Every captivating story and the work you’ve put into the nests, cameras, little hidden doors for access soo you can help. Absolutely wonderful. Just love them all. Thank you so kindly for all of your hard work building, traveling, recording, narrating, just everything. You bring all of these, so very many, creatures into my own mental surroundings. I feel like I’m there. Thanks!
Oh thanks for your kind words I have a team of people helping me produce these films,
we are all very proud of what we achieve and so pleased so many people appreciate our work
Mr. Kes sure passed on his amazing genes to Jeff. He was a dad to his brood, just as his dad was to him. He would have made a wonderful mate to Jenny for many years. To lose him at such a young age was so heartbreaking. Jenny is a fantastic mother and I’m sure she truly appreciated that “magic food post”. I would have loved to see Jeff and Jenny together like Mr. and Mrs. Kes. I hope Jenny will find a suitable male, but after how well she and Jeff worked so flawlessly together, Jeff is going to be a hard act to follow. Jenny will keep him in line. What an opportunity for you to make sure Jeff didn’t perish as a young hatchling. I can’t imagine how difficult his loss was to you, personally. I know it’s nature, and how cruel it can be however he was so close to being able to see his brood fly away for their first times; leaving he and Jenny to resume and strengthen their relationship together.
RIP Jeff. You were a fantastic father to 3 beautiful “children”. Your dad would have been very proud of you. I hope some stay close so we can see another pair get together. Or when/if Jenny is ready to find another suitable male. 🥰
RIP Jeff what an amazing mom
I love this channel because when diaster strikes you help them out....I have to step away from some other nest channels because no one lends any help so most situations end in disaster and that is too hard to watch them struggle in vain....thank you for the love and care you show to these wild creatures...GOD bless❤
birdlover--so true! I'm so glad Robert leaves food for the mom when poor Jeff got predated.
Gone but not forgotten. It would have been fascinating to see how far the learned behaviour of the fathers could be passed on, what with Mr Kes inadvertently teaching his son how to brood and feed chicks.
Still, 3 healthy chicks is a fine legacy. Well done to Jeff and especially you and Jenny.
Jeff was a sweet confidant brave funny loyal kestrel I will never forget you 🕯️
He was incredible and touched so many people’s hearts
We all miss you Jeff. Kestrels are beautiful
Oh poor Jeff, he was such a good father. Im so glad you help all these beautiful animals!!! Thank you!!!
Why does Jeff disappearing make me so sad 😢. He was so young.
I instantly started bawling when I saw the video. I miss Jeff so much!
We all miss Jeff he was the weakest chick of his clutch and then became such a capable adult but his life was short unfortunately
Thank you for caring for them ♥️
It’s my pleasure 😊
I am so sorry about Jeff. He was a beautiful bird. He will live on through the chicks. Happy New Year. God bless.🙏🐣
Thank you Robert. I love that story of Jeff and Jenny.😊😊😊❤. I hate that Jeff disappeared!!😢😢😢😢😢. Jenny is a great mother😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I've never cried over a wild bird before 💔😢
Hi, Robert! Amazing video, this couple will never be forgotten!! Great tribute for unforgettable Jeff!!👏
I miss him very much!!😔
Thank you for your magnificent support, during that so hard moment of loss!!!
👍🙏🙏😊🤗😃
What a great film. I was mesmerised. I'll never look at kestrels in the same light! Thanks for a wonderful vid.!
Oh thanks I don’t look at kestrel’s in the way I used too, too when i pass by a kestrel hovering on the side of the road I often wonder about there lives too
What an emotional movie. Thanks for letting us look in their world.
Dr. Fuller, you tell such heart warming stories regardless of owl, falcon or any other! Thank you so much!
Jeff was an awesome kestrel and learned his dad skills from the best of them all Mr Kes. He would brood his nestlings and feed them as well, skills he will hopefully pass down to his male offspring. It shows how the effects of roll evolution over time and how one individual can alter a species within a region.
It must be a great feeling as a conservationist to see an adult living their best wild life from a chick you held and helped to survive.
Thank you for the lovely, but heartbreaking, story. Jeff was a great kestrel, like his father. The chick's were really blessed/a good & attentive mother.😊
Excellent video really enjoyed watching the kestrel story. Jeff will be missed ❤
So sad about Jeff for many reasons, not least because he seemed to have learnt some unique skills from his own upbringing with his dad, Mr. Ken. I wonder if his early brooding and chick feeding skills will get passed onto this next generation. Twould be sad if this extra resilience were lost....
Beautiful video. Robert. Thanks so much. I'm sorry for the loss of Jeff. Jenny did a great job of taking care of her brood and I love listening to the Kestrel chatter.
Kestrels are so beautiful.
I love your videos, they are so calm and yet full of stories. Keep up the great work!
Thanks and yes the stories will keep coming 😃
On a daily basis I like to see your videos and enjoy them. You are doing a great job buddy. Keep it up. The narration of videos is quite impressive.
Oh thanks 😊 for your kind words glad you are enjoying what we are doing here
Could you make a playlist that contain the full story series for all of your animals? I'd love to binge watch them all!
Hi 👋 glad you are enjoying my channel
If you type in Robert fuller full story into TH-cam you will find a play list of my full stories 😊
@@RobertEFuller Ahh, I see! I kept looking through your playlists on your channel instead of searching. I'll try that, thank you!
I miss Jeff so much…Mr. And Mrs. Kes too. I haven’t kept up with the livestream these six months….I watched the last tawny owls fledge though. 😅
Patty-I was so sad to lose Jeff. Im certain Jenny will find a new mate who is great as well. Looking forward to the next story about Jenny.
just excellent as alwaya and the bonus of an extra long riverting video - cudos to you from Australia
As a domesticated parrot owner of three parrots and one who has rescued and rehabilitated domesticated parrots for 32 years it is fascinating to watch your films and the care that you give them in lending a helping hand. Thank you for bringing the intimate world of wild birds into our lives.
Tha you for saving Jeff and caring for these beautiful birds..
Always good to see these full life stories. Nice. Hope everyone is doing well
Thank you, Robert, for this full story and back story before Jeff and jenny. Isn't it so very sad for the lost dad regards the kestrel family. But it's nature, and jenny stepped up and brought up her brood.
Loving your naturalist films, they're quite quaint and enjoyable :p
Has anyone ever told you that you're a truly beautiful human being ??? God bless you!! ❤❤❤
Oh thanks I always try to do my best for wildlife and it’s a pleasure to share my stories with so many people around the world
Thank you and the Kestrel’s for a very entertaining video and thank you for what you do for Wildlife.
Thanks 😊 thank you for watching and commenting 😊
tyvm REF
... i am grateful you helped Jenny provide for
her 3 young kestrels and this
lovely success story is largely because of your help!
....
God bless you and Jeff & Jenny's family ❤ ...
With all the unhappiness in this world this is such a blessing.
Robert, that was absolutely stunning!
Thank you 🙏 ❤️
Robert this was a wonderful story of love and caring- along with danger and disappointment. But the survival of the chicks and the wonderfully successful Jenny just warms the heart.
Thanks so much for sharing these adventures with us. I’m widowed and homebound from severe health issues from a long bout with Covid. You help lift me up with your channel since I am unable to get outside. God Bless You. Lynn in Naples FL 💞
Glad you are enjoying my channel 🦉 and I hope your health improves
Robert, I know you don’t know for sure what happened to Jeff, but as a person who knows Kestrels’ well, what is your best guess? I absolutely love your work and appreciate the fact you document the Kestrels’lives and development. Thank you.
I think he was predated by a Red kite or a common buzzard
I have been studying kestrel’s for decades and have seen a dramatic drop in there numbers
Especially where larger bird of prey have increased, 40 years ago there wasn’t buzzards and Red kites around here and there were loads of kestrel
Around where I live there used to be 5 pairs of kestrels now they’re is one or two pairs in the same area and Buzzards and kites are numerous I have seen both species attack kestrels and barn owls
Are Kestrels on an endangered list? Does the British Wildlife Service rehome bird’s Would there ever be a time when buzzards would be moved to another location?
@@brigidconroy2111That would be fantastic to see them put on the endangered species list …..quickly. They’re hatching new kestrels, but if there’s only 6-7 per season, combined with early losses, they’ll need help if they will catch up with increasing their numbers. 🙏🏻🤞🏻🫶🏼
@@brigidconroy2111I‘m thinking that buzzards and kites would be just as natural to the landscape as kestrels. It could be that the high number of kestrels before the return of larger bird of prey was unnatural and that really the area wouldn‘t typically support more than the current number, if all the birds of prey were present. Just like foxes wouldn‘t exist in the numbers that they do, if wolves were present in their natural numbers. As lager species disappeared, some of the smaller ones had an opportunity to outgrow their niche. But with the restoration of the larger species, they might be put back…
@@alexk7973 Mother Nature is a bit of a dirty bird for a species to thrive another must die I have always thought of buzzards as carrion birds rather than hunters but gross as that thought is that can be a necessity
You do a masterful job, Robert.
You are so kind hearted Mr. Robert E Fuller. I really appreciate your generosity and love for bird ❤.
May God bless you with great Success in every step of your life 😇.
It'll be interesting to see who's the lucky one for Jenny in 2024. But Jeff & Mr. Kes broke the image of only females providing for the chicks. It was also interesting to observe Jeff's journey from a young lad to an helpful mate & father even though it was for short span.
It was funny since Mr kes was courting Jeff, odd he didnt recognize jeff as male even if his feathers werenr developes
Fantastic video and story Robert, hats off to Jenny, what a super mum! I enjoy all your videos. What you do is amazing absolutely amazing the way you help wildlife and share it with us. Nature is incredible 😊
What predators do Kestrels have besides Kites? Poor Jeff, may his babies live on. ❤
beautiful narration. Thanks
Beautiful❤
What stunning countryside 💚💚💚
Such a wonderful Film Robert. Keep doing a great work. I feel so relax when watching your films. Thank you.
I just love these longer movies u create, absolutely wonderful and so much better than hollywood can churn out! Thanku
My heart breaks for Jeff and for you, who gets so attached to those in your care. Thank you again for the video. It is heartwarming to see Jeff's and Jenny's babies grow up well.
What a wonderful story! Thank you so much.
Thank you, as always Robert. As a fan of the remarkable Mr. Kes, I am sad to see his equally remarkable son is now gone. I noticed these chicks weren't ringed. I'm assuming that Jenny was never gone long enough for you to get them out of the nest and back before she returned. Hopefully at least one of them will stay in the area to carry on what Mr. Kes began. Thank you!
Facinating! Beautiful! Thank you!
Amazingly beautiful ❤
Everyone is a hero in his story. So does jeff too. His early demise made me feel bad too.
I loved Kestrels❤
Love watching fantastic great guy Robert hope there's lots more 👍
Jenny and Jeff what a sweet love story... Thank you for these beautiful videos...
Thank you so much for all of the hard work you do to help them all survive 😊. And, tell us all about their story❤
Jeff, You were a great dad who learned from a great dad 🧡😢. My son is also named Jeff and he was also born on May 4th 🙂
Just LOVE your narration!
Very nice
Great job!
Well done!!.
Tears of sadness and happiness at the end....
Good luck Jenny!!!
Jeff will be missed, but Jenny did great! Curious, was there a reason this brood was not ringed?
It's so beautiful to watch male birds to care and protect there babies better then humans.
I've been having this sort-of fantasy lately: Wouldn't it be cool if one of Jeff's brothers (presuming there were other males in that brood of Mr & Mrs Kes) decided to venture back to Fotherdale and then hooked up with Jenny?
I do so adore you Robert!!
Take care of yourself PLEASE!!
😊🌹Why weren't these little sweetlings ringed.. I was wondering🌸
Was our favorite Jeanne busy??❤ ❤❤❤
I miss this life so much 💙
Wow, what a great dad Jeff was! I noticed you did not ring the chicks this time, any reason for that?
I’m surprised that Jeff was following his father’s steps before his untimely demise. He’s really a good father to his children. RIP Jeff. 🙏
Danke💖
Thank you for your brilliant work!
I really love this series of videos its just Amazing.
I am sad about Jeff. I watched him grow up. And now he's gone.
Hai robert very good video, i am love your videos.
Nice.
Thanks!
Awesome video! Is there a reason why these chicks weren’t banded?
I was away in the Arctic 🥶 Svalbard filming when they were the right size
👍👍👍
أI follow you from Iraq 🇮🇶 I love your wonderful channel
Thank you very much for this wonderful video 🤗🌹
Beautiful
I just love these videos.