KESTREL
The most commonly seen bird of prey on the mainland, but on Lundy, due to the abundance of peregrines, it is just an occasional visitor.
Kestrels can visit the island at any time of year but are mostly in late Summer and Autumn. Males and females are of a similar size, with the differences being in colouration.
Males have a blue/grey head and tail with reddish-brown wings, whereas the female has a reddish-brown head, tail and wings. Both sexes have black tipped wings and tail.
If the peregrines were not present, kestrels would thrive here. There are plenty of potential nest sites, and an abundance of food; beetles, pygmy shrews and fledgling birds.
A kestrel hanging in a summer sky, hovering over an unsuspecting snack, is a wonderful thing to watch. They can be seen doing just that over the plateau and also along the cliffs and the Sidelands.
