Along with the hen harrier and short-eared owl, kestrels are specialist hunters of small mammals, particularly voles, whose presence or absence often dictates the kestrel’s distribution. As a result they are common throughout the Uists where voles are abundant but rare on Lewis, Harris and Barra where voles are absent.
On Uist extensive areas of moorland, rough grazing and Machair, provide plenty of vole habitat to support a healthy population of kestrels. In the Outer Hebrides kestrels most often nest in clefts and holes in rock faces but they have also been found nesting in ruined buildings and using old raven’s nests. In common with all other falcons, kestrels don’t build a nest of their own but either use old nests of other species or prepare a rudimentary scrape on bare earth.
They are easily distinguished from other small birds of prey by their habit of hovering which enables them to stay stationary in mid air whilst searching for prey.
DIET
Kestels feed mainly on small mammals such as voles but will take items as large as rats. They will also feed on small birds and large insects.
WHERE TO LOOK
Kestrels are common at all the Uist trail locations. Outside the Uists they are rare but the Eagle Observatory on Harris is the most reliable location.
WHEN TO LOOK
Kestrels are resident all year but tend to frequent lowland and coastal areas more during the winter and moorland areas in the spring and summer.
