See kestrels nest at Wat Tyler Country Park

7:00am Friday 3rd July 2009

BIRDLOVERS can enjoy the amazing sight of a kestrel pair raising their chicks.

This summer, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is offering visitors to Pitsea’s Wat Tyler Country Park the chance to watch the birds in a specially-built nest box.

They can also find out about what the birds eat, how they hunt and how they raise their young.

Kitty Brayne, Date with Nature project officer for the organisation, said: “Now is the perfect time to visit Wat Tyler and check out the kestrel family.

“Using our telescopes and binoculars, you can get great close-up views of the chicks who are round and fluffy at the moment.

“A few times a day, the male drops off food for the family at lightning speed and it’s amazing to watch the feeding frenzy that follows, as the mother helps tear up the prey for her chicks.”

The free kestrel viewpoint will be open at the park in Pitsea Hall Lane from 11 am to 5pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from now until July 26.

For more information call 01268 559158 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature

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