32:23
With the breeding season over, and the chick safely fledged, the kestrels Apollo and Athena no longer use the nest site every day. This leaves Ash Hollow open to new occupants. A pair of stock doves seem to think this might be the perfect place to raise a family. She sees the jackdaw leave, and is relieved to find her precious egg still intact. Over the coming days, a gray squirrel investigates. And next, the two homeowners, the kestrels, go on the attack. While the female's out, the jackdaws return.
She tries to drive them away. But jackdaws are intelligent and extremely persistent. The female stock dove is frantic. But the jackdaws won't give way. The doves give up. This spells disaster for this clutch. But the female's drive to protect their eggs is so strong, she returns. She checks out the nest and continues to brood, even though it's too late. The jackdaws are back to finish off their work.
Hopefully, one day these doves will find somewhere where they can raise a clutch successfully. After all this drama, Ash Hollow is empty again, and hopefully ready for a better chapter. Athena and Apollo reclaim their nest and prepare for the next breeding season. So far, they've been the only species to ward off the threat of jackdaws.
