Common Kestrel: In winter

The Common Kestrel is largely a migratory bird, but some individuals overwinter.

• Migrants: most Swedish kestrels are short-distance migrants that move to western and southern Europe over the winter.
• Stayers: the odd individual remains in southern Sweden during mild winters and continues to hunt voles.
• Absence: over most of the country the species is gone from late autumn until March and is not seen hovering again until spring returns.

The size of the population fluctuates from year to year in step with the abundance of voles, which governs both breeding and overwintering.

More about the Common Kestrel

• Song & calls
• Breeding
• Nest & eggs
• Diet