Kestrel nesting in France has entered one of its most delicate stages. In Entre-deux-Eaux, Vosges, France, a pair of common kestrels is now incubating six eggs on a live cam.
The nest sits in a small attic window opening on a house. It is about 30 feet above the ground. It is not a cliff, a tree cavity, or a hidden woodland ledge. Instead, these wild kestrels have turned a quiet corner of a home into a nursery.
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The kestrels first began nesting at this location in 2021. Now, in 2026, the familiar attic nest is active again. Six kestrel eggs are tucked beneath the warmth of the attending parent, while viewers wait for the next major change.
A Six-Egg Clutch Builds Day by Day
The season began with the first recorded visit from a male kestrel on February 21, 2026. That early visit marked the beginning of another nesting season at this France kestrel nest.
The first egg arrived on April 22 at 10:54. The second followed on April 24 at 17:01. Two days later, the third egg was laid on April 26 at 20:28.
The clutch continued to grow at the end of April. The fourth egg arrived on April 29 at 01:16. The fifth egg came on May 1 at 08:15. Then, on May 3 at 09:48, the sixth egg completed the clutch.
With six eggs now in the nest, kestrel nesting in France has moved from egg-laying into steady incubation.
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Why the Third and Fourth Eggs Matter
Common kestrels in France and across Europe usually incubate their eggs for 27 to 31 days. The female does most of the sitting. However, steady incubation often begins after the third or fourth egg is laid.
That timing is important. It means the chicks may not hatch all at once. Instead, the kestrel eggs may hatch over several days.
For this nest, the third egg was laid on April 26. The fourth egg arrived on April 29. Those dates may be key markers for viewers watching the live cam.
When Could the Kestrel Eggs Hatch?
If incubation follows the usual 27-to-31-day pattern, the first hatch could come in late May. The earliest possible window begins around May 23, if steady incubation began near the third egg.
A slightly later hatch window is also possible. If stronger incubation began closer to the fourth egg, the first chick may arrive closer to May 26 through May 30.
The final eggs could hatch after that. Since the sixth egg was laid on May 3, activity could continue into early June.
That makes the Entre-deux-Eaux kestrel live cam one to watch closely as May moves forward.
The Nest May Look Still, But Change Is Happening
This is the stage where very little seems to happen. Yet inside the six kestrel eggs, everything is changing.
The attending parent keeps the eggs warm. The eggs are turned and protected. The attic window nest remains quiet, but the work of development continues day by day.
The next big moment may not come with a dramatic arrival from the sky. It may begin with a tiny crack in a shell.
A Rare View of Wild Common Kestrels
This live cam gives viewers a rare look at wild common kestrels in France. The nest is simple, sheltered, and close to human life. Still, it has become a powerful window into the kestrels’ breeding season.
As hatching nears, small details may become more important. Watch for careful egg turning, more frequent shifts in the nest, changes in the female’s behavior, or the first signs of pipping.
For now, kestrel nesting in France is in its waiting season. Six eggs rest in the attic nest, and the next chapter may begin very soon.
Egg Timeline
The male kestrel made his first recorded visit on February 21, 2026. The first egg was laid on April 22 at 10:54. The second egg followed on April 24 at 17:01.
The third egg arrived on April 26 at 20:28. The fourth was laid on April 29 at 01:16. The fifth egg came on May 1 at 08:15. The sixth egg completed the clutch on May 3 at 09:48.
FAQ
Where is this kestrel nest located?
This kestrel nest is located in Entre-deux-Eaux, Vosges, France. More specifically, the birds are nesting in a small attic window opening on a house, about 30 feet above the ground.
How many eggs are in the kestrel nest?
The nest now holds six eggs. First, the female laid the first egg on April 22, 2026. Then, she completed the clutch with the sixth egg on May 3, 2026.
When will the kestrel eggs hatch?
Common kestrels usually incubate their eggs for 27 to 31 days. Since steady incubation often begins around the third or fourth egg, hatching may begin in late May, with chicks possibly emerging over several days.
Which parent incubates the kestrel eggs?
The female does most of the incubation, although the male plays an important role by visiting, guarding, and helping support the nesting effort.
When did kestrels first start nesting at this site?
Kestrels first began nesting at this attic window site in 2021.