The Female Kestrel is the parent that watches the nest while the male hunts. She typically sits a short distance from the nest box, patiently waiting for her mate to return with food for her and the young. At times, he did not return for hours. Then, she would take some opportunities for hawking insects or flying down for the occasional vole. Nothing escaped her keen eye, and it mattered little whether the intruder was large or small. This Northern Harrier was escorted away, and in my hours of viewing, I never saw it in her territory again. Once, an insistent Bluebird was crazy enough to want to check out the box. He was quickly dispensed!