After a five-year break, kestrels have returned to breed at Crossness nature reserve in Bexley.

A kestrel pair arrived at the 20-hectare Thames Water site in May, and have been enjoying the rich hunting ground and space offered by the reserve - the last remaining area of grazing marshland in greater London.

The last kestrel chicks to hatch at Crossness took flight in 2010, but with the new lovebirds taking up residence in a nesting box, the chirrups of newborn chicks will hopefully enrich the nature reserve later in the summer.

Kestrels are listed as 'amber' on conservation watch lists.

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Karen Sutton, biodiversity manager at Thames Water, said: "Crossness nature reserve is incredibly important as it offers the kestrel wide-open spaces with plenty of vegetation for hunting small mammals, large insects and reptiles. 

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"With the species in decline, it’s really important we keep encouraging the bird to nest here."

Richard Spink, photographer and member of the Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve, earlier this month captured incredible images of the pair in their new domestic set-up. 

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Armed with camouflage equipment, he shot some inspiring photographs of the male kestrel bringing his lady-friend some small-mammal cuisine.

He said: "As soon as I could see movement, I had the camera set up on target and my finger on the shutter release. 

"Good job too. 

"First, the male came out backwards, quickly followed by the female who flew straight off, quickly followed by the male. 

"It was all over in about five seconds."