The student portal of Université Grenoble Alpes

The UGA is honored and delighted to announce the installation of two new official residents: Jean-Michel and Isabelle Crécerelle, members of the falcon family... Crécerelle.

For the past two years, some of their fellow students have been squatting, at their peril, in the under-roofs of the BU Joseph Fourier - remember the drama of the fall of the falcon that made UGA headlines last year (LPO event reports) - this year, the couple moved into a magnificent penthouse donated by UGA.

"Installed on the facade and under the roof of the Science Library, the nesting box is made of aluminum for durability and strength-to-weight ratio.
It is manufactured and assembled in the Loire region.
It is white so as not to heat up in the sun.
It has a large platform to enable the adults to distribute food to the chicks in good conditions.
When the chicks are ready to fly, they can build up their wing muscles by clinging to the platform's specially-calculated holes.
Kestrels don't build nests, but the small round pebbles (which, unlike sand, don't fly away) allow the pair to dig out a basin in which to lay their eggs.
Egg-laying generally takes place in April. A couple can lay up to 7 eggs."
Jean-Pascal Faverjon - Kestrel specialist at the LPO.
 
Indeed, it seems that Jean-Michel and Isabelle have completely adopted this cozy UGA nest, as they have chosen it as the home for their future family.
6 eggs are currently present in the nest...

In fact, the UGA community can follow this new live university reality show and comment on the trials and tribulations of avian married life, without any embarrassment, it's important to point out, for the birds of prey and their future offspring.

Streaming video consumes energy. Remember to pause or close the window when you're not watching.

First souvenir photo of the UGA Kestrel family loft

The Kestrel or Falco tinnunculus is without doubt the best-known and most abundant diurnal bird of prey in France. It belongs to the Falconidae family, which also includes the Peregrine Falcon, the Hobby Falcon, the Merlin... Falconidae are characterized by tapering wings, a round head, dark eyes and a relatively short, hooked beak... Source Ligue
To learn more about this bird, visit the LPO's dedicated web page.

You can also download the Livret de Famille de Jean-Michel et Isabelle Crécerelle, published by the LPO.















LPO Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has been monitoring the nesting of peregrine falcons and kestrels for several years, particularly in urban areas. Initially installed in the Loire region, webcams on artificial nesting boxes are now expanding to include 4 cameras filming pairs 24 hours a day during the nesting period.
The cameras were installed by LPO volunteer and falcon specialist Jean-Pascal Faverjon, in partnership with the UGA, Covivio - Lyon and the communes of Châteauneuf and Saint-Chamond.

UGA, biodiversity and the LPO: a collaboration takes off!

Also read the online article on biodiversity in the city and the campus as a certified refuge...