In 1990 and 1991, a nestbox fixed to an electricity pole near the entrance 
of the reservoir was used successfully by a pair of Kestrels. In 1990, we 
observed their diet, directly and indirectly by looking at pellets and other 
debris. It comprised mainly large insects (grasshoppers, mole crickets, 
beetles), small birds and a considerable number of Levantine voles. 
During 1991, voles were scarce and so the Kestrels changed to eating 
reptiles. At the end of the breeding season we found below the nestbox 
the remains of eight Agama lizards Agama stellio and eight Chameleons 
Chamaele cJiamaeleon. The heads and tails of both prey species had been 
discarded. 
Other available reptiles such as juvenile snakes (Coluber jugularis asianiis 
and Natrix tessellata), lizards (Ophisops elegans) and skinks (Chalcides 
ocellatus and Mabuya vittata) were not taken. 
Although it is well-known that Kestrels occasionally take reptiles, it is 
unusual for them to be such a prominent part of the diet. 
Zoological Museum Dept. Evolution, Systematics and Ecology, Benrnin 
Building, Hebreu^ University, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel 
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