The flying guardians of Heinfels Castle: Kestrels live on the web

 

The kestrels at Heinfels Castle have had their nesting place for many years in a niche in the wall of the kitchen tower built in the 14th century. Every year four to five young falcons hatch and start their first flight attempts. For the first time, the falcons can be observed live via a newly installed "falcon cam."

"We finally managed to drill a hole in the wall from behind and install a webcam in time for the start of the breeding season," says a satisfied Peter-Paul Kofler. He is the caretaker of Heinfels Castle and a trained falconer. There is not much going on in the opening in the wall where a beam used to be, but the pair of falcons can always be seen and heard around the castle. During the mating season a lot of activity takes place outside the future nesting site. Occasionally one of the two falcons, with or without prey, will look over and scratch something in the nest.

But when does life move in? "At the end of April or the beginning of May things get interesting. The female lays four to six eggs, which are incubated for about 30 days. The kestrels then hatch in early to mid-June," says Peter Paul Kofler. Raising the young falcons takes another four to five weeks. Then the nest in the castle is always noisy, especially when the young birds are fed alternately by mother and father. How many of the youngsters finally succeed is always exciting.

Peter-Paul Kofler with young kestrel "Laurentius" in August 2020, shortly before it was released back into the wild.

Peter-Paul Kofler: "Last summer a kestrel fell out of the nest. I tried to raise it, but to no avail". Three years ago, however, a small falcon was more fortunate in its first attempts to fly. Despite a "crash" on the chapel roof that resulted in a broken wing, Peter-Paul Kofler was able to nurse the young bird back to health after several weeks of care. "It was tiring, but it was worth it. It was a very emotional moment when I was able to release the kestrel back into the wild above the battlements of the castle".

Now everyone is waiting to see if, as in previous years, there will be offspring. "We really hope so," says Peter-Paul Kofler, glancing eagerly at the webcam. It can be found at at Earthcam (with images from the archive).

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We start the new museum season with motivation on May 2, 2024. In winter, we will continue to open the castle to groups of 10 people or more by prior arrangement, but we are also happy to open it to fewer people at a fixed price.

This year was characterized by a lively museum, concerts, exhibitions and exciting activities at Heinfels Castle. The castle remains an important cultural hotspot in East Tyrol and beyond.

"The Runway Quartet" brought Broadway to Tyrol on July 8: Dragan Trajkovski, Robert Gmachl-Pammer, Craig Hansford and Florian Bramböck provided enthusiasm and many encores in front of a sold-out venue.

On May 4, Heinfels Castle starts again into a new museum and event season. A colorful and varied program should attract many visitors. For the first time, a special exhibition will be shown in the rooms of the future castle tavern together with the Tyrolean Photo Archive (TAP).

The kestrels at Heinfels Castle have had their nesting place for many years in a niche in the wall of the kitchen tower built in the 14th century. Every year four to five young falcons hatch and start their first flight attempts. For the first time, the falcons can be observed live via a newly installed "falcon cam."

We are officially on winter break since November 6 and will start motivated on May 4, 2023 in the new museum season. In winter we continue to open the castle for groups of 10 people or more by appointment!

After last year's launch, the "Heinfelser Burgweihnacht" (Christmas at Heinfels Castle) will take place for the second time in a historical setting: The local associations invite you to Heinfels Castle on 17 and 18 December for an enjoyable day of festivities.

We are pleased with architect Gerhard Mitterberger about the "Award of the Province of Tyrol for New Building 2022", which was awarded on November 10 in Innsbruck.

Little concerts by outstanding ensembles in a historical setting - this is the motto of the performances during the Heinfels Castle Summer 2022. The inner courtyard and the "Langer Saal" serve as venues for a special musical treat in the largest castle complex in the Puster Valley.

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After two successful events, the third edition of the spectacular running event "Count of Castle 2022" will take place on 1 July 2022. The start is at the historic "Punbrugge", the finish again the last level of the keep. The sprinters have to cover a distance of 1.1 km, 140 metres in altitude and 265 steps to get there.

The 25th edition of the International Choir Festival brings some choirs for the first time to Heinfels Castle! On Saturday, 18. 6., choirs from Italy will give a guest performance in the impressive historical scenery, starting at 1 pm. Free entry, welcome!