I spent the morning with the Connecticut Butterfly Association members and other butterfly enthusiasts at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven. We gathered this morning to tag some monarch butterflies as they migrate their way south to Mexico. Monarch numbers were low but it was still an enjoyable time and the best part.... I just walked across the field and did some hawkwatching when we were done!
I didn't bring the camera because I figured I wouldn't need it since the hawks would be too high to get decent images. For the most part that was true until the afternoon when a male Cooper's Hawk flew over our table, a resident Red-shouldered Hawk made a trip around the field, and an Osprey decided to fly fairly close and check us out. We has strong winds today, almost making it chilly, but they were coming mostly from the East and not exactly the best for a hawkwatch. I have no idea what total numbers were but here are the raptors I remember seeing, migrating or not.
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin
I picked up a few ID hint/ helps but as one would expect... I still need a ton more practice. We are planning on doing a hawkwatch at work this Friday as long as the weather and winds look good for it. With what we've seen around so far it should be great. http://birdingwestcampus.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-watch-season.html For this past weeks hawks at work.
Showing posts with label American Kestrel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Kestrel. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Littlest Falcon
Three different species of falcon call Connecticut home, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, and American Kestrel. The American Kestrel, the smallest of the three falcon species, is an open prairie or grassland hunter in general, feeding on almost any small moving animal. They are known best for their love of grasshoppers and dragonflies as food for their young. Unfortunately, this habitat is becoming compressed in the state and compounding that with a reduction in nesting spots, the population of nesting kestrels has dropped. Recent efforts by bird lovers such as Art Gingert and Tom Sayers have helped these falcons bounce back, if even just a little.
Now for my story: Yale's West Campus is approximately 130 acres, many of it wooded, but the majority is landscapes lawns and some natural grassy areas. We have been working to encourage the landscapers to retain as much 'natural' habitat as possible in hopes that it will attract more bird species. Our current species count on campus is at over 100 and American Kestrel is one of those we have seen on frequent occasions. So, it didn't take long for us to begin to wonder if maybe a kestrel would want to use campus to raise their young.
Sue (my coworker) and I decided to try and get a nest box to hang in one of these natural grassy areas. We made contact with Art Gingert who supplies nest boxes in suitable habitat but he felt ours was not good enough quality to be able to give us a box, when other better habitat was in need. We however, have a tough time giving up so easy and instead dug into our pockets and pulled together enough money to buy the supplies to build our own box.
After months of delay (it was winter anyway), we volunteered Nate another coworker to help us put together the box. After about 7 months of the wood sitting around, two weeks was all it took to get the box together and ready to hang. Last Wednesday was a nice sunny day, we had some spare time, and a nest box ready to hang. Here are a series of pictures from the afternoon.
If you have an interest in learning more about American Kestrel, information can be hard to find, I'd suggest starting here.
Information about Tom Sayers work in CT can be found here.
Directions from Art Gingert on how to build a nest box can be found here
We are keeping our eyes on the box and around campus in general for kestrels. I'll keep you posted with any updates.
Now for my story: Yale's West Campus is approximately 130 acres, many of it wooded, but the majority is landscapes lawns and some natural grassy areas. We have been working to encourage the landscapers to retain as much 'natural' habitat as possible in hopes that it will attract more bird species. Our current species count on campus is at over 100 and American Kestrel is one of those we have seen on frequent occasions. So, it didn't take long for us to begin to wonder if maybe a kestrel would want to use campus to raise their young.
Sue (my coworker) and I decided to try and get a nest box to hang in one of these natural grassy areas. We made contact with Art Gingert who supplies nest boxes in suitable habitat but he felt ours was not good enough quality to be able to give us a box, when other better habitat was in need. We however, have a tough time giving up so easy and instead dug into our pockets and pulled together enough money to buy the supplies to build our own box.
After months of delay (it was winter anyway), we volunteered Nate another coworker to help us put together the box. After about 7 months of the wood sitting around, two weeks was all it took to get the box together and ready to hang. Last Wednesday was a nice sunny day, we had some spare time, and a nest box ready to hang. Here are a series of pictures from the afternoon.
 |
| Lynn (Me) showing off the finished product |
 |
| Hanging the kestrel nest box about 12' from the ground. |
 |
| Nate doing some final touches |
If you have an interest in learning more about American Kestrel, information can be hard to find, I'd suggest starting here.
Information about Tom Sayers work in CT can be found here.
Directions from Art Gingert on how to build a nest box can be found here
We are keeping our eyes on the box and around campus in general for kestrels. I'll keep you posted with any updates.
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