[Birdtalk] KESTREL NEST BOX

Mon Mar 26 21:03:54 MST 2007

 Linda:

 Thank you for your question. Kestrel's are already a part of the environment, like the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks who take songbirds too. The Kestrel's focus is more often on voles, mice and large insects (when in season). They take birds when snow is too deep to reach the small mammals and insects are not available.

 Introducing a Kestrel Box to your property would not end your enjoying the other backyard birds frequenting your yard. Just as the visiting Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk does not make the birds abandon the area when it is present. They will flee to avoid imminent danger but quickly return when that danger has been "satisfied."

 Kestrel's will readily take to a box mounted on a building. It is best to orient the cavity hole in an easterly direction (northeast, east or southeast), so that it gets morning sun and not sun on the opening all day long. 
 Place the box high up on the building, ideally just under an eave which will offer protection from rain and snow. I put 2-3 inches of wood shavings in the bottom of the box. Kestrels will evict starlings once they have decided to use a box, should starlings try and move into it.

 Regards,

 Bill Fenimore
 Utah Audubon Policy Advocate
 1860 North 1000 West
 Layton, UT 84041-1858
 801-525-8400 Business
 801-525-8415 Fax
 801-699-9330 Cellular

 -----Original Message-----
 From: lindasbutler at juno.com
 To: birderb at aol.com
 Cc: birdtalk at utahbirds.org
 Sent: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:01 AM
 Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] KESTREL NEST BOX

  Bill (and others), I've thought about putting up a kestrel nest box on the side of my house. But I also have a half-dozen feeders for smaller birds. Wouldn't the presence of kestrels present a danger to these smaller birds? How much does inviting predator birds impact backyard bird feeding? Linda     On Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:09:07 -0400 birderb at aol.com writes:  Jim:

 Thank you for your posting. These birds are fun to watch use a nest box too. They can also be attracted to a box mounted on a building. There are commercial boxes available for those who do not want to build one. Western Screech Owls will use the same box that is suitable for Kestrels. 

 Regards,

  Bill Fenimore
 Utah Audubon Policy Advocate

 801-525-8400 Work
 801-525-8415 Fax
 801-699-9330 Cellular

 -----Original Message-----
 From: james.d.mcintyre at att.net
 To: birdtalk at utahbirds.org
 Cc: 'NORMAN.NELSON.'@secureserver.securesites.net; birderpat at hotmail.com; wwilson at rivernetwork.org
 Sent: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 7:05 PM
 Subject: [Birdtalk] KESTREL NEST BOX

   There was considerable interest in the IBLE message about the nesting kestrels that I relayed to BIRDTALK. So I wrote to the poster, Wendy Wilson, and asked for more info about her nest box.   The box constructor, Norman Nelson, was kind enough to reply with the info below.   Thanks to all for their response and interest.   Jim McIntyre   -----Original Message-----
 From: NORMAN NELSON [mailto:echofilm at mindspring.com] 
 Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 1:57 PM
 To: james.d.mcintyre at att.net
 Subject: KESTREL   You still have time to get a box up and attract bird this year, no guarantees but
 it ‘s been really successful so far.

 Buy a 3/4 inch by 8 inch pine wood board 10” long. Put Varathane on it or oil. 

 You need 4 18” long sides, a 2 1/4 inch hole, a sloping roof, and an 8 inch square floor.

 Put this box up where you can see the hole, at least 13’ up, some 35 yards away from 
 your home or yard activity. If it’s really hot temp where you are put a piece of plywood
 or cardboard on the South side of the box to insulate it from heat.
 Box must be in the open as falcons dive into the box they won’t use it if has
 branches around it.

 On the net, type in Kestrel box, and you’ll find lots of info. You may buy a box
 from The Peregrine Fund.org. Make one with your kids its better.

 If you attract a kestrel you be thrilled with the behavior of these small, proud,
 fast flying and aggressive true falcons.

 Best
 Norm Nelson

 -- 
 Echo Film Productions
 407 W Bannock
 Boise, Id 83702 USA
 208 336 0349
 fax 208 336 0858
 www.echofilms.com
 echofilm at mindspring.com    _______________________________________________
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