Hello, I installed a kestrel nest box 2 years ago at a county park, no luck yet. I have a second one, and would like some advice / guidance choosing the best location for it, and the best placement in that location. I live in Fairfax County, Virginia. Please contact me if you can provide good advice about appropriate nest box habitat, or can tell me where to find it. Thank you. -Steve Johnson stevejohnson2 (at) verizon (dot) net 2015Sept26
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Comments:
The thing American Kestrels
The thing American Kestrels love the most: Open, grassy habitat with lots of insect/rodent/reptile food available. Kestrels avoid tree cover or other "cluttered" habitats, and thus, the more open, the better.
Farmlands, Savannah, Desert, Wild Grasslands, etc are all ideal habitats for American Kestrels. Mounting nest boxes to lone trees, fence posts, or other poles is great. Just be sure to point the nest box away from any roads, and avoid high-traffic roads entirely. Placing the nest box 8-30 feet high is a good idea, to protect from predators.
Kestrels seem to prefer Southeast-facing nest boxes.
Some more detail can be found here! http://kestrel.peregrinefund.org/index.php?action=faq