We live on a five-acre property and we have at least one kestrel that likes to hang around even in mid-winter, which has made us interested in putting up a nesting box. We have a barn that overlooks an open grassland (facing East, which I've read is best) which seems like the perfect place to put the box, but we do noisy work out there -- metal grinding, wood cutting, automotive repairs, welding, etc. Would that kind of noise disturb the birds and keep them from using the box?
- Information
- The American Kestrel
- Kestrel Biology
- Population Declines
- Partnership Overview
- Partnership Introduction
- Staff and Partners
- Supporting Organizations
- Monitoring Nest Boxes
- Nest Boxes: Install and Monitor
- Entering Your Data
- Other Tips and Tricks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact
- Community
- Participate
- Become a partner
- Tune in: KestrelCams!
- Join the Discussion
- Browse Professional Photography
- Stay Updated
- Newsletter Archives
- AKP: On the Radar!
- Adopt and Shop
- Adopt a Kestrel box
- Shop + Annual Fundraiser
- Research
- Your Data
- Sign in to enter data
- Kestrel research
- Research goals
- Data display
- Staff Publications
- Additional Kestrel Research
- Donate
Comments:
Another two questions:
Another two questions:
I was given a box that didn't have kerfs or anything inside to help the birds climb up and out. How important is this? Should I take apart the box to make the kerfs with a saw or can I use plastic netting?
I also read that blowflies are a problem for some birds (blue birds, for example) but it doesn't sound like they bother kestrels as much. I'm curious because that will help me decide whether to put a blowfly trap in the bottom.
Hello!
Hello!
For your first comment - it sounds like you have the ideal habitat. While the noise may effect the birds, it depends more on the distance to the activity. If you are out in front of where the nest box would be placed often, then the kestrels may choose to nest elsewhere. If that is the case, I would recommend placing the nestbox elsewhere - for instance, on a post attached to a fencepost that is out of the way would be even more ideal than the barn.
For your second question, young kestrels do not need any sort of kerfs or anything to climb out of the nest box. When they are ready to fledge, they are able to climb and hop with their talons and wings no problem, even if the wall is bare. I would not worry about it.
It is possible that blowflies are an issue, however, I have not had any partners with the AKP report issues with flies. Perhaps that is something you can observe while monitoring your nest box - if you notice blowflies being a big issue, then you could place a trap for the future. Otherwise, there is likely no need to worry about it.
Feel free to ask more questions anytime :)
Our barn kestrels: We have
Our barn kestrels: We have had a pair of nesting kestrels for a couple of years, who are nesting along a very tightly fitted siding running along the side of our barn (similar sized property) where the barn wall meets the roof. The barn activity does not seem to bother them, but we are hoping to relocate them to a newly installed nest box on the side of our radio tower, since I found a couple of dead fledglings in the corral last year. I'm not sure they will want to leave their established nest, but hoping that we have offered something homey!