Hello, this is a general query to the nestbox discussion group. As a matter of curiosity, has anyone had success getting kestrels to move into a nestbox from an established nesting spot? We have had kestrels on our property nesting in a barn siding for at least a couple of years now. Since seeing some of the fledglings dead in the corral, I wanted to get them out of the corral area and so have erected a nestbox on the side of our radio tower. Posting the view inside the box. Now we just need a tenant!
Comments:
Hello!
Hello!
Has the barn siding been sealed? The best way to encourage kestrels to move to the nest box instead would be to make their previous nesting area inaccessible. It sounds like that would be safest for all kestrels involved.
-Delora
Great idea! Thanks. We will
Great idea! Thanks. We will work on that. I didn't do it in the past because there are a lot of other birds out there and I didn't want to inadvertently seal anyone up, but maybe there is a way to ensure it is empty before we cover that space.
Laura
I did get the barn sealed on
I did get the barn sealed on the side where the male kestrel has been roosting at night recently (and where they were nesting in past years). I've not seen the female yet this year, but the male has been very distraught not to be able to get into his spot at night. Several evenings he made multiple, noisy attempts to dislodge the material we wedged in the entrance. I have not seen any interest in the nest box we offered and hope that we have not chased them off for good!
Sounds normal - males arrive
Sounds normal - males arrive at nest locations first to scope out potential nesting cavities, and then they display to females to attract them to the site.
Give the male some time, I bet he will find the nest box! The last thing we want is dead fledglings like before.
-Delora