General Discussion : Delayed nesting near Bozeman, Montana

 

Kestrel nesting this year around the Bozeman, Montana area seems to be unusually delayed.  We began checking boxes in mid to late May.  At this time last year kestrels were well into their incubation stage, hatching approximately June 1st.  However this year we found boxes with pairs of kestrels nearby, kestrels on the boxes, even kestrels looking out of the boxes, but with no eggs or only one egg, as if they just commenced laying.  The birds seem bonded to the site and even to the boxes but we were surprised that there were many nest boxes without eggs this late in the season.  There is either a delay in the nesting this year, or there will be many territories without any nesting at all.  Has anyone noticed a similar trend?  If anyone can shed any light on this situation I would greatly appreciate it.  We will be going back to recheck the boxes soon to see if the kestrels have indeed laid eggs and begun incubating late this year.    Paulette Epple, Sacajawea Audubon Society

 

 

Comments:

Sarah Schulwitz's picture

Hi Paulette,

Thanks for sharing. Last week I spoke with Geoff Pampush, who told me about this pattern in your area this year. I'll be curious to hear if any other partners in your neck of the woods are experiencing a similar trend.

All the best, Sarah

Posted in General Discussion by sacajaweaaudubon 7 years 10 months ago.

 

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