I have been making nest box observations every two weeks, opening a hinged door on the side of the box and looking in. On the last observation, on May 25, I saw five nestlings looking back and staying very still. Yesterday I saw one of them has fledged and was out on a tree branch next to the nest box. Today there are two of them there on the branch and two heads poking out of the box entryway.
My question is: Is it safe for me to go open the nest box door and look inside? I don't want to take the chance of disturbing the birds in the nest that have not fledged and scare them out on to the ground.
We feel that disturbing them may cause a premature fledge. We band our nestlings about 20 days from hatching.
We beleive after 20 days if disturbed they may fledge prematurely. As a precaution this is what we practice.
For a weath of information link to Kestrel Korner at http://www.nu-sun.com/html/kestrel_korner.html
Have a nice day,
Nu-Sun Cinema, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
It seems my problem has been solved. This morning ther were four birds on branches outside the nest box and one looking out through the box entryway. Two of them are making short flights back and forth to nearby trees. I assume there is no need to disturb them by opening the nest box door.
Your concern was well-warranted—thanks for asking! The American Kestrel Partnership recommends boxes be checked at the latest when the nestlings are 23 days old, for exactly the reason you and Nu-Sun have described: if the nestlings are older than this, the disturbance can cause them to leave the nest prematurely. At this point we'd give it another week or so before you take another peek in the box and report your findings (which by then, will likely be an empty box).
We love this photo! Would you mind if we shared this on social media or in print materials? If you provide your name we'll be happy to credit you whenever it's used.
Matthew
AKP Staff
Feel free to use the photo. Brandt Allen
Thank you Brandt! And thanks for your participation in the American Kestrel Partnership.
Matthew
AKP Staff
Yes Brandt Allen,
This a fantastic photo !!!
Nu-Sun Cinema, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.