A neighbor is training to become a falconer and recently caught a juvenile kestrel from a family of kestrels across the road from us to begin her training. The family of kestrels has nested across the road from us for several years. I know she inadvertantly caught the adult male several times before catching one of the juveniles.
What effect will that have on the kestrels? I know kestrels will return to the same nest and am wondering if catching the adult might traumatize them to the point that they would nest elsewhere next year.
Hope
Comments:
Dear Hope,
Dear Hope,
As long as your neighbor doesn't trap from that nest site year after year, the mated pair shouldn't find a new site. Also, as long as she carefully checked the trapped adult male for injuries that may have been caused by trapping (which is rare) before releasing him he should be fine.
Falconers trapping young raptors is actually a good thing. The mortality rate of first year raptors is high, and when falconers trap them they are better off than they are left in wild to fend for themselves. Starvation, disease, exposure to the elements, collisions with cars and other man made structures, and the threat of being eaten by other larger raptors are a constant threat to them during the first year of survival on their own. When trapped by a falconer, not only will they hunt with them, but they are committed to the health of the bird in their possession. By hunting with them, the young bird builds confidence and may expand their food sources from the falconer. Being with a falconer also almost ensures the bird will avoid starvation, exposure to the elements, and certain diseases. If they do get sick or make poor choices while hunting as young birds often do, the falconer will get the bird help from a veterinarian. Certainly, they are housed and protected from the elements.
It sounds as though your neighbor is an apprentice falconer. If so, chances are she will not be working often with a kestrel. In any case, you may approach her and let her know of the American Kestrel Partnership. She may be interested in getting involved and support erecting nest-boxes. Eventually, she will be releasing that kestrel back into the wild, a year older, and healthy.
I hope that this information eases your concern regarding your neighbor.
Barb
Great question. You can find
Great question. You can find Federal Biological stats on the impact of falconers on both raptors as well as game base online. (They score both these with a 0 impact.) Partnerships between entities like the American Kestrel Partnership and falconers make a good marriage.