Hi, we are new to the AKP and installed one nest box in December 2022, with aspen chips/shreds as nesting material. We've recently observed European starlings in the box, although no nest has been built yet. How do we handle other species using the nest box?
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Hi Mary-Sue_Frank,
We have encountered other species of birds trying to use our nest boxes. In the case of European Starlings, they seem to not like the aspen shavings ( which hopefully are dustless).
The Starlings start the move in by removing some of the aspen shavings and then bring in grasses. If you can remove the grasses and replace some of the aspen shavings it would be beneficial. If the Kestrels really want your nest box they will chase away the Starlings and other bird species. This is what we have done in past years and it always was successful. Link to Kestrel Korner for information on The American Kestrel Link to http://www.nu-sun.com/html/kestrel_korner.html
Hope this helps your situation.
Nu-Sun Cinema American Kestrel Research Center
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Hi Mary-Sue -
First off, welcome to the AKP! We're very glad to have you as part of the team.
There's two ways to answer your question: how to handle other species in the box during data entry, and how to handle it in the field. Data entry first. We took a look at the first observation you submitted, and what you did was perfect: you reported the starlings in the notes but not the "Nest of other species present?" field, since the starlings didn't have a nest yet. If you DO find a starling nest (or that of another species) on a future observation, you'll report this with that field.
Now, what to actually DO with the nest of another species if you find it. European Starlings are a special case, as they are not native to North America. Any native bird species you'd be likely to find in a kestrel box—for example, woodpeckers, small owls, swallows, wrens, flycatchers, bluebirds—are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and it is illegal to disturb them or their nests. But as a non-native species, starlings aren't protected, and if you wish to exclude them from your box, you can.
As Nu-Sun said, the kestrels are perfectly capable of evicting starlings on their own if they want a box badly enough. (Here's one doing just that a few years ago, as seen from our KestrelCam.) If you want to assist with the eviction process, the simplest is to continuously remove any starling nesting material. Just be aware that starlings are persistent buggers, and you might have to "toss their furniture" quite a few times before they finally give up and move on.
For more on starling exclusion, check out this forum thread from a few years ago with some info from a few other partners.
Hope that helps! Again, welcome to the AKP, and don't hestitate to contact us with any further questions, either here or by email at kestrel.partnership@peregrinefund.org.
Matthew
AKP Staff
Thank you, Nu-Sun Cinema and Matt from AKP for this valuable information. I've had experience "removing" English House Sparrows from bluebird boxes, but wasn't looking forward to using that method on the much larger and more aggressive starling! We did notice that the larger aspen chips were being tossed from the nest box, and have added more chips to compensate. Kestrels are in our neighborhood, but the tree they were nesting in was removed, so we are hoping they will find the new nest box suitable. It's good to know that they can take on the starlings. We will remove any grassy nesting materials and replace with more aspen chips...and see what happens.
Best of luck to you, and thank you for your efforts! Don't get too discouraged if the kestrels don't move in right away, as kestrels often take a few years to move into new boxes. But getting a pair in the first year is definitely possible, and since your box is going up right after an active nest site was lost, you've certainly got an advantage. Regardless of what happens, your data will be valuable! Data from kestrel-less boxes allows us to examine population trends, nest selection preferences, inter-species competition, and other factors we can't from occupied boxes alone. (For your sake, we hope you get the latter, though!)
Matthew
AKP Staff
Update on our kestrel box: after removing the starling nesting materials (and replacing the tossed wood chips), it seems that the starlings might have given up. But now tree swallows are showing interest in the box. Shoule we leave them to nest, or remove their nesting materials, too? We've spotted a kestrel in the area, but so far, it hasn't discovered the nest box. I understand that this is a long-term project and, like you noted, Matthew, it may take a few years for the kestrels to discover the box.
Thanks for the update, Mary-Sue, and we're glad to hear the starlings appear to have moved on!
Tree Swallows are a native species and protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so if they decide to move into the box, you should allow them to do so. Please do continue to monitor the box and report your findings, though, even if it's swallows inside rather than kestrels. Kestrel-less box observations help identify local population trends, box selection preferences, and in this particular case, how often kestrel boxes are used by other species.
This late in the season, it's getting late to attract kestrels for a first nesting attempt, but you have a chance to attract a pair whose first nesting attempt this season fails for another few months yet (kestrels usually find a new box after a failed nesting attempt). So don't give up hope just yet. (And while we're biased to kestrels, of course, a nest of Tree Swallows would still be a great consolation prize in our humble opinion :)
Good luck, and thank you for your participation in the AKP!
Matthew
AKP Staff
Ah, I spoke too soon! We weren't able to monitor our box for a couple of days, and the starlings set up home. We evicted them again. The tree swallows continue to visit the box, too, but I believe the starlings have the upper hand (wing?) here. Thanks for the info on late nesting by kestrels. We'll continue monitoring and reporting.
Tree swallows tend to prefer nesting in smaller bluebird boxes rather than kestrel boxes anyway, so hopefully they're able to find a nearby home more to their liking and don't have to tangle with the starlings. Thanks for your continued monitoring (and starling eviction) efforts!
Matthew
AKP Staff
Hi, due to the presence of starlings in the kestrel box, we've been pretty persistent about removing their nesting materials and occoasional eggs. There's been no sign of starlings for the past two days, but I checked the box late today. There was an egg on the aspen shavings/chips: larger than a robin egg, medium brown with darker brown splotches, no pointed end. And no photo since I didn't have my cellphone with me. In viewing the photos of the Nu Sun Cinema eggs, I'm guessing it might be kestrel! I'm going to observe from a distance tomorrow. If it is a kestrel occupying the box, should I revert to monitoring every other week as to avoid stressing the birds? As we are new to the program, I just want to make sure we are taking appropriate observations. Thanks.
Hi Mary-Sue_Frank
Boxes can be checked once every 7 – 10 days during the breeding season to monitor nest progress. Avoid checking the boxes during the last week of the kestrel nestling period to avoid premature fledging by the nestlings. If you have a scope or binoculars you might want to keep an eye on your nest box. Sooner or later the Kestrels will come to sit on the egg. Full incubation will not start until all eggs are laid. Kestrels can have 2-7 eggs. The eggs can handle the cold better than the high heat.
Check out our Kestrel Korner and 3 camera HD live stream. The 5 eggs are estimated to start hatching on May 24, 25/2023.
Link to http://www.nu-sun.com/html/kestrel_korner.html
Hope this helps,
Nu-Sun Cinema American Kestrel Research Center
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Thanks for the info. I will watch my box from a distance, and continue to check the box per your recommendations. Many thanks for your feedback! I'm hoping for a successful run here.
Hi Mary-Sue -
Nu-Sun covered most of the important notes for us, but to clarify one thing, the AKP’s preferred protocol is for partners to check the contents of their box once every other week during the breeding season. Boxes should not be monitored more than once a week to avoid placing undue stress on the kestrels.
Congrats on what sounds like kestrel tenants (we're guessing you know more by now?), and thank you for your care and caution. We're hoping for a successful run there too.
Matthew
AKP Staff
Hi Matthew, Prior to seeing your note above, I walked out to take a look at the box today. We hadn't seen any bird activity at the box (again, we aren't constantly watching it) over the week, but when about 300-500' away, I heard and saw a kestrel in a nearby tree. This made me back off. Now last week there was one egg. How long does it take for the bird to complete the egg-laying and start incubating? Based on your recommendations, I should check the box in about 5 days. Being new at this, I am concerned about stressing the birds and scaring them off. I just want to make sure we are acting properly.
This is a very delayed reply on our part, but we'll chime in to address these questions directly and confirm what Nu-Sun said—eggs are usually laid about 48 hours apart, with the typical clutch size in the North American subspecies being 4–5 eggs. The final egg is often lighter in coloration than the others. Incubation begins in earnest after the final egg is laid. The first two weeks of incubation are the most important when it comes to limiting disturbance, as kestrels are most likely to abandon an active nest during this time. As long as you stick to our recommended protocol of checks once every two weeks, should haven't have any issues. We very much appreciate your care and concern!
Hi Mary-Sue_Frank,
What we have witnessed in the egg laying process is the Kestrels can lay 2 to 7 eggs but 4 to 5 is common.
Both our nest boxes have cameras and we monitor them constantly so we can witness and record the egg laying very precisely.
The eggs are typically laid every 48 to 72 hours apart. (This year our Kestrels laid 5 eggs which took 10 days). In research in our boxes it has been 98% at about 48 hours apart.
Hope you have luck in your endeavor. Matthew is right in saying be very cautious in approaching the nest box as not to disturb the Kestrels.
Have a great day,
Nu-Sun Cinema American Kestrel Research Center
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Some day, we hope to install a camera in the nest box so we can monitor it and activity from a distance. We're enjoying your photos immensely.
If you ever need help with camera infomation, nest box size please feel free to contact us at info@nu-sun.com.
We have helped many from this website over the years.
There is more to it than just putting a camera in a nest box !!
You can view more photos and videos at Kestrel Korner there is a wealth of information from over the years there.
Just link to
http://www.nu-sun.com/html/kestrel_korner.html
Nu-Sun Cinema American Kestrel Research Center
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Our nest box is now occupied by kestrels! I don't want to disturb the birds, so these are my first and last photos of the nest. On 5/19 there was one egg (no photo), and I did one more check on 5/29 since we hadn't see any bird activity. There were 5 eggs. I took a couple of quick photos and removed the ladder and myself from the area. The birds have definitely stepped up activity, and we watch from the house-about 700' away-so as to not disrupt them.
We're very late to chime in here, but congratulations on your new tenants (and for winning the war on your local starlings)! In kestrels, it usually takes about 27–31 days from the time the final egg is laid to the time the eggs hatch, so the eggs should start hatching in the next two weeks. Keep an eye out for the adults bringing food to the nest, a sign that the youngsters have hatched. At this point nest checks can continue every two weeks as per our recommended protocol, though once the youngsters are close to fledging age, it's best to avoid checking the nest to prevent any of the youngsters from leaving the nest early.
A question for you—could we use this photo on our social media and/or in printed materials? We will credit you any time it's used.
Let us know if you have any further questions, and we hope you've got some young kestrels soon!
Matthew
AKP Staff
Hi Matthew, you are welcome to use the photo in any of your materials. I hope you find it useful.
Thank you so much!
Wow that's fantastic !!! Hope all goes well for you and hope the hatch is successful and you enjoy watching the nestlings fledge.
We are gearing up for the banding of our 5 nestlings which is on June 11/2023 this is always exciting for us.
Hope you have been watching out 3 camera HD live stream ??
Nu-Sun Cinema American Kestrel Research Center
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Hi Nu-Sun Cinema, I appreciate all the feedback you and Matthew have provided. For some reason, I am not able to view your livestreams, but will keep trying.
I believe that Matthew is aware of this, but we are working with the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS) who provided us with the kestrel box. I've been updating them all along. Staff biologists visited the nest box on 6/8, netted the male who was on the clutch of eggs. They weighed and banded him, and took feather samples to check for mercury.
After reading Matthew's post today, I am concerned about nest abandonment, but we have seen the female back in and out of the box as currently as yesterday. Based on what I've read here and VINS suggestion, I plan to check the box on 6/21 for hatchlings. Do you have any other advice?
I personally was not aware of your collaboration with VINS (and that's great to hear about—we love partnerships between AKP partners!). As we are most likely 16–18 days into incubation at this point, we are out of the "danger zone" and it is highly unlikely the adults would abandon the nest due to typical researcher activity at this time.
Regarding the schedule of your future checks, we would defer to VINS' recommendations. We're assuming your box is part of their larger network, so following their monitoring protocol would be best to keep your data compatible with those from the rest of their boxes for any project-specific research they're conducting.
Thanks again for your caution!
Matthew
AKP Staff
Thanks so much for your advice, Matthew. When we signed on with the VINS kestrel program, they strongly recommended signing up and reporting our observations with AKP. We will continue to keep you updated!
Great to hear, and thank you! VINS is one of our longest-participating, and biggest, box networks in New England and we're happy to hear you're on their team. We look forward to hopefully seeing some nestling photos soon :)
I'm happy to report that there are at least three nestlings which hatched between June 22 and June 28. I snapped pics quickly as the adult female was not happy with my presence. I've reported this to VINS, too, as they are interested in banding. Can you determine when they hatched?
Exciting news! It's difficult to age kestrels during the first week after hatching, particularly during days 4–8, due to a lack of feather sheaths or other developmental markers. Since all of these birds are dry, we'd guess they're at least a day past hatching, but it would be tough to accurately age them any further. At your next nest check, more developmental markers will be present and it should be possible to age them (and therefore to figure out their hatch date) within a day or two. Here's a guide to aging young kestrels, if you're interested in learning more:
https://fullcyclephenology.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/klucsarits-and-rusbuldt-a-photographic.pdf
Also, while we freely admit we could be mis-seeing something, we're seeing at least four nestlings in these photos. See our crude drawing below. Incidentally, were any unhatched eggs still in the box?
Thanks for sharing, and we hope for more good news to come!
Hi Matthew, thanks for your tracings! The VINS staff also saw four nestlings. She also believes that she saw one egg in the shavings adjacent toward the top of your bird #2 and to the left of #4. My computer skills are close to non-existent: otherwise I'd trace it out. I'm rereading the information from the AKP website for my next nest check. Being newbies at this, we are very excited so far!
We saw that possible egg as well! We just weren't sure enough to include it in our Van Gogh-level masterpiece artwork. One egg + four nestlings would account for the five eggs initially laid, so it wouldn't suprise us at all.
We're excited that you're excited! We're looking forward to hearing what comes next for this little feathered family.
Matthew
AKP Staff
Out of five eggs, three nestlings survived: two females, one male. VINS banded the nestlings on 7/17 and they were happy with the health of the little ones. It's been a very wet/cold/hot season and there's been a shortage of food for birds. We believe the nestlings fledged 7/20-7/23.
Thank you Matthew and Nu-Sun Cinema for all your advice and encouragement on our first year with the kestrel nest box!