A Community Action Science Project..... All Eyes to the Sky 

 

In 2008, the Squam Lake Science Center received grant monies to launch the NH Kestrel Project. It included an in school program introducing students to kestrels, involved the installation of specially designed steel mailbox nesting boxes on school grounds, and the implementation of a student led nest box monitoring program. Observations were reported via an online reporting form. Additional grant funding allowed the program to continue the following year. 

Three kestrel boxes were installed on MMS property on April 20, 2009 to encourage the nesting of New England’s smallest falcon, the kestrel.   Squam Lake Nature Center naturalist, Dave Erler, with the assistance of an MMS custodian, erected three nest boxes 20 ft. up on the south sides of trees that overlook wide open spaces. Predator tree guards were attached to keep raccoons from climbing the trees.  Squam Lake Science Center donated two of the nesting boxes. The third box was donated to MMS by Ann LaCroix, 7^th grade Science teacher and department facilitator.

 

Box 42 can be seen on a tree on the right side of the road as you walk down from the upper ball fields.

Box 43 is located on a tree behind the fence at the rear of the ball fields.

Box 44 is located on a tree overlooking the soccer field at the entrance of Madeline Bennett Lane.

 

In recent years, the number of kestrels in the eastern US has been declining, possibly due to loss of grassland habitat. The bird is 9-12 inches long with a 21’ wingspan. It is recognized by its rusty tail and back, and the double black stripes on its white face. The adult female has brown wings, while the male’s wings are pale steel blue.

 

Kestrels feed primarily on large insects, small mice and voles. They capture prey on the ground, then fly up to their perches to eat it.  They may often be seen perched on telephone lines overlooking open spaces such as athletic fields or roadways in search of food. 

Kestrels pair off in the spring. Once a nesting site is chosen, the female remains there. She lays 4-5 whitish eggs with small brown dots and incubates them for 30 days. The male brings her food during this period and into the nestling phase. When he comes near the nest, he calls her, and she flies to him to receive the food. The fledglings leave the nest within two weeks.  However, it is not uncommon for families to remain together until late in the summer. Kestrels raise one brood per year. 

 

During the spring and summer seasons when these migratory falcons return and search for mates and nesting sites, students, staff, and community volunteers can help take part in monitoring kestrel populations in southern N.H. by logging onto the Squam Lake Science Center website, www.nhnature.org/kestrel_project.html, and entering kestrel sightings. (There is an underscore between kestrel and project in the web address.)