Central Wisconsin Central Wisconsin Kestrel ResearchKestrel Research

Janet EschenbauchJanet Eschenbauch

Amber EschenbauchAmber Eschenbauch

Eric Anderson-FacilitatorEric Anderson-Facilitator

Falco sparveriusFalco sparverius

Holds the Latin meaning “falcon of the sparrows”

Often called a sparrow hawk

Frances HamerstromFrances Hamerstrom

Monitored nestboxes for 30 years with help from gabboons.

Started this historic nestbox program in 1968.

Buena Vista GrasslandsBuena Vista Grasslands

Originally swamp and open marsh, the BVG Originally swamp and open marsh, the BVG was ditched and drained for agricultural usewas ditched and drained for agricultural use

WDNR manages 12,000 acres for WDNR manages 12,000 acres for preservation of Greater Prairie Chickenpreservation of Greater Prairie Chicken

MonitoringMonitoring

14/58 on Trees

26/58 on Electric Poles

18/58 on Free-standing Poles

May to August

Methods & ImprovizationsMethods & Improvizations

Surprises on the MarshSurprises on the Marsh

ClutchesClutches Between Between

3-6 Eggs3-6 Eggs Lays one Lays one

egg every egg every other dayother day

Incubates Incubates when when second to second to last is laidlast is laid

Incubates Incubates for 28-30 for 28-30 daysdays

Chicks of all AgesChicks of all Ages

Male

Female

Adult PlumageAdult Plumage

FemaleFemale

Male

AdaptationsAdaptations

Eyespots Eyespots confuse confuse predatorspredators

Eurasian Eurasian Kestrels Kestrels locate voles locate voles by urine trails by urine trails which reflect which reflect ultraviolet ultraviolet lightlight

DietDiet

MiceMice Small birdsSmall birds SnakesSnakes GrasshopperGrasshopper

ss DragonfliesDragonflies Other insectsOther insects

Capture MethodsCapture Methods

Mechanical Mechanical stuffed owl, stuffed owl, Recorded Recorded owl call, owl call, Dho-gaza Dho-gaza NetNet

Bal-chatri Bal-chatri traptrap

Hand Hand grabbinggrabbing

Dho-gaza NetDho-gaza Net

Net Net drops drops down to down to cradle cradle kestrelkestrel

No birds No birds have have been been injuredinjured

Banding Sizes Banding Sizes

Processing ChicksProcessing Chicks

Processing AdultsProcessing Adults

Brood PatchBrood Patch

Males Males brood brood about about 30% of 30% of the timethe time

Some Some develop develop brood brood patchpatch

EducationEducation

Nest site fidelityNest site fidelity Natal dispersalNatal dispersal Clutch success Clutch success

ratesrates

Educate public with Educate public with help from other help from other researchers and researchers and volunteersvolunteers

The ReleaseThe Release

Percent of boxes occupied by American Kestrels in central Wisconsin from 2002-2008.Our study has not shown a significant drop.

Clutch size, number hatched, and number of fledglings from successful AMKE nest boxes in central WI.

We would like to thank the WDNR, Greg Dahl, Jim Keir, the Citizen-Based Monitoring Partnership Grant Program, Eric Anderson, Eugene Jacobs, the Aldo Leopold Audubon Society, D. Haessly and all of our volunteers for making this research possible.

Number of young American Kestrels produced per nest attempt from central Wisconsin.