Kestrel conservation success soars to new heights
Two families of American kestrels, small falcons, have successfully nested in nest boxes along Rice Creek. The boxes, constructed by the Ramsey County Parks Youth Outdoors Conservation Corp crew, and installed by Ramsey County Parks and Recreation staff, with the assistance of ornithologist Amber Burnette, were sites for this avian habitation. Burnette, authorized with a federal permit, affixed metal, numbered bands to the birds' legs. Ramsey County Parks, in its ongoing research, has banded over 2000 birds of 76 species, in addition to the work with kestrels.
Eight young falcons, four from each nest, were safely banded around 20 days old and returned to their nest boxes. Approximately 5-8 days later, the banded nestlings fledged.
These identifiable birds will contribute valuable information about their populations, aiding in the formulation of habitat management plans.
The loss of bird habitat stands as a significant factor in the global decline of avian populations. Data from various sources indicate kestrel declines in certain regions. The North American population is estimated at 1.2 to 2 million, with the Peregrine Fund reporting an approximate loss of two million kestrels in North America since 1970. Ramsey County Parks assumes a critical role in bird conservation by offering habitat for migration and breeding, exemplifying the possibility of maintaining multifunctional, healthy ecosystems in urban settings.
Monitoring of the kestrel nest boxes extends a habitat study now in its sixth year for Ramsey County Parks. The principal objective is to gather data informing habitat management efforts by Mike Goodnature, Natural Resources Manager. Ramsey County's position is pivotal in establishing and preserving multifunctional, healthy urban ecosystems. Habitat loss remains a primary cause for the global decline in bird populations, emphasizing the significance of parks for migration and breeding in Ramsey County's conservation efforts.
The Ramsey County Parks & Recreation Department extends gratitude to Amber Burnette for her extensive volunteer service. Over six years of bird banding and reporting, Burnette has revitalized the bluebird house program and introduced kestrel work in Ramsey County Parks. Her collected bird data is invaluable, highlighting the necessity of high-quality habitat and continued natural resources management in urban environments. Thank you, Amber, for your unparalleled dedication to the resource and for educating others on bird importance!
