The Kestrels Are Back—And They’re Looking for Homes
We’ve been working hard to make sure they find them.
As spring migration brings American Kestrels back to their breeding grounds, our team at the Wild Bird Research Group has been out in the field installing and monitoring nest boxes to help these colorful falcons find safe places to raise their young. Our Hatch a Hundred campaign is in full swing—focused on expanding kestrel breeding habitat in New Jersey through the installation of thoughtfully placed nest boxes in open space, farmland, and grassland areas.
We’re thrilled to report that we’ve now installed over 25 nest boxes across Central New Jersey (Mercer, Hunterdon, and Somerset counties). Our spring goal is to get at least 35 boxes up, and we’re well on our way despite the recent challenges of soggy fields and unpredictable early April weather. Each box installed represents a new opportunity for kestrels to nest and for us to monitor their breeding success, diet, and overall population health.
We couldn’t have done this without the dedicated work of our technician, volunteers, and landowners, who continue to support the mission of kestrel conservation.
New Innovation: Introducing the Pulley-Style Nest Box
And it wouldn’t be possible without you.
Thanks to your generous support during our Giving Tuesday campaign, we’ve been able to introduce something totally new this year: a custom-built pulley nest box system that makes monitoring easier, safer, and more efficient.
In the past, we faced two significant challenges with box monitoring:
- Traditional boxes require ladders, which aren’t always safe or practical.
- “Swivel” boxes were helpful but bulky and heavy, often needing two people to check.
This year, we’re testing a lightweight pulley system that allows a single person to lower and check a nest box from the ground—no ladder, heavy lifting, or need for a second person. It’s a big step forward for expanding our monitoring network and empowering volunteers and landowners to help with data collection.
Watch the new pulley system in action on Instagram!
Want to Get Involved?
We’re still looking for volunteers and partners who want to help bring kestrels back to local landscapes. Whether you can host a box, help with monitoring, or just share our work online, it all makes a difference. Contact us if you’re interested in helping.
Together, we can give kestrels the homes they need to thrive.
Thank you for being part of this growing movement for bird conservation!
The Hatch a Hundred project is a joint collaboration between FoHVOS and Wild Bird Research Group.
Keith the Kestrel Technician
Among many people working on Hatch a Hundred is our new kestrel technician, Keith Clayton. He has a Master’s in Wildlife Conservation and Management and has spent the last six years working in wildlife rehabilitation as a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator. He has previously worked on a wide variety of research projects studying avian nest predation, landscape ecology, water quality analysis, and the impacts of citizen science. Welcome Keith!
Exciting New Ways to Help
On Earth Day (April 22) we’re launching a new initiative that will allow you to support our research like the Kestrel work highlighted in this email! Keep an eye on your inbox or our Instagram for the announcement. We’re really excited about it and think you will be too. There’s a special surprise in store for the first people involved. 😉
