[texbirds] American Kestrels nesting in Tarrant County as well
- From: "JimJones-FWAS" <jjones4fwas@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "TexBirds" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2013 15:14:51 -0500
After reading B Freeman's report I figured I should add my observations.
I have been observing 4 pairs of Am. Kestrels this year on my morning walks
on Bedford Trails in Bedford, TX. (Tarrant County) The 1.8 mile trail runs
along the power lines that run east-west from Walmart on HWY 121 west over
to the ball fields on Meadow Park Drive.
This morning I enjoyed watching two adults trying to keep up with their 4
fledglings scattered around the play area behind Spring Garden Elementary. I
also heard nestlings from the nests on two other power line poles; one
located west of Scenic Hills Drive and the other just east of Sage Lane. The
fourth pair observed up over the hill west of Walmart apparently failed
having young this year. But they are still protecting their 'pole'.
These kestrels have been successfully raising young at this location for
about 5 years now. They have discovered that the cross-arms of these tall
345KV power line poles are 'hollow', the perfect place to make a nest
protected from larger raptors and from ground predators (the lowest
cross-arms are probably 50 feet from the ground.) If you have this style of
power line in your area, look closely where the arm is bolted to a bracket
on the vertical support pole. The cross-arms are hollow and the hole is
facing inwards towards the vertical pole. The birds access the hole by
dropping down through the support bracket.
The trail runs through a neighborhood with lots of backyard gardens. Food is
plentiful with lots of lizards and geckos, and the grass along the path has
plenty of insects.
When I first observed the kestrels I thought they must get awfully warm
inside of these metal supports in our Texas heat.... but later learned the
nestlings leave the nest in June, long before it gets too hot. By mid-July I
usually see only 2 or 3 kestrels on the path.
When I report these on eBird, I am questioned as to the 'numbers' that I am
reporting as being high.
Jim Jones
Bedford, TX
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