Sorry for the late report, but on Monday the 14th, as we were driving
through Loudoun County near Middleburg, we saw a American Kestrel hovering
over a field. I had only seen them sitting on telephone wires in California
prior to this. I'm particularly appreciative of seeing the bird after
reading Gerry's post on the 16th, reproduced in part below.
Betsy True
Alexandria, VA
Check out my website:
http://www.betsytruedesigns.com
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-------Original Message-------
From: maineusa@xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: 5/16/2007 9:00:38 AM
<snip>
The American Kestrel, a small, open-land falcon which often may be seen
perched on a telephone pole or wire, is perhaps the most common diurnal
raptor in North America. So it perhaps was a little surprising that the many
birders who covered still largely-rural Loudoun County, Virginia on
International Migratory Bird Day this last Saturday have to date reported
seeing only two American Kestrels. The population of the American Kestrel is
thought to be stable overall but it appears that there have been significant
decreases in populations of this species in some areas in recent years,
particularly in the Northeast. Although valid conclusions cannot be reached
on the basis of one day or even a season of birding and the American Kestrel
is still a fairly easy bird to find in appropriate habitat, some suspect
that the American Kestrel is similarly undergoing a long-term decline in
northern Virginia and elsewhere in the region. <snip>
Gerry Hawkins
Arlington, VA
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