[CT Birds] kestrel habitat in CT

[Tom Sayers]

I embarked last spring on a mission to start putting up kestrel nesting
boxes in any appropriate kestrel habitat that I could gain access to in my
area of northeast CT. Last year two of the boxes fledged young birds. So far
this year I have put up 6 more with 6 more ready to go. That makes a total
of 19 boxes for the last two years. The point of  all this is that while out
checking boxes in Somers yesterday I saw a total of 6 different kestrels, 4
definitely paired up, all checking out boxes that I had erected last year.
I'm sure they won't all stay, but this, I hope, confirms my belief that if
you put boxes in the right habitat it will make a difference in the numbers
of these beautiful little birds who will nest in our state.The DOT in the
state of Vermont, and many midwestern states as well, have very successful
programs where they erect kestrel boxes on the backs of highway signs along
areas of their interstate highways which have appropriate habitat. I am
thinking of developing  a similar proposal to present to the  CT DOT,  but I
need data. Here's where all of you can help. I'd like to hear from any of
you who know of specific stretches of highway that you feel  are in good
kestrel habitat anywhere in CT. Please as specific as possible and, if
possible, describe the amount of area in linear miles. For example, 3 miles
on rt 9 south of Middletown between exits X and Y. Please report this
information to me  OFFLINE  at sayers.tom at gmail.com. Thanks for your help.
Tom Sayers