ECOC American Kestrel Nest Box Program

Clean Out Day - March 29, 2009

The 2008 season found starlings and Screech Owls using the 7 nest boxes installed around the county. Though Kestrels were seen on several occasions either on or near boxes none stayed to nest.

Spring 2009 and another season begins. March 29 with it's steady drizzle and occasional showers was dubbed "clean out day". The results of the clean outs are listed below.

The surprise of the day was a red morph Screech Owl staring back at me when I opened the front of the box on Marsh Ave. in Newbury. I hope it stays to nest!

Newbury, Marsh Ave. - pole mounted	red morph Screech Owl in box when I went to clean it out. Lots of pellets under box on ground - owl probably in box all winter.

Ipswich, Appleton Farms - mounted on telephone pole	dead field mouse on top of starling nest (12' in the air!)

Ipswich, Strawberry Hill - mounted on telephone pole	box EMPTY - no wood chips or other material

Ipswich, N E Biolabs
Box #1 - pole mounted	signs of squirrel roosting in box, 2 acorns & depression in wood chips
Box #2 - pole mounted	8 Screech Owl pellets on top of starling nest

Amesbury, Cider Hill Farm - pole mounted	box EMPTY - no wood chips or other material

Salisbury Beach State Park
Box #1 - pole mounted	installed March 28, 2009
Box #2 - mounted on Osprey pole	installed March 28, 2009

A limited number of nest boxes and poles are available. Should you own or know of suitable habitat with a willing host within Essex County for the placement of a kestrel nest box and wish to participate in this program please contact the ECOC Webmaster Phil Brown at ecocmail@comcast.net