Once your nest box is in place, you can then start monitoring it to gather information.  There is lots of information that you can collect to help others in studying kestrels.

• Were kestrels seen in the area previously
• When were kestrels (or other birds) first seen around or in the box
• How often are the kestrels visiting the nest box – are they carrying anything to it
• Do the kestrels hunt around the nest box area
• When did you first see immature kestrels fledge from the box (remember, they will look almost the same as the adult female)

There is an endless amount of information you can get by watching the birds around your nest box, please report as much as you want to Kestrels Across America and we can help people who are studying kestrels. 

 While monitoring the nest box, resist the urge to visit the box up close.  If a person is too close the nesting kestrels may fly away from the nest and cause the clutch of eggs to be unsuccessful.  In addition, many animals, like raccoons, squirrels, opossums and snakes will follow your sent to the nest box and eat the eggs or the young birds.

Instead of contacting the nest box directly to monitor it, use binoculars or a spotting scope to watch from a distance of more than 100 feet.  From this distance, you should be able to distinguish males from females and maybe the type of prey they are bringing to the nest.  You will also be able to tell if another bird species has nested in the box.  Report what you find to this website, so everyone can learn about your nest box. 

Another way to minimize disturbances to the birds and their nest is to wear earth tone colored clothing.  Khakis, greens and grays will help you blend in to your surroundings and the kestrels may not see you.  Stay as still as possible to help blend in and practice telling your bird watching buddies where the birds are with words instead of pointing.

The most important thing to remember is: DON’T GIVE UP!  If you do not see any kestrels or other birds at your nest box, come back the next day, week, month, or even next year, they may have found the box by then.  If the kestrels seem bothered by your presence then back away farther or leave and come back another day.  We all learn from our mistakes and success.  Let the website know what works for you.