Want to take part in a very special opportunity to contribute to valuable wildlife data collection?
On Tuesday, June 20 from 10AM-12PM, join Chocorua Lake Conservancy Stewardship Director Debra Marnich for an American Kestrel Banding Workshop at Naughtaveel Farm*, 1314 West Side Road in North Conway. Counts of migrants suggest that the number of American kestrels are declining in the Northeast over the last couple of years. We will discuss the decline of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) in New Hampshire, their life history, migration, and why the conservation of critical foraging and nesting habitat is so important.
We will be joining Steve Wheeler, a retired New Hampshire Fish & Game (NHFG) Biologist and federal- and state-licensed bird bander since 1975, and his wife Mabel Wheeler to band fledgling kestrels that are occupying nest boxes. A long‐term nest box program run by Steve Wheeler has provided nesting opportunities and resulted in some continually productive territories for American kestrels in New Hampshire. Steve works with NHFG, and New Hampshire farmers and private landowners to increase the nesting opportunities and success for American kestrels. Bird banding data may be used to study migration and distribution, wildlife diseases, longevity, and demography. We have high hopes that most of the nestlings that we band will fly high, migrate, and overwinter in locations in the Southern United States and Central America this fall and make the trip back to New Hampshire breeding grounds to successfully reproduce.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Binoculars are suggested if you have them. Bring a snack or lunch and water, and be prepared for sun, insects, and ticks, as needed. Be prepared for sun, insects, and ticks, as needed. Space is limited; please register in advance below, and please arrange to carpool with friends if you are able. We will meet directly across the road from the farm.
CLC Stewardship Director Debra Marnich holds a BS in Zoology and an MS in Forestry. Her major interests and professional focus areas include combining wildlife and forestry practices to manage for both sound silvicultural and optimum wildlife habitat, creating early successional and bird nesting habitat, pollinator habitat creation, promoting small diverse farms local food production/agriculture, promoting land conservation and protection, environmental education, and integrating all resources concerns to create a balanced conservation system.
*Naughtaveel Farm, operated by Julie and Justin Hussey, is the recent recipient of both the NH Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, and the New England Green Pastures Award!
Banner image: American kestrel. Photo by Jeremy Hynes on Unsplash