This experience is open to people who live in Lafayette or Iowa County!
Experience the amazing American Kestrel close up! We will visit the kestrel nest boxes that volunteers in our Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring Program steward, open them up, and place research bands on the chicks' ankles. It doesn't harm the birds, and allows scientists to study things like nesting preferences, migration, etc. Plus, it is really, really fun!
Each group will learn about the program, visit two boxes, observe the kestrel banding process, and even be able to hold some of the chicks!
The early banding session will run from 8-9:30AM, and the later banding session will run from 10-11:30AM. Please choose just one session. There is no charge to participate, but participation is capped at 12 people and limited to people who live in Lafayette or Iowa County.
Children must be at least 10 years old to participate, must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should be able to walk on uneven terrain. We will walk through grasslands and ditches where ticks and other insects live.
In addition, all participants are required to review our Kestrel Banding Visitor and Photography Policy and agree to the terms in order to participate. This is to ensure the safety of the birds and participants!
Questions? Contact Brenna Marsicek, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, bmarsicek@swibirds.org or 608-255-2473
Kestrel banding:
Optional membership:
Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance’s American Kestrel banding program is part of an effort to study an important species that is declining across North America. Federally-permitted researchers safely band and recapture kestrels to study the species over time. All banding, marking, and sampling is conducted under established protocols and under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit from the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory.
Cover photo by Richard Jones
