American Kestrel Banding at CAS Grassland Center in Pomfret

Andy Rzeznikiewicz, Sanctuary Manager of Connecticut Audubon Society's Bafflin Sanctuary, a 700-acre grassland preserve in the northeast corner of the state has just told us that some of the American Kestrel chicks on the preserve are about to fledge. The chicks in 3 of 4 nest boxes maintained by Andy will be banded by a federally licensed bird bander so that they can be monitored after fledging. The date for this event is Saturday, June 19 at 9 AM. Since the eggs in the 4th nest box are still being incubated, there may be a second banding event at a later date (date to be determined).

One of the American Kestrel chicks banded in 2009

If you would like to observe the banding of the baby American Kestrels, please call the Pomfret Center at (860) 928-4948 to leave your name and phone number.

The American Kestrel is listed as "Threatened" in the Connecticut Endangered Species Act and the species displays a declining population trend throughout much of its range. In 2008 we banded nine young Kestrels from three nest boxes. In 2009 we banded 18 young Kestrels from 4 nesting boxes -- a record year in Pomfret and a great success story for these beautiful but "threatened" birds -- read about it here.

Please contact our center in Pomfret (189 Pomfret St. (Rte.169), Pomfret Center, CT 06259, 860-928-4948) for additional information. Fee: $10 CAS Members, $20 Non-members.

Photo by James Cutler