Kestrel Fledglings providing pest control at 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards

Thanks to the The Cornell Lab of Ornithology for this beautiful picture of a Kestral.

We did not know what to expect when we placed the kestrel boxes out in the vineyards late last winter. We watched the boxes this spring, convincing ourselves that they were being occupied by kestrels, but still not sure.

Finally, in early June, we started seeing little kestrel faces peaking out of the holes in the boxes. It may come as no surprise, it is very difficult to get a good picture of a shy, young kestrel peeking out of the boxes.

By late June, the birds were beginning to learn to fly. We would spot them making quick flights with awkward landings between the poles and trees, power line and trees, power lines and poles.

Now, the birds are fully fledged, actively hunting the vineyards and the hills and fields surrounding the vineyards. They are effective, powerful hunters, beautiful to watch.