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There were, at least, no stabs with either beaks or talons. "There will be a big change in their aggression in about one more week," Jones noted. If the banding had been delayed until then, he said, the fledglings would have welcomed company lying flat on their backs with legs up in the air and talons ready to strike.
After all four were banded and returned to the box, the pole was pushed slowly back up. “The next week or so will be critical,” Jones said. He explained that the young fledglings were vulnerable when they first leave the safety of the nest, both to air attack from other birds of prey and ground attack from foxes, raccoons, cats and oppossums.
The parent birds will continue to help their offspring for the first week or so, bringing food and trying to ward off danger, but basically the youngsters are on their own.
Manwaring agreed to keep an eye on the house for the next few days and report any activity. Jones said that he would also check occasionally from the road with binoculars.
In addition to his kestrel "karetaking", Jones is conducting a census of raptors—kestrels, barn owls and red-tailed hawks—in Rappahannock County. Anyone with information as to the location of nests should write to Jones, care of general delivery in Woodville, or call 987-8883.
He’s also eager to put up additional kestrel boxes and will either supply building plans to anyone interested or bring the finished product for installation in suitable locations. Roger Jones is doing a fine job on his own but with a little help, he can really turn Rappahannock County into kestrel country.
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