Falco sparverius
June 26, 1993: South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN
(Falco sparverius sparverius) I have relatively frequent sightings of these adorable small falcons. My first were seen while I was participating in the Peregrine Release in downtown South Bend. This pair appeared to be nesting in the school across the street from the release site. They seemed less than thrilled about their larger new neighbors, as they made quite a racket for part of the morning. In most of the places I’ve lived, they are commonly seen perched on wires near fields or farmland. I am assuming that all of my sightings have been the nominate subspecies.
September 25, 1993: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN
(Falco sparverius sparverius) Have seen many of these while driving through Indiana and Michigan. They are commonly seen perched on wires near fields or farmland.
July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
(Falco sparverius sparverius)
October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
Spotted one of these birds in a tree in the parking lot.
December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Managment Area, Palm Beach, FL
December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL
January 4, 1995: Lake Okeechobee, Okeechobee, FL
Seen first thing in the morning at DuPois State Forest. Later in the day, I saw another at Harney Pond Canal.
January 11, 1995: Everglades, Monroe County, FL
Seen at Eco Pond.
January 15, 1995: Florida Keys, Monroe County, FL
November 19, 1995: Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Yavapai County, AZ
November 21, 1995: Madera Canyon, Pima County, AZ
November 22, 1995: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
December 23, 1996: Morongo Indian Reservation, Riverside, CA
From the side of the road we did see a few things, including this Kestrel.
December 27, 1996: Buena Vista Recreation Area, Kern County, CA
I was able to view this bird for a good, long time as it perched in a tree in the area along the lake.
June 10, 1997: Bolsa Chica, Orange County, CA
August 5, 1997: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN
Not spotted in any of the parks, but I did spot one of these birds on a wire while driving in the morning.
October 18, 1997: Sandhills Game Land, Richmond County, NC
Not long after arriving, we stopped the cars on the road in an open field, and spotted our first birds of the day – a number of kestrels flying and perching in some nearby trees. One flew overhead, and I got a strong flash of the red tail when it landed, which confirmed the ID for me.
December 21, 1997: Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Pinal County, AZ
These birds are also common throughout the area, and many were spotted in trees or on wires near the roadside.
December 27, 1997: San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, San Pedro House, Cochise County, AZ
Had a beautiful view of this bird perched in one of the large trees near the San Pedro House.
December 28, 1997: Carr Canyon, Cochise County, AZ
Spotted along Carr Canyon Road, before driving up into the canyon.
December 30, 1997: San Rafael Grasslands, Santa Cruz County, AZ
In a tree on the dry side of the dam.
December 31, 1997: Tubac, Santa Cruz County, AZ
Seen in the late afternoon.
January 1, 1998: Marana Pecan Grove, Pima County, AZ
Had probably the best view possible of a Kestrel – this bird was perched low on a pole as we turned the corner and drove by. A wonderful, close-up sighting! Very colorful and beautiful.
February 21, 1998: Huntington Beach State Park, Georgetown, SC
May 3, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
March 1, 2003: Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park Alameda County, CA
Saw a couple of these, including one which was chased from his perch by a family of acorn woodpeckers.
March 30, 2003: Canyon Green, San Ramon, CA
Another new bird for the yard – I saw this kestrel hunting very near the house.
May 11, 2003: Canyon Green, San Ramon, CA
October 2, 2004: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, Marin County, CA
Saw a couple of these during the day.
November 26, 2004: Beeline Highway-Sunflower, Tonto National Forest, Maricopa, AZ
Driving home from Tucson, we’d hoped to see some great birds along the Pinal Pioneer Parkway, but unfortunately, didn’t see much at all. Past the parkway, I did spot a kestrel, and took some decent photos.
December 2, 2004: Canyon Green, San Ramon, CA
December 21, 2004: Canyon Green, San Ramon, CA
December 29, 2004: Elkhorn Slough Reserve, Monterey, CA
The last bird of the day, this one flew directly overhead as we were walking back to the nature center.
January 1, 2005: Canyon Green, San Ramon, CA
January 5, 2005: Canyon Green, San Ramon, CA
January 30, 2005: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, Marin County, CA
Saw a couple of these birds on my walk, including one that was eating what appeared to be an avian meal, and later, a pair, one of whom landed on the grass nearby where I was walking.
May 17, 2007: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO
Let me know what you think!