[Tweeters] American Kestrel

[Kim Thorburn via Tweeters]

Thanks All for sharing your insights, knowledge and stories.

A lot of the observed behavior was definitely compatible with insect foraging. There was little hovering. Much of the perching was on the ground, such as basalt outcrops. Some of the flight almost seemed like flycatching.

That said, my task for the day involved walking a couple of miles overland through shrub-steppe and I did not find it like previous grasshopper storms I've encountered during which it almost feels like one needs to be wearing protective gear. However, I am noticing grasshoppers this year seem to be a small species that I haven't paid much attention to in past years. As I think about what we observed, I am convinced it was some sort of insect fete.

Good birding,


Kim



Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH

Spokane, WA

(509) 465-3025 home

(509) 599-6721 cell



________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces at mailman11.u.washington.edu> on behalf of Kim Thorburn via Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 9:32 PM
To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Tweeters] American Kestrel

Hi Tweets,

I'm wondering if anyone has insight about what seemed a very unusual event on July 22, 2025.

I was working a field project on July 28, 2025 with another volunteer for WDFW at the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in Lincoln County. In the process we drove an approximately 28-mile transect, mostly through public lands (Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area and BLM Telford Management Area) that comprises decent scablands shrub-steppe habitat. We began noticing American kestrel everywhere. We stopped counting at about 100 birds and probably saw twice that many. I have spent lots of time in this area and don't ever recall such a phenomenon.

Many of the birds seemed to be hatch-year but there were clearly also adults. They were very active-perching, spatting, foraging. Some birds in this area over-winter. My anecdotal observation is that many over-wintering AMKE are adult males. I believe those that migrate only fly short distances. However, it seems early migratory activity, which, according to the literature occurs predominantly in September and tends to be solitary.

Does anyone know if this is a known phenomenon and if so, what is means?

Thanks,


Kim



Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH

Spokane, WA

(509) 465-3025 home

(509) 599-6721 cell


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