Since about 2000, The Raptor Center has seen a precipitous decline in the number of kestrels admitted to the center; from 107 admissions in 2000 to only 22 last year. At the same time, admissions of Cooper’s hawks have doubled, from 54 admissions in 2000 to 114 last year. At this point, no one knows whether these findings are correlated, or even whether the reduction in kestrel admissions represents a decline of the species in the wild.
Through Kestrel Watch, The Raptor Center hopes to decode the rapid decline in American kestrel admissions. To join Kestrel Watch, all you need to do is brush up on your observation and reporting skills.
