Hi. I’m studying biodiversity risks right now and understand that declining kestrel populations in my state (Illinois) pose a risk to biodiversity. I studied them in a class I took a few years ago and even made kestrel boxes. They are super cool birds of prey. I’m trying to learn more to help my FIRST LEGO team identify a problem and maybe come up with an innovative solution to help kestrels. Our team does have a low tech idea that is also inexpensive but right now we are really focused on identifying the problem and understanding it. Are there any kestrel lovers that want to tell how big of a problem declining kestrel populations is and why? Would anyone be willing to message my coach if they are kestrel experts who might be willing to correspond with us through her? (She is posting for me - I wrote this but I’m an 8th grader and we have to be safe on the internet.) I’m going to post a survey too because having a survey is really helpful.

Caught this late night trespasser hunting on the property.

Barred Owl. Eastern Missouri

In the last few days I’ve seen glimpses of a Falcon that’s moved into my apartment complex, and today as I was going to work it flew overhead calling out very loudly and angrily. In the glimpses I had seen, I’d seen the brown and grey salt & pepper markings of a Kestrel, and it was a small bird, smaller than any crow but a bit bigger than a robin
It flew directly overhead and I had to look up into the sun, so I only saw its silhouette of sharp pointed wings, but what throws me off is that it’s calling was not like any Kestrel id heard before, or seen on YouTube in the hour between seeing it and posting this
Instead of a kestrels rapid fire “kee kee kee kee kee” it practically screamed a “KEE KEE” and repeated it about every few seconds, it was much louder and deeper of a soundi thought a kestrel could make
I live in Missouri, and have a few uncertain guesses that it’s either the same individual kestrel I’ve been seeing around, or it’s a different falcon all together
Sorry I have so little information to go off of, he broke line of sight almost immediately and I couldn’t stay to record the calls

picture is blocked out because it shows my street but i’m curious to know if this is an owl or not

not sure if this is what I just saw walking down the street. He is she took off right in front of me. It was behind a bush and telephone pole and as I got close it took off.

It had just caught itself some dinner, a squirrel it left behind when I walked up. Seemed rather large when it took off right in front of me .

sorry for the bad pic I had to zoom in with my phone a bit too much

It was going on for about 30 seconds before the video. The Osprey dropped something into the water which seemed to end the chase.

Saw this earlier today and thought it was funny how this hawk was perched right on the wildlife crossing sign. I’m new to birding but I think this is a red shouldered hawk. Photo taken in central Florida for reference

Alaska

Quite a big fella. They get to be about 46-61cm in length.

Whose watching who…