Backyard and Beyond

Since a November snow storm blew down the dead, upright branch on this London plane tree across the street, the American Kestrels have rarely been in this tree. That branch, with its knobby top, provided a perfect perch. Much of the kestrel activity has lately taken place on a TV antenna behind this tree. Now that the tree has leafed out, it’s even harder to see. But last week, for a change of pace, the female alighted briefly in the LP.

Your #BrooklynKestrels watchers were away for four days. Yesterday, we returned to kestrel calls in the afternoon. Around 7:30 pm, the male was on the antenna with prey, making the trilling sound that seems to signify food. He flew off in general direction of the corner nest…