The VTrans kestrel program continues to generate a lot of enthusiasm both within VTrans and in the outside community. In 2002 members of the VTrans Environmental Section joined forces with staff from the VINS Raptor Center, in Woodstock, to band kestrel chicks. In all, eleven chicks were banded, and just in time. Many of the chicks were ready to fledge – or leave their nests.  These birds will hunt in Vermont’s fields and grasslands until the weather gets too cold and they fly south. One of our goals for next year is to check the boxes early in the season to see if some of the banded birds are returning to establish nests here in Vermont where they were hatched.

What’s next? In the fall of 2002, VTrans will be installing new boxes along US Route 4 between Rutland and NY. This effort was initiated by Poultney Veterinarian and raptor enthusiast, Dr. Scott MacLachlan, who has been collaborating with VTrans District Transportation Administrator Dave Lathrop and District Transportation Foreman Brian Roberts. Scott has been working with VINS on rehabilitating injured raptors in southwestern Vermont, and with Poultney youth on building bird nesting boxes. This year, he and a group of Poultney High School students built four boxes to be installed along Route 4. Dave and Scott’s vision for enhancing the roadside habitat along Route 4 includes adding additional kestrel boxes as well as bluebird boxes, and perhaps an osprey nesting platform.

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