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Jennifer Redmond

Girl Scouts learn about North America's smallest falcon


Girl Scouts stand with a scientist holding an American Kestrel Falcon

Girl Scouts observe an American Kestrel nestling getting banded.

Girl Scouts from Parker and Aurora participated in citizen science and American Kestrel conservation. This small falcon needs our conservation efforts because their populations have been declining since the 1960s. A group of Girl Scouts learned more about the threats to Kestrels as they watched the "banding" of four nestlings.

An American Kestrel nestling being held.

Banding involves placing a band with a unique number on the bird's leg. If recaptured, we can learn more about how far the bird has traveled, how old they are, and if they nest in the same area each year. The Girl Scouts were citizen scientists as they helped record data from the nest box and submit it to the international database. Placing and monitoring American Kestrel nest boxes is a great idea for a Gold Award Project!

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