Midcoast Kestrel Project

In his 1949 book, Maine Birds, biologist Ralph S. Palmer described the American Kestrel— then called the “Northern Sparrow Hawk”—as “common throughout” the state and “the second hawk in [terms] of numbers.” While kestrels can still be spotted on power lines and snags in open areas across Maine today, their numbers have declined in recent decades.

The results of Maine’s second Breeding Bird Atlas (2018–2022) suggest that kestrels have retracted from parts of southern Maine, including coastal sections of the Midcoast Region.

The causes behind the decline of kestrels in Maine are not fully understood but likely include habitat loss, pesticide exposure, increased predation, and competition for nesting sites. As secondary cavity nesters, kestrels rely on natural tree cavities or those excavated by woodpeckers, but they readily use nest boxes. These boxes not only support kestrel populations, but also allow researchers to monitor breeding behavior more easily.

In response to population declines, the Maine Natural History Observatory (MNHO), in partnership with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), is expanding our kestrel nest box monitoring efforts as part of the Maine Kestrel Project. Working in collaboration with Mid-Coast Audubon, MNHO has launched an expanded monitoring effort focused on the Midcoast region. Expanding nest box efforts will benefit kestrels by increasing available nesting sites and providing researchers with valuable information about breeding success. These insights will help shape future management and conservation actions for Maine’s kestrel populations. With dedicated effort and community support, we hope to slow or even reverse the downward trend of kestrels in the Midcoast.