Suche
Mein Konto
Kestrel identification: A step for species protection in Wangen!
Gerhard Lang rings young kestrels in Wangen for species conservation research. A settlement project has been running since 2021.
Kestrel identification: A step for species protection in Wangen!
A remarkable campaign to ring young kestrels is currently taking place in Wangen in the Allgäu region. Gerhard Lang from NABU Wangen recently ringed five chicks in an incubator. This measure is used to identify the birds if they are later spotted. The aim of the project is to collect valuable information about the distribution and behavior of kestrels, which have been threatened in Germany over the last 30 years. As schwaebische.de reports, a number of 58 chicks have already been ringed before fledging since 2023, but so far none of these ringed birds have been seen back.
The project to settle kestrels in the old town towers of Wangen has existed since 2021. The first ringing took place in the attic of the Knöpfler couple in Humbrechts, where a nesting box has been in operation for three years. It has been found that kestrels typically settle within 150 kilometers of their birthplace. Female kestrels spend 90% of their time brooding, while males provide food.
Occurrence and challenges of kestrels
The kestrel is one of the most common birds of prey in Germany, but populations have declined noticeably over the last three decades. The reasons for this are the loss of suitable breeding grounds and a reduced food supply due to changes in land use. To draw attention to this problem, NABU declared the kestrel bird of the year in 2007. In a comprehensive message, nabu-schwedt.de mentions that a total of 14 nesting boxes for kestrels have been installed in Schwedt and the surrounding area, five of which are currently occupied. Over the years, 61 young falcons have been raised in the region.
The species protection project in Wangen aims to create new breeding grounds for kestrels. Nesting boxes were installed at strategically important locations such as the Pfaffenturm, Pulverturm, Martinstor, Ravensburger Tor and on the salt silo. A pair recently bred for the third time in Martinstor and laid seven eggs. All data collected from the ringing will be sent to the Radolfzell Bird Observatory in order to further deepen knowledge about these fascinating birds.
A special highlight will be the reporting in the SWR state show on June 5th, where the ringing of the kestrel chicks will be reported. For those interested, there is also a live stream from the kestrel nest in the Ratloch Tower on YouTube, which offers a direct insight into the life of these impressive birds.