RE: Florida Eurasian Kestrel!

["Harrold, Eric S" <esharrol@email.uncc.edu>]

 Josh and bird chasers,

Before you get too excited about the possibility of this bird having made
its way to central Florida all on its own, remember that Eurasian Kestrels
are propagated and flown as falconry birds in the US (although not many). In
fact, I know of a falconer in this state who purchased one and shortly
thereafter lost it in West Virginia a few years back. 
If it is indeed a falconry bird that was captive-bred, it should sport a
band on one of its legs. 

Eric Harrold
Charlotte, NC

-----Original Message-----
From: Joshua S. Rose
To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
Sent: 2/27/03 7:31 PM
Subject: Florida Eurasian Kestrel!

Hi C-birders,

Florida birder Robin Diaz just alerted me to the presence of a Eurasian
Kestrel in central Florida! The bird's identity has been confirmed, and
it will be a first state record once accepted by the FLorida BRC. It is
being seen in the Lake Apopka Restoration Area, formerly known as
Zellwood
among that area's birders; it's not too far from Orlando, and about 10
hours' drive from Durham according to MapBlast. Access to the area is
normally restricted - this is the same place where a bunch of
fish-eating
birds died right after they turned it from Sugarcane fields into
wetlands
due to built-up pesticides in the soil - but access has been arranged
for
anyone who can be there by 9 AM on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, with
potential extension into next week if the bird hangs around. I'll paste
the details from the Florida RBA below. Apparently, though, if you
arrive
after 9 AM, they won't let you in and you'll have to wait until the next
morning... (oh, and I note that the entry gate to reach this bird is at
the end of Lust Road; how appropriate!)

You know, there was a Eurasian Kestrel on Cape Cod in Massachusetts last
April, the first one for my former home state in over a century! And now
one in Florida; could it be the same bird? And if so, might it have
wandered through NC and somehow slipped past us? Might it wander through
again on its way north? (drooling sounds)

Good birding,

Josh


Joshua S. Rose
Duke University
Department of Biology (Zoology, R.I.P.)

jsr6@duke.edu
http://www.duke.edu/~jsr6/

Hotline: FLORIDA RARE BIRD REPORT
to report e-mail: BrianAhern@aol.com

ORANGE COUNTY
A 100% positively identified and confirmed female EURASIAN KESTREL has
been found at Lake Apopka Restoration Area. It is in a restricted area
but
birders will be allowed in Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Harold
Weatherman
of Land Management will escort birders into the area where the Kestrel
is.
Please meet promptly at 9am at the gate at the end of Lust Road. For
more
information about accessibility you may contact Harold at (352)
303-3007.
Directions: From 441 (Orange Blossom Trail) in Apopka turn south onto
SR-437. Follow SR-437 for several miles and Lust Rd will be on your
right.
If you reach Magnolia Park you have gone too far! Follow Lust Rd. all
the
way to where it ends at the gate and make sure to be there by 9am. If
the
Kestrel continues to be seen during the weekend, then most likely
controlled access to the location will continue in the same way during
the
next week. Pending acceptance this represents a first state record! (H.
Robinson & all). DeLorme p. 79