Can Londoners help count the capital’s kestrels?
Friday 6th May 2011
London Wildlife Trust has re-launched its pioneering urban Kestrel Count to celebrate the Trust’s 30th anniversary.
Kestrels live across London but where and how many do we have? London Wildlife Trust needs Londoners to get kestrel counting and tell them where they’ve seen these magnificent birds of prey at www.wildlondon.org.uk in order to help establish the city’s current population and where they live.
As a result of changes in the countryside surrounding London, the city has become much more important for wildlife. London Wildlife Trust launched its first Kestrel Count in 1988. This year’s survey will allow the Trust to build up a picture of any changes in kestrel numbers over the last 23 years. We know that their population in London declined during the 1990s, and the picture over the last decade has been unclear.
London Wildlife Trust is particularly keen to collect evidence of breeding activity and nesting.
In our original survey, kestrels were seen at some iconic tall buildings including the Tower of London, Palace of Westminster, St Giles Church in Covent Garden and at the Barbican. They were spotted in every borough with an estimated total of 400 pairs nesting in London.
Are kestrels still to be seen at these tourist hot spots, have they found new places to visit, or are they in decline? Spring has arrived so it’s a great time to get out and about, get kestrel counting and let London Wildlife Trust know what you see. And you don’t have to be an expert to take part. Go to www.wildlondon.org.uk to find out how to identify a kestrel. It’s easy and fun too!
London Wildlife Trust is particularly keen to collect evidence of breeding activity and nesting. This will feed into work carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology compiling the latest national bird atlas for Britain and Ireland.
Mathew Frith, Deputy CEO of London Wildlife Trust, says:
‘We hope as many people as possible will contribute to our Kestrel Count 2011. Their presence in London is indicative of the quality of natural habitats we have – especially grasslands and brownfields - and if they are in decline it will highlight what measures we need to take to ensure their future survival.
'London Wildlife Trust has worked to look after London’s nature – with the help of an army of committed volunteers - for 30 years, and Kestrel Count is one of the ways we are celebrating our 30th anniversary. We hope Londoners will celebrate our 30th anniversary with us by helping us find out more about this fascinating bird of prey and securing its long-term residence in the city.’
How to be an urban Kestrel Counter
Kestrels are orangey-brown and about the same size as a pigeon. They can look like pigeons when in flight, but the following will help you to positively identify it:
Is it hovering? Kestrels are the only town birds which hover for more than a second or two, they hang almost motionless with tail fanned out.
What shape are its wings? In flight a kestrel’s pointed wings look longer than its body.
What shape is its tail? In flight a kestrel’s tail looks longer than its body.
ENDS
For more information contact Kate Symonds or Catherine Harris on press@wildlondon.org.uk - 07834 867 420
Kestrel pictures available
Story by London Wildlife Trust