Date: 11/30/25 10:04 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Why cherry growers are turning to a tiny predator for help
I sent this article and the question regarding how to keep the starlings out of the kestrel boxes to a recently retired professor friend from TWU in BC who lives and farms in Whatcom County. She’s been working on this project for approximately 20 years. I’ve included her comments below:
“The linked article out of Michigan State University is from my collaborator Catherine Lindell. Cherry growers there, and in E Washington, have enthusiastically embraced kestrel nest boxes as a solution for quite a few years now.
We have definitely seen some starlings move into our boxes locally over the years. Climbing up to oust the eggs (or young) is no picnic. However, one can also just block the box entrance for a year if no kestrels seem interested. If kestrels are around and want the box, they will oust the starlings themselves.
It is worth mentioning that ½ mile between boxes is rather arbitrary. It all depends on the quality of the habitat, and resulting food that kestrels can obtain for their young in that vicinity. Here in Whatcom County, dairy pasture is ideal habitat with plenty of voles, insects, and birds.”
Don Aupperlee, DVM
Lynden, Washington
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Steve Hampton via Tweeters
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2025 4:27 PM
To: <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Why cherry growers are turning to a tiny predator for help
They don't mention how they keep the starlings out of the kestrel boxes. It is such a problem that the guidance I have read simply says, "don't put up kestrel boxes if there are starlings around." The solution is to check the box every week and then eject the starlings. This is rather onerous, especially because kestrel boxes are typically situated quite high.
I'd love to put up a box or two at a certain place (they recommend 1/2 mile apart from each other), but until I find a better solution, I'm holding off.
On Sun, Nov 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM Gene Beall via Tweeters <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...> > wrote:
