American Kestrel, Charlestown, NH on April 9, 2011.

Decline of American Kestrel in NH.

A high count today of eight birds in one field, the one and only Great Meadows in Charlestown, NH. Also a female which had been dead for quite some time — probably an early migrant that starved. If one considers that this species is in serious decline, then what must the numbers have been like in Great Meadows in earlier times. All but a couple grabbed a thermal about noon and disappeared north.