ATHOL – Volunteers with the Athol Bird & Nature Club (ABNC) recently constructed new homes – for the birds.

The two nest boxes were installed – one in Orange and one in Winchendon – specifically for the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). Also known as the “sparrow hawk,” the American kestrel is the smallest and most widespread falcon, but its population has been steadily declining over the last several decades, according to ABNC President David Small.

“They require open fields to hunt in. They hunt small birds, small rodents, grasshoppers and other small insects,” Small said. “They were most prevalent during the period when we had open farmland everywhere. The loss of those farms has reduced a lot of their primary habitat.”

In addition, said Small, the American kestrel suffers from a lack of good nesting opportunities. He explained the small falcon would generally find openings in trees around the perimeter of open farmlands. The loss of farmland, coupled with the clearing of trees, has made it difficult for the bird to find suitable nesting spots.

“So we’re putting these boxes on the remaining suitable habitat so that we can pick up the population,” Small said.

According to a release from the ABNC, “Team Falcon” members Jeff Johnstone, Ernie Leblanc, Bob Mallet and Small procured the posts and hardware, and the boxes were provided by ornithologist Drew Vitz of the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. The team will monitor and maintain the nest boxes.

“The team wishes to thank the support of Peter Jones and the Seaman Paper Company staff for providing a nest box location at their campus in Orange, adjacent to the Orange Municipal Airport,” the release stated. “The second site was chosen with the cooperation of Tod Olanyk Central District Supervisor for the Mass Division of Fish and Game at the Birch Hill Wild Management Area in Winchendon.”

According to Small, the sites provide excellent hunting habitat required by the falcons and the team may put up another one near the airport.

“We’re also looking at putting another one up in Birch Hill,” Small said. “Other people are putting them up around the Quabbin (Reservoir); there are quite a few that are up. Around the area, the East Quabbin Land Trust in Hardwick has been putting up a lot of the boxes.”

Small said any area resident who owns farmland or open fields and would like to have a nesting box mounted on their property can contact the Athol Bird & Nature Club at 978-413-1772 or email Dave@atholbirdclub.org.

“The team was pleased to observe a young American Kestrel hunting along the airport fields at the Seaman Paper location, a good omen for nesting success,” said the release.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.