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~~ • • <br />Of the 96 nest boxes originally placed in this area during 1987, 87 remained intact and in <br />place for use during the 1988 nesting season. Eghteen Kestrel nests were available for <br />study of nest productivity. Only 1 Kestrel nest was within 0.5 miles of an application plot. <br />Therefore, no comparisons can be made between Veated and kbnVol areas for Kestrel <br />nesting success. Data on the overall breeding success of the American Kestrel are <br />presented. Thirty-eight Mountain Bluebird nests were also found; but since boxes were <br />checked ony near the end of the breeding season, data on exact number of eggs laid and <br />hatched, number of young fledged, and nest success are not complete. Only 1 nest box with <br />a Bluebird nest was within 0.3 miles of a cricket Veatment plot. No new next boxes were set <br />in this area. <br />Kestrel egg laying commenced for this area with the peak of nests having late May starts. <br />Nesting success was the highest an the Dinosaur National Monument area compared to the <br />other 3 sites for: percent of nests fledgling young, number of young fledged per successful <br />nest, and number of young fledged per nest attempt (see Table 1). Only young Kestrels <br />were banded in this area due to nest checks being made later in the season; 52 birds were <br />banded (24 females and 28 males). <br />TABLE 1 <br />NESTING PRODUCTNITY OF AMERICAN KESTRELS ON THE <br />MORMON CRICKET CONTROL AREAS DURING 1988 <br />REPRODUCTNE PARAMETERS <br />Nest attempts 17 <br />Gulch size 3.7 <br />% nests hatched' 88 <br />Hatchlings/nest 3.3 <br />9, nests fledged" 82 <br />No. fledged/suocessful nest 3.8 <br />No. fledged/nest attempt 3.1 <br />* Hatched nests: s1 egg hatched <br />" Fledged nests: s1 young fledged <br />5 <br />