In partnership with the Sharon Audubon Center, our fifth-grade science classes installed an American Kestrel bird box at the foot of our mountain.

The tiny but mighty American Kestrel is a falcon species of special concern in Connecticut, with loss of habitat being the main cause of its decline. They prefer to nest in open fields, which are rapidly decreasing due to human development of rural areas. Our fifth graders, under the guidance of their science teacher, Sarah Hyland, spent this school year studying ecosystems and the importance of environmental conservation. The construction of this box was a hands-on learning opportunity for our students to make an immediate ecological impact.

Full of hope, our fifth graders closely monitored the box this spring, waiting for a pair of kestrels to find it and turn it into their home. After weeks of observation, students spotted a kestrel flying over campus. They raced down to the foot of the Mountain to check the box. Under the guidance of Sharon Audubon Center volunteers, the group opened the box and was thrilled to find not one, not two, but FIVE eggs clustered together in the nest!

Moments after students counted the eggs, a kestrel swooped over their heads, giving a protective cry. Our fifth graders were gleeful and proud, knowing that the goal they had set for themselves had been accomplished. The kestrels had found their new home amongst our Falcons.

Early this summer, the Audubon Center team returned and confirmed that four of the eggs hatched. We are grateful for the partnership with Sharon Audubon Center, and we hope to see our new kestrels flying over campus next school year.