American Kestrels are the smallest of falcons. They hunt for insects and other small prey in open spaces, perching on wires or poles. They face into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place.

Ben Angwin found one overhead, soaring, at Gualala Point Regional Park.

Mel Smith found a female taking a bath in the birdbath at his place in Point Arena.

Kestrels are declining in parts of their range; you can help them by putting up nest boxes.

To hear the call of this falcon, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds You can also learn how to make a nesting box for these beauties at this link: https://nestwatch.org/?s=American+kestrel

Thanks to Ben and Mel for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It was a mostly cloudy day as rain is due in tonight. Tomorrow, Tuesday, should be rainy!