The ideas presented on this Web site focus on providing kestrel nesting sites along Iowa’s state-managed and interstate highways, but they are applicable to any roadway with grassy rights-of-way and road signs.  If you’re interested in installing a box on a county roadway in Iowa, contact your local county engineer’s office. 

In addition, nest boxes can be easily mounted on wooden utility poles.  For safety and property rights reasons, do not attempt to mount a box on any utility pole without the express permission of the utility company.  Poles carrying electrical wires can be extremely dangerous.

Iowa’s American kestrel nest box program is entirely supported by volunteer resources.  This includes the cost to build and install the boxes.  The Iowa DOT’s role in the program is to:

·         Provide the public with educational resources pertaining to the American kestrel and Iowa’s nest box program;

·         Help volunteers identify existing signage that can be used for mounting nest boxes, that is also located within suitable habitat areas;

·         Determining a safe means in which to access the site;

·         Assist with mounting and removal of boxes placed on interstate road signs, if volunteer resources are not available to safely reach the installation height on the sign posts or metal banding equipment is unavailable;

·         Loaning safety vests to program participants;

·         Process applications from individuals or groups seeking permission to perform work within the state highway right-of-way, and involving the Federal Highway Administration when applications pertain to interstate roadways; and

·         Attempt to contact the owner of a nest box when the road sign it is mounted to is being removed, relocated, or replaced, that way the box can be recovered by the owner.

Before you start building your nest box, the Iowa DOT suggests you first learn all you can about American kestrels and other falcons.  A wealth of information is offered on this and other Web sites, as well in your local library. 

Once you’ve determined you’d like to get involved in Iowa’s American kestrel nest box program, contact one of the groups listed below to find out if they’re already doing something in your area that you can become involved in.

Previous program participants

Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Attention: Brenda Van Beek
11 Science II

Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-3221
515-294-3056

Department of Animal Ecology

Iowa State University
124 Science II, Ames, IA 50011-3221

Ph.  515-294-6148

Contact: Lyn VanDePol, Student Services Secretary, 

lvdp@iastate.edu

Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
Wildlife Diversity Program
1436 255th St. Boone, IA 50036-7557

Phone: (515) 432-2823
FAX: (515) 432-2835

Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation
PO Box 9
Dundee, IL 60118

Big Bluestem Audubon Society of Ames

John Pohlman, President

515-232-6816

E-mail: itsartjohn@aol.com

North American Bluebird Society, Inc.
The Wilderness Center
P.O. Box 244
Wilmot OH 44689-0244
Tel: (330) 359-5511
Fax: (330) 359-5455

Iowa Academy of Science

Iowa Science Foundation

James C. Walters, Chair

Dept. of Earth Science
121B Latham Hall
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls IA 50614-0335

Office phone: 319- 273-2707

E-mail: james.walters@uni.edu 

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Links to offices and services in Iowa

 Iowa birding, wildlife or conservationist societies (chapters of the National Audubon Society) or clubs:

Pat Wahl, President; phone 319-296-1749

Seeking Permission

The next step in placing a kestrel nest box along a roadway managed by the Iowa Department of Transportation is to obtain permission from your nearest DOT district office.

When you contact the district office, ask to speak to the field services coordinator.  This individual is available to assist you through the entire process, including identification of an acceptable sign(s) location, determining a way to safely gain access the site, explaining the conditions of the program, equipping you with a safety vest, and directing applicants to the engineering operations technicians responsible for processing Form 810028 “Application to Perform Work Within State Right-of-Way.”  An approved application must be granted  before installing a nest box on state-managed right-of-way.

When granted a permit to perform work within the state right-of-way, the applicant agrees to abide by the stipulations stated in the agreement.  Read the terms carefully and completely before making application and signing the agreement. 

One of the primary conditions affecting approval of the application is a long-term commitment to monitor and maintain the nest box.  Normally, this commitment extends from three to five years after box installation.  Either the applicant or a local governmental agency (who agrees in writing) must assume responsibility.  Typically, this involves three inspections of each box per year.

This commitment is essential to the program. Boxes that are not maintained can become a nesting site for the European starling.  An overabundance of starlings can be detrimental to Iowa’s eco-system. 

Iowa DOT District Contacts

District 1 Office
1020 S. Fourth St.
Ames, IA 50010
Phone:  515-239-1635
800-899-0623

District 2 Office

1420 Fourth St. S.E.

P.O. Box 741

Mason City, IA  50402-0741

641-423-7584

800-477-7584

District 3 Office

2800 Gordon Drive

P.O. Box 987

Sioux City, IA  51102-0987

712-276-1451

800-284-4368

District 4 Office

63200 White Pole Road

P.O. Box 406

Atlantic, IA  50022

712-243-3355

800-289-4368

District 5 Office

307 W. Briggs

P.O. Box 587

Fairfield, IA  52556-0587

641-472-4171

800-766-4368

District 6 Office

430 16^th Ave. S.W.

P.O. Box 3150

Cedar Rapids, IA  52406-3150

319-364-0235

800-866-4368  

Once you've taken the first steps and received the required permission, it's time to start building your nest box.  Click on this link for easy-to-build plans.