Posted by steve siegel on March 01, 2003 at 18:20:31:
The subtly alluring female Eurasian kestrel was seen by 93 birders this morning. Our very gracious host,Harold Weatherman, opened the gate just after eight and the bird was rapidly found on a utility pole. As with American kestrels, it was impossible to get close to this bird, and after an hour or so it left the road and entered the hinterlands, and by 10:30 it was so far away that even a scope couldn't pull out field marks. An added treat was a very cooperative Cassin's kingbird, that apparently has been hanging out for a while.
About a mile from the entrance is a one-lane bridge. Cross this and turn left, driving to the first cross road. Look for two red tractors. The kingbird hangs out in the field on the right as you approach the intersection.
Finding the kestrel area from the south is confusing. (Allow an extra half hour to be lost!)
One way to go is to take the turnpike just past the Turkey Creek service plaza and go north on toll road 429 (which is new, and not in Delorme). It's the Apopka-Ocoee exit. Go north to 441 (8 miles) then turn west a couple miles to 437. Turn left onto 437 and bear left at the T-intersection. Look for Boy Scout Road just after the road goes under Rte. 50. Boy Scout Road leads to Lust Road after a mile or so.