Habitat and potential prey surrounding lesser kestrel Falco naumanni colonies in central Turkey

Habitat and potential prey around 21 settlements with lesser kestrel Falco naumanni colonies and nine without in central Turkey were sampled in July 1994. The results suggested that lesser kestrel colonies were most commonly associated with dry and wet grasslands. Lesser kestrel colony size was also correlated with lizard numbers, and these may be an important prey. Further research on feeding ecology is important. The conservation of remnant dry and wet grasslands and marshes is a priority. The value of conservation headlands because of the prevalence of short-rotation arable agriculture should be investigated.