UNT doctoral student Kelsey Biles conducted research on wintering American Kestrels in Denton County, including birds at LLELA. Kestrel populations have been in decline, and while researchers believed the cause of the decline was occurring on the birds' wintering grounds (including in Texas), little research had been done on the subject. Biles' study asked three questions:

• What factors are related to kestrel survival within and between winter seasons and site fidelity in North Texas?
• Which of the two most common methods (leg-loop and backpack harnesses) is most effective for attaching migration tracking devices to American Kestrels?
• What are the potential benefits of pairing behavior exhibited by American Kestrels during the winter in North Texas?

Kelsey Biles dissertation defense (pdf)