![]() ![]() So we decided to head to the Millet Road, our westernmost destination first - the location that Buddy had said he had found the "motherload" of kites. Even as we reached Allendale, the drizzle continued but the skies appeared lighter to the west. We knew that the birds would not begin flying if they were drenched. The weather report was more promising than the morning rain that we drove through. Thanks Buddy! Your report was the best! Carl printed off the maps along with notes and we chose our route. If interested, you can read about that adventure in this series of blog posts, Thanksgiving in Florida Nets us 6 Life Birds - Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.įor our planning purposes for this foray, we used Buddy Campbell's very detailed eBird report from 2012 which we found using this tool. ![]() As a matter of fact, we used this tool to help us find Snail Kites, Limpkins, Magnificent Frigate Birds, a Long-Billed Curlew (among others) in our vacation last year to the Tampa area. This Range Map tool has served us well now on multiple occasions in our attempts to locate a specific species during our travels. Screen capture of eBird range map showing links to our checklists from Jobtained by clicking on the flag - Click on the image for a larger, more legible version Image provided by eBird ( and created August 1, 2013Īside: All of the red markers designate sightings within the last 30 days. Screen capture of the eBird range map for Swallow-taile Kites sightings - Click on the image for a larger, more legible version Image provided by eBird ( and created August 1, 2013 By clicking on each location flag, we could access individual eBird reports giving us the numbers of STKI seen, the date, the observer's notes as well as GPS coordinates! With this tool, we were able to zoom in on all the sightings of STKI in the Allendale area. Prior to our departure, we researched others' observations to find the best locations for viewing the Swallow-tailed Kites (STKI) using eBird Range Map tool. Thus, this past weekend, decision made, we were going to Allendale. In this news release, DNR encourages individuals to report sightings of Swallow-Tailed Kites to help scientists monitor their distribution and to identify their breeding and foraging sites so that they may design and implement conservation plans.Ĭarl and I were aware of this summertime "kite show" near Allendale, SC but we had never seen it. You can read more about the life history of and conservation efforts for the Swallow-Tailed Kite in South Carolina in this Department of Natural Resources (DNR) article. Sightings of Swallow-tailed Kites are of critical interest to wildlife biologists as this species is listed as endangered in our state and is a species of highest concern throughout its North American breeding range. Populations in the eastern states are less dense than in other areas where they actually nest in colonies. ![]() In most of its range in the United States, the Mississipi Kite population is believed to be stable or increasing though in some areas it is listed as endangered. ![]() Mississippi Kite - near Allendale, SC - July 28, 2013īoth species can be seen during the nesting season in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Swallow-Tailed Kite - near Allendale, SC - July 28, 2013 It is a spectacle to behold - a birder's delight - to watch these flocks feed over the fields! In this period of post-breeding dispersal, hundreds of Swallow-Tailed and Mississippi Kites converge to this area of our state to feed on a horde of dragonflies and other flying insects. Swallow-Tailed Kites over fields of Allendale, SC - July 28, 2013Įvery summer from mid-July to mid-August, the kite show begins over the cow pastures of Allendale, South Carolina. ![]()
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