Jeaga #1, a GPS-tracked Swallow-tailed Kite is back in Palm Beach County, Florida! She is the latest of the GPS-tagged kites tracked by ARCI to make the northbound trip to the breeding grounds.
The route she took was “text book” – waiting a day on the tip of Quintana Roo, Mexico for that safe tailwind to carry her north across the Gulf of Mexico all the way to Lafourche, Parrish of Louisiana. Arriving on April 6 after a 46-hour overwater crossing, she spent a few hours in the middle of the night on Timbalier Island before heading to the mainland. From there she wiggled her way through the Gulf States through New Orleans, and over the Mobile Delta, lingering in pastures and swampy lands and feeding along the way. Nights were often spent within the shelter of forested wetlands.
She hugged the coast of Florida’s Big Bend region through national wildlife refuges, state parks and wildlife management areas. She continued down Florida’s west coast until reaching the Caloosahatchee River where she started east through Big Cypress National Preserve, the northern Everglades, and Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
After this nine-day Gulf Coast tour, Jeaga #1 returned to her former north Palm Beach County nesting site on 15 April.
We are glad she made it back safe.
Well wishes for an excellent nesting season for all Swallow-tailed Kites! We will keep you posted on the movements of GPS-tagged kites tracked by ARCI as we continue to follow them through their breeding cycle.
We are grateful to our partnership with Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) and Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, in conjunction with long-time Zoo sponsor Florida Power & Light Company, who have generously provided funding for the solar-powered GSM-GPS transmitters needed to continue this vital conservation effort.
Just took pics of one here in Moultrie GA!!