To recap, Avian Research and Conservation Institute is monitoring US-breeding Swallow-tailed Kites through remote GPS tracking as they migrate, gather to forage, and rest across the 5,000-mile migration corridor. We are learning what places the U.S. breeding population has relied on over the years and what has changed with the migration over time.
On 2 February 2022, a Swallow-tailed Kite called Jeaga #1 started north from her wintering location in Rondônia, Brazil. As we have learned over the last 20+ years of tracking northbound Swallow-tailed Kites, Jeaga #1 is right on time for departure from the winter range. Jeaga #1 had a nice compact winter activity range (about 15 miles in diameter) near Cerejeiras in Rondônia Brazil. As of 10 February, she is moving right along through Rondônia, Brazil, already 350 miles north of her winter range.
Jeaga #1 has been the only cellular system/GPS-tracked Swallow-tailed Kite for which ARCI has continuously received location data during this migration season. We started fall migration in August of 2021 with 11 GPS-tracked birds, many of which had transmitters that were nearing the end of their life expectancy. In addition, one of the 11 died in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (Ponchitolawa from Louisiana, tagged by Dr. Jennifer Coulson). The other kites are carrying devices with cellular technology that is now incompatible with the networks in Central and South America. We have been waiting patiently for the birds to move within cell-tower range and upload ALL the GPS location data collected since their last transmission.
Thank you, readers, for your interest in these Swallow-tailed Kites and the research conducted by Avian Research and Conservation Institute to inform management and protection of species-at-risk. We feel very fortunate to have this valuable tracking data, and we are very grateful to the many individuals and organizations who are making this research possible.
American Bird Conservancy (ABC)
bioGraphic
CROW – Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc.
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
Forest Investment Associates (FIA)
Friends of Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of Palmetto Bluff Conservancy
Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
International Paper (IP)
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
National Audubon Society
Orleans Audubon Society
Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management
Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society
Palmetto Bluff Conservancy
Resource Management Service (RMS)
Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation SCCF
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
St. Petersburg Audubon Society
The Avian Reconditioning Center for Birds of Prey
White Oak Forest Management
It seems pretty sad/shocking that the technologies in North versus Central/South America are no longer compatible. Hopefully this will be fixed soon??
Saw one soaring over an area of cutover pines 15 miles northwest of Dublin, Georgia four years ago. That`s the upper limits that I have observed one. The other two were just north and south of the Ga/Fla line near Thomasville. The first was in 1970 while in grad school at UGa and the last one was in 1977 on the way to Steinahatchee. Fla to fish for speckled sea trout.
We have been watching these amazing birds over our home for the past few years when they migrate in. One even chose to fly down around our pool area which was awesome to witness. There seem to be a very good count/number in this area when they are here and we always look forward to their arrival. Thank you for the continued research and communications. (Beech Island,SC)
Can’t wait to see these beautiful birds flying over Disney’s Animal Kingdom soon!
Used to watch for them over Saradota/ bobby Jones golf course area. Going yo keep a lookout this year. I understand “Sarasota” went missing last year. That’s the one I usually spotted.
I live in SW FL by the Picayune State Forest. I see them here in warm weather so am now excited to see them return. They are fascinating to watch glide seamlessly through the air.
I see a FB posting that they have FOS Swallow-tailed Kites over Naples now. What is the current Florida FOS?
Good question. We would have to look into the historic records. Typically the first or second week of February are the very early kites. Most return by mid-March.
2/25/2022
First sighting of 2022 spring – seen 1 mile east from 441 while driving on cr42.
So excited..
Alice Horst
Ebird Alert said one was seen 02/18/22 at Safety Harbor, Florida
Our property includes Cypress swamp near a large preserve. I have observed 17 plus birds gathering in the trees before migration in summer.
Love them
Thankyou for your dedication
Wow this is so great! Keep us in mind next July during our Swallow-tailed Kite population monitoring surveys and we would love to “count your kites”!
Single swallow tail kite of the year confirmed sighting over Six Mile Cypress in Ft Myers!
Watching for the flock!
Great spotting! Looking forward to more kites!
Just saw a swallowtail kite gliding close to the entrance of The Picayune Strand State forest entrance off Everglades Blvd!
First one I’ve seen this year. Gorgeous!
Just saw a swallowtail kite gliding close to the entrance of The Picayune strand Forest.
Saw a pair of swallow-tailed kites today over Turnbull Creek, New Smyrna Beach, FL
My family and I saw one swallow-tailed kite over Little Orange Lake in Alachua County on Saturday 2/26/22! So excited for their return!
Just saw one above my house swooping down into the top of a cabbage palm near entrance to Picayune Forest off Everglades blvd.
I’m in Fort Myers & in the past had a nesting pair in backyard/easement but the co came & cut their tree 3-4 years ago. But they have returned this year & are building their nest in a pine tree in my front yard! Have Watched a pair for several years feeding their clumsy fledgling
(always seemed to be just one). Beautiful birds as long as I don’t see them eating any more stolen baby crows. Mother Nature… 🙂 💕
Stella this is amazing! How lucky you are to have nesting kites nearby. Would you be interested and able to join our nest watch? It’s easy: https://www.arcinst.org/eyes-on-kites/
The Lee / Collier area gets many arrivals from South America. I always give them a big hearty welcome. My area doesn’t seem to do much as far as involving themselves in the tracking. Wish we did. Always wonder why they don’t fly over to Cuba and then North so they can rest. Maybe they do?
One more Swallowtail Kite I just saw gliding over my land near the Picayune Strand Forest off Everglades Blvd in east Naples , Florida.
Saw two today, 1 April 2022 in Holly Hill, South Carolina (40 miles north of Charleston)
Just saw my first couple today. March 20, 2023 in Delray Beach FL. So glad to have them coming back. They made a nest last year in the tops of several 60+ ft. pine trees two lots over.
Oh that is great! Would you like to keep track of the nest with our Eyes on Kites program? https://www.arcinst.org/eyes-on-kites
2024 Feb 24
Swallowtail bird sighting on 40 th Ave se close to Picayune Strand Forest