Form to report Swallow-tailed Kites – 15 July to 5 August, 2021
Every year since 1989, ARCI has conducted systematic aerial surveys to count Swallow-tailed Kites at more than 15 large pre-migration roosts during a 10-day window in late July. These roosts, some of which hold up to 4,000 birds, provide an extremely rare and valuable opportunity for long-term population monitoring of this population.
Pre-migration roosts are places where Swallow-tailed Kites gather for the night after their nesting responsibilities are over, but prior to departure on their southbound migration. These night roosts also serve as jumping-off points for daily foraging flights, for which Swallow-tailed Kites usually travel in small flocks. In these ways, individual kites benefit by having a safe place to sleep (more eyes and ears to detect predators) and also from what they can learn from each other about good foraging opportunities over the surrounding landscape, which may shift in location over periods of days and even hours. Knowing the most productive places to feed allows the kites to gain weight rapidly and prepare themselves for their imminent 5,000+ mile southbound migration, which begins with a very dangerous 450 to 600-mile flight over open ocean to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
From years of conducting these carefully designed aerial photo surveys, we are confident that we are probably counting most of the Swallow-tailed Kites that nest and hatch in Florida each breeding season, and at least two-thirds of the individuals associated with nests across the seven southeastern states that represent the current United States breeding range of this species.
However, we know that we are missing kites that are NOT using these large roosts as pre-migration staging areas. This is why it is so valuable to have YOUR help in counting Swallow-tailed Kites during this same time period (15 July to 5 August, 2021_.
Form to report Swallow-tailed Kites – 15 July to 5 August, 2021
Some of you may be able to see kites right in your neighborhood. Others may know of or suspect good observation locations within driving or paddling range, where you can search for roosting and foraging kites. It is best to locate and count the kites before 10am.
Please be extremely careful not to disturb or flush any roosting kites. Even one such intrusion might discourage individual kites from returning to a well-known and favored roost sight where they can sleep safely and, in effect, share information about productive feeding areas, which are critically important to their health and safety during the long over-water first leg of their arduous southbound journey. If any kites suddenly rise up in energetic flight, or even if they just call at you or seem to continually look alert in your direction, please assume you are too close and back off immediately.
To contribute to our growing community database of Swallow-tailed Kite sightings during this very special time of year please report the date, time, location, number, and behavior of kites you see with this 2021 Swallow-tailed Kite Population Monitoring Survey form. The form is responsive to your smart device, so you can even report from the field!
We are very grateful for your valuable help monitoring Swallow-tailed Kite population trends!
-The ARCI Team
Special thanks to the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society and Fred Lohrer, in memory of Charlotte Lohrer, for funding our aerial roost surveys.
Seem to be seeing less kites this year, but still watching for them! I live in north Tampa am we have seen 1 in our neighborhood and driving north of here. Will be happy to help with the count
First sighting this year Morriston FL 7-13-21, mid afternoon, looks like feeding behavior, maybe 5 or 6 kites.
Have 2 swallow tailed kites near my home, there is a lake at Aurantia and Meadow Green Rd, Mims, FL. They must have a nest in the area there. They swoop around my home a few times a week.
The first week of July, here in NE Ocala FL, we seen flocks several times in the evening. They were just flying around, probably 20+ birds. I was astonished, as I have never seen them fly like this, only in pairs usually.
We’ve been seeing them in Orange Park FL for a few weeks now. Normally one or two in mid afternoon-early evening. Just saw one yesterday 7/18 at 1:30 pm with a bat in its talons eating it mid air. First time witnessing them eat. We always see them circling tree tops and taking swipes but first time with its catch.
I seen 4 kites flying above our house yesterday 7/18/2021
Sorry forgot to mention whereabouts. Okahumpka, FL
5 in our yard in crystal river this am. One stayed for awhile on a branch and another one would fly in and then leave.
They were loud!
Brooksville, Florida. We live in the country and for the last 2 months we have seen ST kites nearly every day circling over our property, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. I have not seen them roost in my area.
Several spotted circling over my house, early evening, in Wellborn, FL about 3 days ago.
Live on the Suwannee River a mile or so up river from Nobles Ferry bridge. There appears to be a breeding pair nesting across the river. In the last couple of weeks another bird is
with the pair. Their adolescent baby?
I suggest you get data from this period from Ebird.org which is designed for projects like yours.
Saw five 07/21 in Seville, Fl, east of Lake George. That’s the most I have seen together at one time but have not seen them roosting.
7/20/2021, we saw two kite tails in Orange Park FL about 5:30 pm. They started circling low and went higher and higher until we could no longer see them.
I routinely see a pair in flight above US98 between SR363 (Woodville Hwy) and SR365 (Shadeville Hwy) in Wakulla County. July 2021
We’ve seen a few this season in Sebastian,Fl. Usually in pairs. Also witnessed a group in Lake Placid this week. Amazing. First time I saw one I immediately searched for them online. I enjoy watching them soar effortlessly and graceful.