GPS-tracked Swallow-tailed Kite “Suwannee II”, cruises to Honduras.

On 5 July, after a successful breeding season on the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Suwannee II headed north to Georgia, spending time on the Altamaha and Savannah Rivers for 18 days for some pre-migratory preparation. She returned south to the Refuge on 23 July and visited areas around her nest site once again. She continued south on 31 July and after four more days and nights in the Florida Peninsula, she took off from Cape Sable in the Everglades on 4 August to western Cuba. On the morning of 5 August, she flew off across the Gulf of Mexico to Puerto Morelos, Mexico.  She stayed in Quintana Roo, Mexico ten more days until continuing south where she is now in Honduras.

A big thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and the interest of the Refuge for supporting this Swallow-tailed Kite research. And a big thanks to Nicole Jones and Nonamé the Great Horned Owl from the Avian Reconditioning Center for all their help in the safe and efficient capture of Suwannee II.