On 4 August, 2022 a GPS-GSM-tracked Swallow-tailed Kite named “Suwannee II” made a two-day crossing to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. After a nine-day rest in Quintana Roo, she continued south, over land to her winter destination.
Quickly flying by day and roosting by dark, she continued to move through Central and South America without much pause before arriving to Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil on 3 October, 2022. She has settled into a historic and frequently used area for the U.S. population of Swallow-tailed Kites. There is a good chance she is sharing these roost sites and foraging areas with thousands of other Swallow-tailed Kites.
How cool is that! Funds for the tracking units for both Suwannee Kites were provided by the Friends of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. We are grateful to the staff at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge for their support and interest in this research.
Really enjoy the updates on these fabulous birds, they are missed here in the Saddle Creek area and we look forward to their return in March. Keep up the good work.
Wild and Wondrous! Thank you for the work you do and for sharing Suwannee’s marvelous life.