Swallow Tailed Kite - Third Times The Charm! Friday 8-14-26

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

Bob Erickson & I had gone to look for the Kite twice at Stoney Ford
Canoe Launch once in the morning & once in the afternoon & failed both
times. But yesterday it was seen at a new location which was Mount
Auburn Cemetery. So off we went again & arrived at the cemetery at
about 10:15 am. Thanks to Scott Latimer we knew where to look & Scott
stayed to make sure we got to see the Kite which we did as it flew
around the area for about one hour. Had great looks & I am glad we
made trip #3. There must have been 12-15 birders present looking for
the Kite.

Other birds seen included one Osprey & one young Bald Eagle which
ended up being chased repeatedly by the Osprey. Later Steve Huggins
picked out a Merlin at the top of a tree which we also looked at on
the way out. The only other birds I saw were Chimney Swifts & Eastern
Bluebirds.

Thanks also go to the railroad workers who fixed a down gate so we
could finally be on our way after a delay on the way there.

So only 6 species at the cemetery plus 4 roadside additions for a
small total of 10 for the day.
Bird-Of-The-Day to the Kite & Runners-Up to the Osprey, the Eagle & the Merlin.

License Plate Of The Day to one from Utah seen on the way home.

Al Stokie
In Cook County again today