I received this reply from Ken Meyer about the tagged Swallow-tailed Kite that
has been observed in Campbell County since 13 August. Thanks to everyone who
helped to solve this mystery.
Thelma Dalmas
Evington
Hi Thelma,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
We're quite sure here that the radio-tagged bird is one of 9 we marked as
nestlings in South Carolina in June of 2009. There are some transmitter
details, visible in one of Larry's pictures, that narrow it down to the
2009-2011 tagging period. We know by the plumage its not a young of this year
(i.e., not tagged in 2011). And a 1-year old kite (i.e., tagged in 2010) would
show conspicuous molt right now (learned from observations of other tagged
birds over the years). So, we're left with it being a 2009 bird. Of the 9
tagged in 2009, we found 3 alive this summer in the SC nesting area where they
were marked.
This is very good information for us to have. Thank you very much for the
initial report and for all your efforts, and those of others, to help figure
this out. Larry's excellent photo showing the transmitter was key.
Please feel free to post this. I'm copying only Larry here.
Thanks again.
Ken
