Flying Kites and Other Bird News

Our delightful little diving ducks, the Hooded Mergansers, left about a month ago for their homes up North, so there's not been too much excitement on our local ponds. Birding was on the verge of getting a little dull.  But today, cutting low sharp zig zags just above the tree line near West River Preserve, a Swallow-Tailed Kite.  The Kites are back in TT for their Spring breeding season! Last year I watched a whole family at their nesting site on the Golf Course, so will now be on the lookout once again for nest building.  Look for large stick nests in the tops of dead trees, not too far from water.  If you spot Kites this year, you can easily log on to: www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/swallowtail-kite.php to record your observations.  This web site also contains good information about this bird. There aren't that many Swallow-Tailed Kites in existence, so we're very lucky to have these marvelous birds so close at hand.  Happy birding!