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Thread: Swallow Tailed Kite

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
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    Horry, SC
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    5,516

    Default Swallow Tailed Kite

    F676F19C-F938-4046-BCF8-74ED524C2979.jpg

    Terrible iPhone pic but watched this guy soar over one of my fields today.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    Ballard's Landing
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    They really are aptly named.

    I’ve seen 2 gliding with the Mississippi cousins over the house in the past month.
    Be proactive about improving public waterfowl habitat in South Carolina. It's not going to happen by itself, and our help is needed. We have the potential to winter thousands of waterfowl on public grounds if we fight for it.

  3. #3
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    Jan 2003
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    Petaluma CA / Moncks Corner SC
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    I had one circling the house here in Pimlico a couple mornings ago. Closest I’ve ever been to one. I swear when I first saw him I thought he had just taken off from the field next to the house.
    Living in Moncks Corner but looking forward to moving back to the West Coast in 2020 where there are more ducks and less duck hunters!! LOL

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
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    SC
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    536

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    See them regularly here around Mingo creek. Saw 35 at one time a week ago over an big hay field. I’m sure some of both types


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    1,034

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    I used to see them at Palmetto Gun Club fairly frequently
    Never confuse enthusiasm for capability

  6. #6
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    Nov 2007
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    Newberry SC
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    I see them every time I cut 2 of my hayfields

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    1,439

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    Had one get a green snake out of a live oak in the yard last week. They and the Mississippi kites show up over the yard most afternoons this time of year . Mississippi kites eating dragonflies.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Columbia
    Posts
    3,933

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    I wasn’t sure what I was seeing when I watched one cruising the hedgerows in the Congaree Swamp about 7 years ago. Cool birds.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    mt pleasant
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    4,017

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    Had 2 on my lease during turkey season. First time I had ever seen one and really hadn't ever paid much attention, but I knew what I was looking at the first time I saw one. Like Bog said, very aptly named.
    "Never Trust a Skinny Chef."

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Hack Swamp
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    I see more every year, starting in the beginning of April this year. I don't know if it is because I pay attention or there are more migrating up to SC. A lot in Georgetown County.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
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    2,152

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    I’ve seen more over the past 4-5 years.

    Had 2 over the house Saturday


    Do any of y’all report your sightings?

    https://stki.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/

    I’ve always been a little hesitant
    "To the sensitive gunner nothing can equal a bird and a dog and a gun in trilogy."
    George Bird Evans

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    Summerville, SC
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    I had a pair of Mississippi Kites nest in the tall trees around my house in Summerville for years. They usually showed up in early summer and stayed for a few months.
    I always enjoyed seeing and hearing their calls in the morning.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Flo. County
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    425

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    Quote Originally Posted by MDman View Post
    I’ve seen more over the past 4-5 years.

    Had 2 over the house Saturday


    Do any of y’all report your sightings?

    https://stki.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/

    I’ve always been a little hesitant
    Back 4 or 5 years ago when i first started noticing them I reported every one I saw. I was really interested to see the data, so I clicked that box every time for them to include me on the email list for the information. After 3 years running of them never sending me any information and the birds seemingly increasing in number, I quit submitting my sightings.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Hack Swamp
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    I report them and haven't received any updates either. They have a Facebook page that will occasionally post links to publications and information.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Charleston
    Posts
    304

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    Them sumbitches ride on the breath of the Lord, and it makes my heart swell up in my chest to see one.

  16. #16
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    May 2012
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    2,885

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    See them often on the club in FMNF, and have seen some in Mars Bluff.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
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    Fountain Out
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    28,444

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    A flock of these kites has moved in on a field that’s on my drive to and from work in the upstate. Probably a half dozen of them. I dang near run outta the road watching them. Never seen any in the upstate before
    I don't need my name in the marquee lights....

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    47,886

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    great story, mergie
    Ugh. Stupid people piss me off.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Fort Kickass
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    Have a pair that nest in a pine on my river bank every year.

    I always geek out when I see them. My kids are starting to roll their eyes when I stop the boat, or truck to look at them.
    "Rivers and the inhabitants of the watery elements are for wise men to contemplate and for fools to pass by without consideration" -Izaak Walton

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Ballard's Landing
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    Where is your riverbank?
    Be proactive about improving public waterfowl habitat in South Carolina. It's not going to happen by itself, and our help is needed. We have the potential to winter thousands of waterfowl on public grounds if we fight for it.

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